American Football
SportsMonkie NFL Desk
The SportsMonkie NFL Desk explains American football — rules, positions, records and players — with a focus on making the game clear for new and seasoned fans alike.
Articles by SportsMonkie NFL Desk (119)
NFL MVP Winners (Most Wins and Recent List)
Peyton Manning holds the record with five NFL MVP awards. The recent winners by season plus every multiple winner, with the AP MVP explained.
Most Rushing Yards by a Quarterback (Career)
Lamar Jackson passed Michael Vick's 6,109 to become the NFL's all-time leader in career rushing yards by a quarterback, and is still adding to it.
Most Receiving Yards by a Tight End (Career)
Tony Gonzalez holds the record with 15,127 career receiving yards by a tight end. Full leaderboard with Witten, Gates, Kelce and Gronkowski, explained.
NFL Number One Draft Picks (Recent List by Year)
Cam Ward was the 2025 NFL number one overall pick, by the Titans. The recent year-by-year list of first picks, why QBs dominate, and the famous busts.
Most Consecutive Starts in NFL History
Brett Favre started 297 straight regular-season games, the NFL iron-man record. The full list, why it's untouchable at quarterback, and the streaks behind it.
The Best NFL Draft Picks Ever (Biggest Steals)
Tom Brady at pick 199 is the greatest NFL draft steal ever. A ranked look at the best value picks in history, from Bart Starr to Terrell Davis.
The Biggest NFL Draft Busts of All Time
JaMarcus Russell and Ryan Leaf top most lists of the biggest NFL draft busts. A ranked look at the high picks who never delivered on their draft slot.
Oldest Super Bowl Winner (Tom Brady at 43)
Tom Brady is the oldest player to win a Super Bowl, lifting the trophy at 43 in Super Bowl LV. See the full list of the oldest Super Bowl champions by age.
What Is the Lombardi Trophy? (Super Bowl Prize Explained)
The Vince Lombardi Trophy goes to the Super Bowl champion each year. Sterling silver, made by Tiffany & Co., and the winning team keeps it forever.
Most Passing Yards by a Rookie in a Season
Andrew Luck holds the NFL rookie record with 4,374 passing yards in 2012. Justin Herbert is second with 4,336. The full rookie passing-yards leaderboard.
Heisman Trophy Winners (Full List by Year)
Archie Griffin is the only two-time Heisman Trophy winner. The recent list of college football's top players by year, and who has won most, explained.
The 1972 Miami Dolphins' Perfect Season
The 1972 Miami Dolphins went 17-0, the only perfect season in NFL history. How they did it, the playoff run and Super Bowl VII, explained.
The 1976 Buccaneers' Winless Season
The 1976 Buccaneers went 0-14 as an expansion team, then 0-12 to start 1977 for 26 straight losses. How the winless season unfolded, explained.
The 2007 Patriots' 16-0 Season
The 2007 Patriots went 16-0, the first perfect regular season of the 16-game era, then lost the Super Bowl. The records they set, explained.
5-on-5 Flag Football Plays That Work
Simple, effective 5-on-5 flag football plays and route concepts for youth and adult leagues, from slants and mesh to flood and screens, explained clearly.
7-on-7 Flag Football: How It Works
7-on-7 flag football is a pass-only, no-contact format with seven players per side. Positions, lineups, defense and how to build a team.
Best Regular-Season Record in NFL History
The 2007 Patriots went 16-0, the best regular-season record in NFL history. The full list of perfect and near-perfect seasons, ranked and explained.
The Biggest Blowout in NFL History
The Bears beat the Redskins 73-0 in the 1940 NFL Championship, the biggest blowout in NFL history. The full leaderboard of the most lopsided games.
The Biggest Comeback in NFL History
The Vikings erased a 33-point deficit vs the Colts in 2022, the biggest comeback in NFL history. Bills-Oilers holds the playoff record. Full list.
The Browns' 0-16 Season (2017)
The 2017 Cleveland Browns went 0-16, matching the worst record in NFL history. How it happened, the 1-31 stretch and the fallout, explained.
The Detroit Lions' 0-16 Season (2008)
The 2008 Detroit Lions went 0-16, the first winless 16-game season in NFL history. How it happened, the fallout and the rebuild, explained.
Every Undefeated NFL Team, Explained
Only four NFL teams have gone a full regular season without a loss. The complete list of undefeated teams and how each one ended, explained.
Fastest 40-Yard Dash at the NFL Combine
Xavier Worthy ran a 4.21-second 40-yard dash in 2024, the fastest in NFL Combine history. The full leaderboard of the quickest times.
The Fastest NFL Players (Top Speed)
Tyreek Hill holds the fastest in-game speed of the Next Gen Stats era at 23.24 mph. The full leaderboard of the fastest NFL players, explained.
Flag Football Field Dimensions: 5v5 and 7v7
Flag football field dimensions for 5v5 and 7v7: the NFL FLAG 30 x 70 yard field, end zones, first-down lines and how high school sizes vary.
Flag Football vs Tackle Football
Flag football replaces tackling with pulling a flag and drops pads; tackle football is the full-contact game. Rules, safety and skills compared.
The Heaviest NFL Players of All Time
Aaron Gibson, listed at about 410 pounds, is the heaviest NFL player of all time. The full leaderboard of the NFL's biggest players, explained.
The Highest-Scoring NFL Game Ever
Washington beat the Giants 72-41 in 1966 for 113 combined points, the highest-scoring NFL game ever. The full leaderboard, explained.
The Highest-Scoring Super Bowl Ever
Super Bowl XXIX produced 75 combined points as the 49ers beat the Chargers 49-26, the highest-scoring Super Bowl ever. The full leaderboard.
How Do Fantasy Football Playoffs Work?
Fantasy football playoffs are a single-elimination bracket among the season's top teams, seeded by record. How they work on ESPN, Yahoo and Sleeper.
How Does Fantasy Football Work?
Fantasy football lets you draft real NFL players and score points from their real-life stats. Here is how drafts, scoring, and matchups work.
How Does the Waiver Wire Work?
The waiver wire is fantasy football's system for claiming free-agent players in a fair order, using either a priority list or a FAAB budget. How it works.
Keeper League Rules in Fantasy Football
A keeper league lets you retain a few players each year, usually at a draft-pick cost. How keeper rules work, and keeper vs dynasty leagues.
Longest Field Goal in NFL History
Justin Tucker kicked a 66-yard field goal in 2021, the longest in NFL history. The full leaderboard of the league's longest field goals.
Longest Losing Streaks in NFL History
The 1976-77 Buccaneers lost 26 straight, the longest losing streak in modern NFL history. The full list, from the Bucs to the Browns, explained.
The Longest Playoff Droughts in the NFL
The Jets own the NFL's longest active playoff drought at 15 seasons. The all-time record is 25, held by the Cardinals and Washington. Full list.
The Longest Touchdown in NFL History
The longest touchdown in NFL history is 109 yards, the maximum possible, achieved by Cordarrelle Patterson and Antonio Cromartie. Explained.
Most Interceptions in NFL History
Paul Krause holds the NFL career interceptions record with 81. The full leaderboard of the league's greatest ball hawks, explained.
The Franchises With the Most NFL Losses
The Arizona Cardinals have the most losses in NFL history with about 826, ahead of the Detroit Lions. The full leaderboard, explained.
Most NFL MVP Awards Won
Peyton Manning holds the NFL record with five MVP awards. The full leaderboard of the league's most decorated MVP winners, explained.
Most Passing Touchdowns in NFL History
Tom Brady threw 649 touchdown passes, the most in NFL history. The full leaderboard of the all-time passing TD leaders, explained.
Most Passing Yards of All Time (NFL)
Tom Brady threw for 89,214 passing yards, the most in NFL history. The full leaderboard of the all-time passing yards leaders, explained.
Most Passing Yards in a Single Game
Norm Van Brocklin threw for 554 yards in 1951, still the most passing yards in a single NFL game. The full single-game leaderboard, explained.
Most Points Scored in a Super Bowl
The San Francisco 49ers scored 55 points in Super Bowl XXIV, the most by any team in a Super Bowl. The full leaderboard, explained.
Most Receiving Yards of All Time (NFL)
Jerry Rice gained 22,895 receiving yards, the most in NFL history. The full leaderboard of the all-time receiving yards leaders, explained.
Most Receiving Touchdowns in NFL History
Jerry Rice caught 197 receiving touchdowns, the most in NFL history. The full leaderboard of the league's top TD receivers, explained.
Most Receiving Yards in a Single Game
Flipper Anderson caught 336 yards in 1989, still the most receiving yards in a single NFL game. The full single-game leaderboard, explained.
Most Rushing Yards in a Single Game
Adrian Peterson ran for 296 yards in 2007, the most rushing yards in a single NFL game. The full leaderboard of the biggest games ever.
Most Rushing Yards of All Time (NFL)
Emmitt Smith ran for 18,355 rushing yards, the most in NFL history. The full leaderboard of the all-time rushing yards leaders, explained.
Most Rushing Touchdowns in NFL History
Emmitt Smith scored 164 rushing touchdowns, the most in NFL history. The full leaderboard of the league's all-time rushing TD leaders, explained.
Most Sacks in NFL History
Bruce Smith recorded 200 career sacks, the most in NFL history. The full leaderboard of the league's all-time sack leaders, explained.
Most Super Bowl Appearances by a Player
Tom Brady played in 10 Super Bowls, the most by any player. The full leaderboard of the most Super Bowl appearances ever, explained.
Most Super Bowl Losses by a Team
The New England Patriots have 6 Super Bowl losses, the most ever. The full leaderboard of the teams with the most Super Bowl defeats.
Most Super Bowl MVP Awards
Tom Brady won 5 Super Bowl MVP awards, the most in NFL history. The full leaderboard of Super Bowl MVP winners, explained.
Most Super Bowl Wins by a Head Coach
Bill Belichick won 6 Super Bowls with the Patriots, the most by any head coach. The full leaderboard of Super Bowl-winning coaches.
Most Touchdowns in NFL History
Jerry Rice scored 208 career touchdowns, the most in NFL history. The full leaderboard of the league's all-time touchdown leaders, explained.
Most Touchdowns in a Single NFL Game
Ernie Nevers, Dub Jones, Gale Sayers and Alvin Kamara share the NFL record with 6 touchdowns in one game. The full leaderboard, explained.
The Most Valuable NFL Teams
The Dallas Cowboys are the most valuable NFL team, worth an estimated $10-11 billion, per Forbes 2025. The full leaderboard of the richest franchises.
The Winningest Coaches in NFL History
Don Shula won 347 games, the most by any NFL coach. The full leaderboard of the winningest NFL head coaches, including playoffs, explained.
Most Total Yards in a Single NFL Game
The 2023 Dolphins gained 726 yards vs Denver, the most total yards by a team in an NFL game, breaking the 1951 Rams' 72-year record. Explained.
Mr. Irrelevant: The NFL Draft's Last Pick
Mr. Irrelevant is the last player picked in the NFL Draft. Where the nickname came from, the Irrelevant Week tradition, and the most famous one of all.
The Oldest NFL Players in History
George Blanda played in the NFL until age 48, the oldest in league history. The full leaderboard of the NFL's longest-lasting players.
Onside Kick Rules: 2025 NFL Changes Explained
NFL onside kick rules under the dynamic kickoff: a trailing team must declare it, kick from the 35, and the ball must go 10 yards or be touched.
Roughing the Passer Rule Explained
Roughing the passer is an NFL penalty for illegal contact on the quarterback while he throws. What it covers, the 15-yard penalty and the debate.
The Tallest NFL Players of All Time
Richard Sligh, at exactly seven feet, is the tallest NFL player ever. The full leaderboard of the league's tallest giants, explained.
What Does ADP Mean in Fantasy Football?
ADP is Average Draft Position: the average spot a player is picked across many fantasy drafts. How to read it and use it to draft smarter, not blindly.
What Is a Bootleg in Football?
A bootleg is a play where the quarterback fakes a handoff, then rolls out to the opposite side to pass or run. How it works vs play action.
What Is a Dime Defense in Football?
A dime defense uses six defensive backs to stop the pass, one more than a nickel. How it works, where the name comes from, and dime vs nickel vs quarter.
What Is a Fair Catch in Football?
A fair catch lets a returner catch a punt or kickoff untouched by signaling first, giving up the return in exchange for protection from being tackled.
What Is a Good 40-Yard Dash Time?
A good 40-yard dash time depends on position: elite skill players run ~4.3s, while a solid all-round time is about 4.5s. Benchmarks by position, explained.
What Is a Handcuff in Fantasy Football?
A handcuff is the backup running back behind your fantasy starter, drafted so you keep the production if your starter gets hurt. The strategy explained.
What Is a Touchback in Football? Rules
A touchback is when the ball is dead in the end zone off the opponent. No points score; the receiving team gets the ball at a set yard line.
What Is Best Ball Fantasy Football?
Best ball fantasy football is a draft-only format with no weekly lineup decisions. How it works, scoring, roster strategy, and how it differs from classic fantasy.
What Is an RPO in Football? Run-Pass Option
An RPO is a run-pass option: one play where the QB reads a defender after the snap and decides to hand off or throw. How it works, explained.
What Is Holding in Football? Offense & Defense
Holding in football is illegally grabbing or restricting an opponent. Offensive holding costs 10 yards, defensive holding 5 yards and a first down.
What Is Intentional Grounding? NFL Rule
Intentional grounding is when a QB in the pocket throws away a pass with no receiver near to avoid a sack. The NFL rule, penalty, and why a spike is legal.
What Is PPR in Fantasy Football? Scoring Guide
PPR in fantasy football means point per reception: each catch is worth one fantasy point on top of yards and touchdowns, boosting pass-catchers' value.
What Is Superflex in Fantasy Football?
Superflex is a fantasy football lineup slot that can be filled by a QB, RB, WR or TE. Why it makes quarterbacks so valuable, explained.
What Is the Flex Position in Fantasy Football?
The flex is a lineup slot you fill with a RB, WR or TE of your choice. How flex works on ESPN and Sleeper, plus who to start in it each week.
NFL Franchise Tag Explained: Types and Costs
The NFL franchise tag lets a team keep a free agent for one guaranteed year. The exclusive, non-exclusive and transition tags explained, plus deadlines.
What Is the Wonderlic Test in the NFL?
The Wonderlic is a 50-question, 12-minute cognitive test the NFL long used at the Combine. What it measured, scoring, and why it's been phased out.
When Did the NFL Salary Cap Start?
The NFL salary cap started in 1994, tied to free agency and a new CBA. Here's the history, how the cap works, and why it shapes team-building today.
Worst Record in NFL History
The 2008 Lions and 2017 Browns both went 0-16, the worst records in NFL history. The full list of winless teams, ranked and explained.
The Worst Teams in NFL History
The 2008 Lions and 2017 Browns both went 0-16, the worst seasons in NFL history. The full list of the league's worst teams, explained.
The Youngest NFL Players in History
Amobi Okoye entered the NFL at 19, the youngest player to appear in a game since 1967. The leaderboard of the league's youngest players.
Highest-Paid NFL Coaches: 2026 Reported Pay
Andy Reid is the reported highest-paid NFL coach at about $20M a year. The catch: teams never disclose coach salaries, so every figure here is an estimate.
Highest-Paid NFL Players: Guaranteed vs Total
Highest-paid NFL players in 2025: why guaranteed money matters more than total contract value, Dak Prescott's $60m AAV, Josh Allen's record guarantee, Watson's outlier.
Most Rushing Yards in an NFL Season
Eric Dickerson holds the record with 2,105 rushing yards in 1984. Full list of 2,000-yard seasons, and why the 16- and 17-game eras don't compare cleanly.
Which NFL Team Has the Most Super Bowl Wins?
The Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots share the record with six Super Bowl wins each. Full team-by-team table, wins vs appearances explained.
Most Super Bowl Wins by a Quarterback
Tom Brady has the most Super Bowl wins by a quarterback with seven. The full list of multi-ring QBs, plus why starters and backups are counted differently.
NFL Cheerleader Salaries: Pay and the Lawsuits
What NFL cheerleaders actually earn — the per-game pay, the wage lawsuits that forced change (Raiderettes' $1.25M settlement), and which teams have no squad.
NFL Practice Squad Salary: What Players Make
NFL practice squad players earn $13,000 a week in 2025 (about $234,000 a season), with veterans negotiating up to $22,000. Full pay rules explained.
Free NFL Player Guessing Games: No Sign-Up, Unlimited
Which NFL player guessing games are actually free, need no account, and let you play unlimited? Checked live, including which ones let you replay past puzzles.
NFL Immaculate Grid: Rules, Rarity Score and Real Strategy
NFL Immaculate Grid gives you nine guesses to fill a 3x3 grid. How the rarity score really works, when the grid actually resets, and how to score lower.
How to Win NFL Player Guessing Games: A Strategy Guide
A real strategy for NFL player guessing games. Which opening guess splits the field, how to read each clue, and the guess order that gets you there in four.
NFL Wordle: Every Real Game in the Genre, Ranked
NFL Wordle isn't one game, it's a genre label. We checked every real one live: Weddle, Griddle, Word Fumble, NFLdle. Here's which one is worth playing.
17-0 Daily Challenge: How Shared Draws and Leaderboards Work
17-0's Daily Challenge and leaderboard features explained — how a shared daily draw turns a solo roster draft into something directly comparable.
17-0 vs 20-0: NFL Perfect-Season Games Explained
17-0 tracks a perfect 17-game NFL regular season, while 20-0 adds three simulated playoff wins. Here is exactly what changes between the two games.
17-0 Strategy Guide: How to Build a Roster That Actually Wins
How to approach 17-0's draft: why the quarterback-and-line combination matters more than any single skill pick, and when to spend a reroll.
17-0 Alternatives: NFL and Cross-Sport Roster Games
If you've played 17-0, here's how Ball IQ's NFL mode, play20-0, First Down Studio, and the wider perfect-season genre actually compare — and what to try next.
Do You Need an Elite Quarterback to Go 17-0?
The 1972 Dolphins won a real perfect season without a Hall of Fame passer. Here's what that means for how much a single quarterback pick actually determines in a roster-draft game.
How to Play 17-0: Rules and Draft Mechanics Explained
A step-by-step look at how 17-0's spin-and-draft mechanic actually works, position by position, from the opening spin to your final projected record.
Perfect-Season NFL Roster Games: 17-0 and 20-0 Explained
17-0, 20-0, and Ball IQ's NFL Ultimate Team let you draft an all-time NFL roster and chase an undefeated season. See how these perfect-season games work.
What Is 17-0? The Viral NFL Perfect-Season Roster Game, Explained
17-0 is a browser game where you draft an all-time NFL roster and see if it can run the table. Here's what it is and where the name actually comes from.
NFL Playoff Overtime Rules Explained
NFL playoff overtime rules guarantee both teams a possession, run full 15-minute periods, and keep playing until someone wins. Here's exactly how it works.
NFL Playoff Format Explained: How the Bracket Works
The NFL playoff format: 7 teams per conference, only 1 bye, and one reseeding step after wild card weekend. Straight from the NFL's own rules.
NFL Salary Cap Explained: How It Works and Why It Exists
The 2026 NFL salary cap is $301.2 million per team. See how it's set, why it began in 1994, and how teams manage cap space, proration, and dead money.
What Is a Two-Point Conversion in Football?
After a touchdown, a team can run one play from the 2-yard line for two points instead of kicking the extra point. Learn when and why coaches go for two.
What Is a First Down in Football? The 10-Yard Rule Explained
A first down gives the offense four attempts to move the ball 10 yards. Gain the 10 and you earn a fresh set of downs. Here's how the core rule works.
What Is a Hail Mary in Football? The Desperation Pass
A Hail Mary is a long, low-percentage pass thrown toward the end zone as time runs out, hoping a receiver comes down with it. Here's how the play works.
What Is a Pick Six in Football? Meaning and Origin
A pick six is an interception returned for a touchdown, worth six points for the defense. Here is where the term comes from and why it swings games so hard.
What Is a Safety in American Football? Rules and Scoring
A safety scores two points for the defense when the offense is tackled in its own end zone. Here is how it happens, what follows it, and why it is so rare.
Highest Paid NFL Kickers of All Time: Big Money for Specialists
The highest-paid NFL kickers of all time have earned tens of millions, proving how valuable consistent accuracy is in a league decided by single points.
NFL Players Who Became Pro Wrestlers: From Gridiron to Ring
A surprising number of NFL players have moved into pro wrestling. Meet the most notable gridiron stars who traded touchdowns for turnbuckles in the ring.
Biggest NFL Stadiums by Seating Capacity Ranked
The biggest NFL stadiums hold well over 80,000 fans and roar with the loudest atmospheres in sports. See the largest venues ranked by seating capacity.
Best NFL Long Snappers of All Time: The Invisible Specialists
The best NFL long snappers are so reliable you never notice them, yet one bad snap ends games. Here are the greatest and why the job is so demanding.
Most Successful American Football Teams in NFL History
The Patriots, Steelers, and 49ers rank among the most successful NFL teams ever by Super Bowl wins, conference titles, and sustained dominance.
Best NFL Fullbacks of All Time: The Unsung Workhorses
The best NFL fullbacks were elite blockers and versatile weapons who opened holes and protected quarterbacks. Here are the greatest to play the position.
Best NFL Nose Tackles of All Time
The best NFL nose tackles eat double teams, clog running lanes, and free up linebackers. Here are the greatest nose tackles in NFL history by impact.