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 (186)
20-0 Strategy Guide: How to Draft a Perfect Roster in SportsMonkie's 20-0
Build a flawless 20-0 roster by prioritizing the quarterback-receiver-line rounds, banking your 3 rerolls for era mismatches, and stacking the named chemistry bonuses that actually move your team rating.
Flawless Six Strategy Guide: How to Draft a Perfect NFL Roster
Win Flawless Six by chasing the +8 Perfect Coach Fit bonus and avoiding the -7 Coach-System Conflict penalty — match your five skill picks to your coach's preferred archetypes before you ever touch reroll.
Cover 2 Defense in Football: Rules, Alignment, and Weaknesses Explained
Cover 2 defense explained: two deep safeties split the field, five underneath defenders, strengths vs. deep passes, weaknesses in the middle, and the Tampa 2 twist.
Cover 3 Defense in Football: How It Works, Strengths & Weaknesses
Cover 3 defense explained: three deep defenders split the field into thirds while four underneath defenders play zone. Strengths, weaknesses, and how to beat it.
Cover 4 Defense (Quarters Coverage) in Football: Rules and Weaknesses
Cover 4 defense explained: four deep defenders split the field into quarters, pattern-match rules, run strengths, and how it differs from Cover 2/Cover 3.
Defensive Positions in Football Explained
Defensive positions in football fall into three groups: the defensive line (ends, tackles, nose tackle), linebackers, and the secondary (corners, safeties).
Offensive Positions in Football Explained: Every Role on the Unit
Offensive positions in football explained: QB, RB/FB, WR, TE, and the five offensive line spots (LT, LG, C, RG, RT) with duties and alignment.
Football Positions Explained: Every Offense, Defense & Special Teams Role
Football positions explained: every offense, defense, and special teams role in American football, what each one does, and how they fit together.
Football Referee Signals: The Complete NFL Hand Signal Chart
Football referee signals explained: touchdown, first down, holding, false start, pass interference, and every hand signal NFL officials use on the field.
I-Formation in Football: Alignment, Strengths, and Modern Use
The I-formation lines up QB under center with fullback and running back stacked behind him. See its alignment, strengths, weaknesses, and NFL use.
Illegal Formation in Football: The Full Rule Explained
Illegal formation in football is a 5-yard penalty for lineup violations at the snap: fewer than 7 on the line, misplaced eligible receivers, or covered players.
Man Coverage in Football: How It Works, Cover 0 vs Cover 1
Man coverage in football has each defender guard one specific receiver, not a zone. Cover 0 vs Cover 1, strengths, weaknesses, and how it differs from zone.
Match Coverage in Football: How Pattern-Match Defense Works
Match coverage is a zone/man hybrid where defenders read receiver routes and lock on man-to-man within zone rules. Full breakdown of pattern matching.
Football Formations and Coverages Explained: The Complete NFL Guide
Football formations and coverages explained: how NFL offenses line up, how defenses answer with zone and man coverage, and why each matchup wins or loses.
Pistol Formation in Football: What It Is and Why NFL Teams Use It
The pistol formation lines the QB ~4 yards behind center with the RB directly behind him, blending shotgun passing with a hidden run threat.
Press Coverage in Football: How Corners Jam Receivers at the Line
Press coverage in football is when a corner lines up at the line of scrimmage and jams the receiver at the snap to disrupt route timing.
Prevent Defense in Football: What It Is and Why Coaches Get Criticized for It
A prevent defense drops extra defensive backs deep to stop the big play late in a half, trading short completions for protection against a game-changing bomb.
Pro Set Formation in Football Explained: Alignment, Uses, and Fade
The pro set formation lines up the QB under center with a halfback and fullback side by side, two WRs, and a TE. Here's how it works and why it faded.
Quarterback Position in Football: Role, Skills, and Responsibilities Explained
The quarterback position leads the offense, calling plays, taking the snap, and throwing or handing off the ball. Learn the QB's full job in football.
Running Back Position in Football: Role, Skills & Types Explained
The running back position carries the ball, catches passes, and pass-blocks. Learn the halfback vs. fullback split, key skills, and top RB examples.
Safety Position in Football: Free Safety vs. Strong Safety Explained
The safety position in football is the deepest defensive back, splitting into free safety (deep coverage) and strong safety (run support) roles.
Shotgun Formation in Football: How It Works, Why Teams Use It
The shotgun formation lines the QB 5-7 yards back for a snapped pass. Learn its alignment, personnel, strengths, weaknesses, and history.
Singleback Formation in Football: How the Ace Set Works
The singleback formation lines up one running back behind a QB under center, no fullback, for balanced run-pass disguise. Full breakdown here.
Spread Offense in Football: Definition, Principles & History
The spread offense spreads receivers wide from shotgun to stretch defenses horizontally. Learn its principles, strengths, weaknesses, and NFL history.
Tampa 2 Defense Explained: How the Cover 2 Variation Works
The Tampa 2 defense explained: how it modifies Cover 2 by dropping the middle linebacker deep, why Tony Dungy and Monte Kiffin built it, and its strengths and weaknesses.
Tight End Position in Football Explained: Role, Skills, and Famous TEs
The tight end position in football is a hybrid blocker-receiver lined up beside the tackle. Learn its rules, responsibilities, skills, and top examples.
What Is a Cornerback in Football? Position, Role & Skills Explained
A cornerback in football is the defensive back who covers wide receivers in man or zone coverage. Learn the role, skills, and famous CBs.
What Is a Linebacker in Football? Position, Roles & Types Explained
A linebacker (LB) is a defensive player who lines up behind the line to stop the run, cover receivers, and blitz the quarterback. Full breakdown here.
Wide Receiver Position Explained: Role, Routes & Types
The wide receiver position is the primary pass-catcher split wide from the line; learn WR roles, routes, skills, and stats here.
Wildcat Formation in Football: What It Is and How It Works
The wildcat formation snaps the ball to a non-QB, usually a running back, while the QB splits out wide. Learn its rules, strengths, weaknesses, and history.
Zone Coverage in Football: How It Works, Shells, and Weaknesses
Zone coverage in football explained: defenders guard areas instead of players. Learn Cover 2, Cover 3, Cover 4, strengths, and soft-spot weaknesses.
12-Team Fantasy Football Draft Strategy
How a 12-team league changes fantasy draft strategy: tighter positional scarcity, thinner waivers, and round-by-round targets for a deeper league.
Dynasty Fantasy Football Explained
How dynasty fantasy football works: permanent rosters, annual rookie drafts, startup drafts, and how to build a contender for the long haul.
Fantasy Football Auction Draft Strategy
How to win a fantasy football auction draft: budget management, nomination tactics, finding value picks, and stars-and-scrubs vs balanced spending.
Fantasy Football Defense Scoring, Explained
How D/ST scoring works in fantasy football, why streaming defenses beats drafting one early, and what to target each week by matchup.
Fantasy Football Draft Strategy: A Complete Guide
A fantasy football draft strategy built on value-based drafting, positional scarcity and tiers, with when to draft each position and how to build a roster.
Fantasy Football Scoring Formats Explained
Standard, PPR, half-PPR and points-per-first-down scoring compared, plus how each format changes which players are worth drafting.
Fantasy Football Trade Strategy: How to Win Trades
How to evaluate and win fantasy football trades: buy-low and sell-high timing, 2-for-1s to consolidate, and valuing players on points over replacement.
Highest-Scoring Game in NFL History: Washington's 113-Point Shootout (1966)
Washington 72, NY Giants 41 on Nov. 27, 1966 is the highest-scoring NFL game ever at 113 combined points. Full ranked leaderboard of the top 14 games.
How Is Passer Rating Calculated? The NFL Formula
NFL passer rating comes from four capped components — completion %, yards, TDs, and INTs per attempt. Here is the full formula and a worked example.
Keeper vs Dynasty Fantasy Football: The Difference
Keeper vs dynasty fantasy football compared: how many players you keep, how each format works, roster commitment, and which one is right for your league.
Overtime Rules in the NFL: How OT Works (2026)
NFL overtime is a 10-minute period where both teams now get a possession. Regular-season OT can end in a tie; playoff OT plays until someone wins.
Passer Rating vs QBR: What's the Difference?
Passer rating is the traditional 0–158.3 box-score formula; ESPN's QBR is a 0–100 situation-adjusted metric that adds rushing. Here is how they differ.
PPR vs Standard Fantasy Football: Which Is Better?
PPR vs standard fantasy football compared: how each scores catches, who gains value in each format, and which one you should choose for your league.
Snake vs Auction Draft: Which Should You Choose?
Snake vs auction fantasy football drafts compared: how each works, the pros and cons, and which draft type fits your league and experience level.
What Is a Blitz in Football? The Defensive Gamble
A blitz in football is when the defense sends extra rushers — more than the usual four — to pressure the quarterback, trading coverage for speed to the passer.
What Is a Challenge Flag in Football? NFL Replay Rules
A challenge flag is the red flag an NFL coach throws to request an instant-replay review. Teams get two challenges, a third if both succeed, and lose a timeout if wrong.
What Is a Nickel Defense in Football?
A nickel defense uses five defensive backs instead of the usual four, swapping a linebacker for an extra cornerback to defend the pass on obvious passing downs.
What Is a QB Sneak in Football?
A QB sneak is a short-yardage play where the quarterback takes the snap and dives straight ahead behind the line for a yard or two, ideal on 3rd- or 4th-and-1.
What Is a Sack in Football?
A sack is when the defense tackles the quarterback behind the line of scrimmage before they can throw, losing yards for the offense. It's a key pass-rush stat.
What Is a Safety in Football? The 2-Point Score
A safety in football is worth 2 points, awarded to the defense when the ball carrier is downed in his own end zone. The conceding team then free-kicks from its 20.
What Is a Screen Pass in Football?
A screen pass is a short throw to a receiver or back behind or near the line, with blockers set up ahead, designed to beat an aggressive pass rush and gain space.
What Is an Eligible Receiver in Football?
An eligible receiver is a player allowed to catch a forward pass — the QB, backs, tight ends and the two players on the ends of the line. Interior linemen are ineligible.
What Is DVOA in Football? Defense-Adjusted Value Explained
DVOA measures a team's success per play against a league baseline, adjusted for opponent, where 0% is average. Here is what it means and how to read it.
What Is EPA in Football? Expected Points Added Explained
EPA is expected points added: how much a single play changes a team's expected points. Here is what it measures, a worked example, and how to read it.
What Is Pass Interference in Football? DPI & OPI
Pass interference is illegal contact that hinders a receiver's chance to catch a pass. In the NFL, defensive PI is a spot foul and automatic first down.
What Is the Red Zone in Football?
The red zone in football is the area from the defense's 20-yard line to the goal line. Scoring efficiency there — touchdowns vs. field goals — often decides games.
What Is the Two-Minute Warning in Football?
The two-minute warning is an automatic clock stoppage when two minutes remain in each half of an NFL game. It works like a free timeout for both teams.
Zero-RB Strategy in Fantasy Football, Explained
What zero-RB strategy is, the case for and against it, and how to execute it: load up on receivers early and find running back value late.
Highest-Paid NCAA Football Coaches: Reported Pay
Kirby Smart and Ryan Day top college football coaching pay at a reported $13M+ a year. Full table, plus why public-school salaries are actually verifiable.
Last Undefeated NCAA Football Team
Michigan went 15-0 in 2023, the last major-college team to finish undefeated. Why 'unbeaten and untied' stopped meaning two things in 1996.
Longest Winning Streak in NFL History: Patriots' 21 Straight (2003-04)
The Patriots' 21 straight wins, incl. playoffs, is the NFL's longest streak (2003-04). See the full ranked list, the Colts' 23-game regular-season record, and how they differ.
Most Rushing Yards in a Season by a QB
Lamar Jackson ran for 1,206 yards in 2019, the NFL single-season quarterback rushing record. The full table, with Fields and Vick behind.
Most Super Bowl Wins as a Player: Brady Leads With 7
Tom Brady owns the most Super Bowl rings by a player with 7. See the full ranking of players with the most rings and why it beats every franchise's team record.
NFL Revenue Sharing Explained: Why It Drives Parity
The NFL splits its national media and revenue nearly evenly among all 32 teams, handing each roughly $400 million a year. Here's how it works and why it matters.
NFL Trivia Questions and Answers: 100+ by Difficulty
100+ NFL trivia questions with correct answers, sorted easy to hard, plus Super Bowl, records, teams and draft rounds. Free and printable-friendly.
What Is Dead Cap in the NFL? Bonus Proration Explained
Dead cap is leftover signing-bonus money that hits the cap after a player is cut or traded. Here's how proration accelerates and how the June 1 rule splits 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.
Most Consecutive Starts in NFL History
Brett Favre's 297 straight starts leads the full ranked list of the NFL's ironman streaks, from Jim Marshall's 270 to the offensive linemen and defenders still chasing the mark in 2026.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Most Losses in NFL History: The Full Franchise Leaderboard
The Arizona Cardinals have the most losses in NFL history at 826 through the 2025 season, ahead of the Detroit Lions (717) and New York Giants (676). Full top-15 leaderboard.
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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.
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.
The Most Valuable NFL Teams
The Dallas Cowboys are the most valuable NFL team at $13 billion (Forbes 2025), the world's richest sports franchise. See the full top-10 value leaderboard.
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 Yards in an NFL Game: Dolphins' 726, Van Brocklin's 554
The 2023 Dolphins gained 726 team yards, Norm Van Brocklin threw for 554, Adrian Peterson ran for 296 and Flipper Anderson caught for 336 - every single-game yardage record, ranked.
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 until age 48, the oldest in NFL history. The full ranked leaderboard of the league's longest-lasting players, from Blanda to Brady.
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 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 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 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.
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 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.
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 years, 10 months, the youngest player drafted in the modern era. See the full leaderboard of the youngest players in NFL history, verified by age.
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: The Full 2026 Rankings by AAV
Patrick Mahomes' record $64M-a-year deal tops the highest-paid NFL players of 2026, ahead of Dak Prescott, Joe Burrow and Josh Allen, ranked by average salary.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 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 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.
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 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.
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.
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: 10 Real Crossovers
Bill Goldberg, Ron Simmons, Vader, Brock Lesnar and more: 10 NFL players who became real pro wrestlers, ranked by how far each verified crossover actually went.
Biggest NFL Stadiums by Seating Capacity, Ranked (2026)
MetLife Stadium tops the biggest NFL stadiums at 82,500 seats, with Lambeau Field and AT&T Stadium close behind. See all 11 venues ranked by exact capacity, team, and year opened.
Best NFL Long Snappers of All Time: The Invisible Specialists
The best NFL long snappers go unnoticed for a decade, then one bad snap ends a season. Here are the greatest ever ranked, with the records that separate them.
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, Ranked
The best NFL fullbacks ranked, from Lorenzo Neal and Larry Csonka to Kyle Juszczyk, judged on lead blocking, short-yardage power, receiving and versatility.
Best NFL Nose Tackles of All Time
The best NFL nose tackles eat double teams, hold the point of attack, and free up linebackers. Here is our ranking of the greatest nose tackles in NFL history.