One of the world’s most popular sports, American Football, has branched out globally over the years becoming even more accessible, no matter where you are.
The National Football League (NFL) is the pinnacle of the game, 32 teams across the United States compete to be crowned Super Bowl Champions each year and the NFL odds for this season’s winner make it difficult to predict.
In the 59th season of this version of the NFL, there is so much excitement going into the playoffs and it’s not too late to start getting involved in the game and picking a new team to follow.
The NFL has done a lot to branch out around the world. It is America’s most popular sport and has since taken games around the world with International matches between NFL sides taking place in England, Mexico and France so far, with more to come.
Being perfectly suited to Fantasy Sports, as well as having extensive betting options with top sportsbooks, American Football has grown globally as a sport which all sports fans can access and enjoy.
Top Teams and Key Dates
History will show the New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers as the best teams in the league with six Super Bowls each, followed by the San Fransisco 49ers and the Dallas Cowboys with five.
Recent years though have seen a different team emerge as an NFL powerhouse. The Kansas City Chiefs have played in four of the last five Super Bowls and won three of them. Now, Andy Reid’s side are the team to beat in the NFL.
Each season kicks off in early September where the regular season runs for 18 weeks with each side playing 17 games. After these 17 games the top 14 sides will progress into the Playoffs to compete for the Super Bowl which is held in February each year.
Prior to each season, one of the most interesting off-season events is the NFL Draft. The top prospects from College Football make themselves available to be drafted by an NFL side. Prior to this season the Draft took place in Detroit from April 25th to the 27th seeing the Chicago Bears draft Calen Williams as the first overall pick.
Key Rules and Terminology
American Football is a game of offense versus defense as two teams look to outsore each other across a 60 minute match.
Each team has 11 players on the field at any one time, the team with the ball puts out their offense and the team without the ball puts out their defense players. The objective is for the offense to get the ball into the other team’s end zone to gain six points with a potential for one or two bonus points, or through kicking the ball uprights for a field goal worth three points.
When on offense, a team has four attempts to progress a minimum of 10 yards down the field in what are called “Downs”. If the team fails to do this, the other side gets the ball and both sides switch their offense and defense players.
In between plays, the clock stops and teams are able to make any changes and substitutions to their players on the field that they want to.
Each Down is started by a player in the Centre position handing the ball off to the Quarterback. The quarterback is the player who orchestrates the offense and decides if to throw the ball to a receiver, hand the ball off to the running back who tries to run down the field, or attempts to run himself.
Once down to the fourth down and they arent confident of making the full 10 yards, they can bring on their “Special Team” players. These are the players who are used for Punting, where they try to turn the ball over as far down their openents half as possible, or kick a field goal.
Star Players to Watch
For anyone getting into the NFL for the first time, it is probably more exciting and easier to build an understanding when watching the most exciting offensive players in the league.
Patrick Mahomes has been a superstar for the Kansas City Chiefs and the key reason to their modern day success. Mahomes has it all as a quarterback, being able to throw and run so well, he is a dual threat and an incredible expressive and experimental player who is always fun to watch.
Derrick Henry, running back for the Baltimore Ravens is an interesting one. An absolute giant, he has a different style to most running backs but has been one of the best for years.
When it comes to receivers, check out Ja’Marr Chase of the Cincinatti Bengals or Tyreek Hill for the Miami Dolphins. Both players with plenty of pace but different styles who light up games with their catches.
