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80 NFL Rules of Football Trivia Questions, Answers, and Fun Facts

How much do you know about NFL Rules of Football? This category is for trivia questions and answers related to NFL Rules of Football (Sports). Each one is filled with fun facts and interesting information.
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1 On 4th and 12 from the Seattle 25-yard line, Oakland is called for running into the kicker. Which is the result of the kicker penalty?
Answer: 5 yards from the spot of the ball

Running intot the kicker is a 5-yard penalty and is enforced from the spot of the ball, or the line of scrimmage from where the play started. This penalty does not give the offensive team an automatic 1st down, unless it was a roughing the kicker penalty.
    Your options: [ 5 yards from the spot of the ball ] [ Automatic first down from the spot of the ball ] [ 10 yards from the spot of the ball, 4th down ] [ 15 yards from the spot of the foul, automatic 1st down ]
  From Quiz: NFL Penalties and Yards
2 What is it called when a quarterback or other player on offense gets sacked/tackled in their own end zone?
Answer: Safety

A touchdown is when a person on the offense steps into their opponent's end zone, a sack is when a quarterback gets tackled anywhere but the end zone and loses yardage, and a fumble is when a player on offense drops the ball.
  From Quiz: Football Jargon
3 What is a safety?
Answer: When a defensive man tackles an offensive player with the ball in their own end zone

When the defensive gets a safety on the offense, they get 2 points plus the team gets the ball.
  From Quiz: NFL Rules
4 On 1st and 10 from the Seattle 8-yard line, Seattle is called for holding. Where does the referee spot the football?
Answer: Seattle 4-yard line

Holding is a 10-yard penalty that is enforced from the spot of the ball. However, since Seattle has the ball at their own 8-yard line, the ball is moved back half the distance to the Seattle goal line, which would be their 4-yard line.
  From Quiz: NFL Penalties and Yards
5 What is the term that describes when a defensive man catches the offensive team's ball?
Answer: Interception

When the defense intercepts the ball, they can run for a touchdown, or let his offense take over.
  From Quiz: NFL Rules
6 If a player is wearing illegal equipment, how long is the player suspended for?
Answer: The player is suspended for 1 down.

The player cannot come back into the game until he is legally equipped, but the player must sit out at least one down.
  From Quiz: NFL Penalties
7 On 4th and 7, the Raiders are forced to punt from their own 34-yard line. The punt is deflected by a Broncos rusher, who runs into, but does not knock down, the punter. What penalty, if any, does the referee call here?
Answer: No penalty. This is a legal play.

According to Rule 12, Section 2, Article 6 of the NFL Rules, a defensive player may run into or rough the kicker only if it is incidental to and after he has touched the kick in flight. The Broncos player, then, did not commit a foul, since he deflected the kicked football.
  From Quiz: Welcome to NFL Officiating 201
8 What does "three and out" mean?
Answer: The offense doesn't get a first down, and they take three downs and on the fourth down they punt the ball away

If you listen or watch football on a regular basis, the announcers almost always say, for example, "And the Packers again go three and out", which means their opponents did not allow them to get a first down in their three downs (or sometimes four). If they don't make it, the ball is given to the other team. That's called a turnover on downs.
  From Quiz: Football Jargon
9 How many yards is the penalty, if a defensive man purposely grabs an offensive man by the face mask and brings him down?
Answer: 15

If the defensive man didn't purposely grab the offensive man's face mask by grabbing it and letting go, it would only be 5 yards.
  From Quiz: NFL Rules
10 In 2003, which two NFL teams were impacted when Commissioner Paul Tagliabue invoked Rule 17, Article 9 of the NFL Rules, which allows the Commissioner to schedule a game at an alternate site in the event of an emergency?
Answer: Miami and San Diego

In the wake of devastating forest fires in Southern California, Qualcomm Stadium became a key staging area for emergency and sheltering operations. As workers beat back the flames, the Arizona Cardinals welcomed the Miami Dolphins and San Diego Chargers into their home, Sun Devil Stadium, for a Monday-night tilt.
    Your options: [ Detroit and San Diego ] [ San Francisco and San Diego ] [ Miami and San Diego ] [ Indianapolis and San Diego ]
  From Quiz: Welcome to NFL Officiating 201
11 Missouri's quarterback is scrambling in his own end zone when Colorado's defensive end hits him. The ball comes loose and is recovered by Colorado. Who and what is scored?
Answer: Colorado - Touchdown

Since the loose ball was recovered by Colorado in Missouri's endzone, the resulting play is a touchdown for Colorado.
  From Quiz: Coaching American Football 101
12 What is it called when NFL teams choose outstanding college football players to play on their team?
Answer: NFL Draft

The NFL draft has 7 rounds, with each team selecting a player of their choice. The worst rated NFL team gets to choose first, and the best NFL team the previous year has to choose last, unless they do some trading.
  From Quiz: Football Jargon
13 If a team uses excessive time outs, how many yards is the resulting penalty?
Answer: 5 yards

A team is only allowed 3 timeouts per half. This penalty is a result of attempting to use more than 3 penalties in a half.
  From Quiz: NFL Penalties
14 The Vikings find themselves 2nd and 8 on the Rams 39-yard line. At the snap of the ball, the Vikings fullback and one of their wide receivers are in motion. What penalty, if any, should the referee call here?
Answer: Illegal shift

Two players cannot be in motion at the snap of the football, as per Rule 7, Section 2, Article 5(c). This is termed an illegal shift. The official signal for illegal shift is for the referee to make horizontal arcs with both hands. The Vikings face a five-yard penalty for this infraction.
  From Quiz: Welcome to NFL Officiating 201
15 UCLA quarterback drops back to pass on third and ten. Three linebackers from USC charge through the line and bring him down. What type of play was called by the USC defensive coordinator?
Answer: Linebacker Blitz

A blitz is also known as a rush, typically 2-3 linebackers, or 1-2 defensive backs will bullet towards the quarterback in hopes of sacking him, or disrupting the timing with his receivers.
  From Quiz: Coaching American Football 101
16 During an extra-point attempt following a Seattle touchdown, Oakland is called for roughing the kicker when the extra point was good. Where does the referee spot the ball for the ensuing kickoff?
Answer: Seattle 40-yard line

Roughing the kicker is a 15-yard penalty if the kick was good, so the spot of the ball would be at the 40-yard line for the ensuing kickoff.
  From Quiz: NFL Penalties and Yards
17 What is a "Hail Mary"?
Answer: A play in which the receivers are all sent downfield towards the end zone

A "Hail Mary" is often used when the offense is down by points, there is little time left in the game and too far away from the end zone for "a conventional play". The quarterback sends all the receivers downfield hoping for a long catch or a touchdown.
  From Quiz: Football Jargon
18 The home team is required to provide how many footballs for game play (not including kicking situations)?
Answer: 24

Prior to 1999, the home team was required to provide 36 footballs for scrimmage play (or 24 balls if the team played in an indoor facility). But because kickers doctored the footballs to make them go higher and farther--thus leading to more field goals and touchbacks, at the expense of the quarterbacks and receivers who handle the ball the most--the NFL changed that rule. Beginning with the 1999 season, all teams must supply 24 balls for game play; the NFL supplies each game site an additional 12 balls, separate from the scrimmage play supply, specifically for kicking situations. These K-balls, as they are called, are guarded specifically against doctoring prior to their use in game situations. (Thanks to NFL.com for additional information on this question. And thanks to ravensfan52 for reminding me of the old 36/24 rule!)
  From Quiz: Welcome to NFL Officiating 101
19 On 1st and 10 from the Oakland 40-yard line, Seattle runs the ball for 2 yards. An Oakland defensive player is called for a dead ball personal foul after the play has ended. Where does the referee place the ball after the penalty is assessed?
Answer: Oakland's 23-yard line

A personal foul called against any player is a 15-yard penalty. Since the penalty was a dead-ball foul, 15 yards are added to the end of the running play and Seattle would have a 1st down at the Oakland 23-yard line.
  From Quiz: NFL Penalties and Yards
20 When would you try to maneuver a two-point conversion?
Answer: After scoring a touchdown

If the offense is down by a couple points, or way ahead, the offense may try a two-point conversion. You try to get a two-point conversion after scoring a touchdown and instead of the extra-point. To manuever a two-point conversion, you get the ball at the two-yard line and try to get it into the end zone.
  From Quiz: Football Jargon
21 How many yards is a team penalized if the first onside kick goes out of bounds?
Answer: 5 yards

An onside kick must go 10 yards to be recovered or be touched by the other team. An onside kick is usually used near the end of a game by the team that is trailing.
  From Quiz: NFL Penalties
22 Under the original NFL jersey numbering system, linebackers and centers wore jersey numbers in what range?
Answer: 50 through 69

The NFL's numbering system, as established on April 5, 1973, is as follows: 1-19 for quarterbacks and specialists (punters and placekickers), 20-49 for running backs and defensive backs, 50 through 69 for centers and linebackers, 60-79 for interior offensive linemen (except centers) and defensive linemen, 80-89 for wide receivers and tight ends, and 90-99 for defensive linemen. The NFL allowed players to keep an old number that was not correct for their position if they used that number during the 1972 season. Beginning with the 2004 NFL season, wide receivers were allowed to wear numbers in the range 10-19. Later still, linebackers were allowed to wear numbers in the range 90-99.
  From Quiz: Welcome to NFL Officiating 201
23 Syracuse has the ball third and goal at the Virgina Tech one yard line. The Syracuse quarterback takes the snap and plows straight into the endzone. What is this type of play called?
Answer: Quarterback sneak

Quarterback sneaks usually are successful on goal line situations.
  From Quiz: Coaching American Football 101
24 Which official functions as the backup timekeeper?
Answer: Line Judge

The line judge keeps track of the official game time, and is responsible for making various line calls (eg, false starts and offsides) on his side of the field.
    Your options: [ Field Judge ] [ Head Linesman ] [ Line Judge ] [ Umpire ]
  From Quiz: Welcome to NFL Officiating 101
25 On the opening kickoff, the Oakland kick returner brings the ball out to his 40-yard line. Oakland is called for an illegal block in the back at their 22-yard line. Where does the referee spot the ball?
Answer: Oakland's 12-yard line

The penalty for illegal block in the back is 10 yards from the spot of the foul. Since the infraction occurred at the Oakland 22-yard line, the referee placed the ball at the Oakland 12-yard line.
  From Quiz: NFL Penalties and Yards
26 Vince Lombardi led the Green Bay Packers to how many consecutive Super Bowl victories?
Answer: 2

Vince Lombardi was the first coach ever to win a Super Bowl. He did so with the Green Bay Packers two years in a row in 1967 and 1968. The Green Bay Packers went up against Kansas City in 1967 and beat them 35-10. In 1968, the Packers played the Oakland Raiders, and defeated them 33-14.
  From Quiz: Football Jargon
27 What is the red zone?
Answer: Any yard lines in-between the offense's opponents end zone and their 20-yard line

When an offense has the ball in the red zone, they are very close to scoring. They are in-between their opponents 20-yard line and their opponents end zone.
  From Quiz: Football Jargon
28 After scoring a go-ahead touchdown against the 49ers, a Lions receiver rips off his helmet in the end zone and starts to dance. The official nearest him throws a flag for unsportsmanlike conduct. How does the referee enforce this penalty?
Answer: After the PAT Try, 15 yards from the normal kickoff spot.

Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1 (d) of the NFL Rules specifically states that a player cannot remove his helmet while on the field. There are exceptions to this rule, but the Lions player in this case clearly isn't one of them. Because the foul occurred AFTER the score took place, making this a dead-ball foul, the 15-yard penalty is enforced from the spot of the next offensive play, which would be the ensuing kickoff. The Lions, then, would kick off from their 15-yard line.
  From Quiz: Welcome to NFL Officiating 201
29 What is the reason that when teams who are behind late in a game, will usually try quick plays and try to get out of bounds?
Answer: To conserve time and stop the clock

Quick plays near the sideline, and players who run out of bounds quickly help to conserve time and stop the clock.
  From Quiz: Coaching American Football 101
30 On 4th down, Oakland is forced to punt the ball to Seattle. After signaling for a fair catch, an Oakland player is pushed in to the punt returner by a Seahawks player. Which penalty is called against Oakland?
Answer: No penalty is assessed against Oakland

If the Oakland player had not been pushed in to the punt returner, the penalty would have been fair catch interference. However, because the Oakland player was pushed into the punt returner by a Seattle player, no penalty is called against Oakland.
    Your options: [ No penalty is assessed against Oakland ] [ Unsportsmanlike conduct ] [ Fair catch interference ] [ Unnecessary roughness ]
  From Quiz: NFL Penalties and Yards
31 Which team won the first-ever Super Bowl?
Answer: Green Bay Packers

The first team to win the Super Bowl was the Green Bay Packers. Hence, the trophy for the winners of the Super Bowl was named the Vince Lombardi Trophy, in honor of their great coach, Vince Lombardi, in 1967 and 1968.
    Your options: [ St. Louis Rams ] [ New England Patriots ] [ New Orleans Saints ] [ Green Bay Packers ]
  From Quiz: Football Jargon
32 What kind of play is an offensive coach most likely to call in the following situation: Third down and 15 yards at the opposing team's 20-yard line, 45 seconds left in the fourth quarter, down by five, with no time outs left?
Answer: Pass Play

A pass play is the most logical play in this situation. Running the ball would keep the clock moving with no way to stop it, a blitz is a defensive play, and a field goal would do no good because your team is down by five points.
  From Quiz: Coaching American Football 101
33 Prior to the rule change in 2020, when the NFL relaxed its numbering system, football positions usually had numbers between 90-99?
Answer: Defensive Linemen & Linebackers

Here was the (usual) numbering system:

1-19 : quarterbacks and kickers (plus some others)
20-49 : running backs and defensive backs (plus some others)
50-59 : defensive linemen and offensive linemen, plus linebackers
60-79 : defensive linemen and offensive linemen
80-89 : running backs, wide receivers and tight ends.
90-99 : defensive linemen & linebackers
  From Quiz: Football Jargon
34 Which member of the offensive team can request a playable ball during inclement weather conditions?
Answer: Center

The game clock does not stop when a request for a playable ball is made, unless the delay is such that the referee deems the clock should be stopped.
    Your options: [ Wide Receiver ] [ Quarterback ] [ Center ] [ Running Back ]
  From Quiz: Welcome to NFL Officiating 101
35 Which two officials are responsible for ruling on the success of a field goal attempt?
Answer: Back Judge and Field Judge

A successful field goal try must stay between uprights 30 feet tall and 18 feet apart, and clear a crossbar 10 feet above the end line. The goalposts in all NFL venues are bright gold in color and have ribbons at the tops to indicate wind direction.
    Your options: [ Umpire and Side Judge ] [ Field Judge and Side Judge ] [ Back Judge and Field Judge ] [ Back Judge and Umpire ]
  From Quiz: Welcome to NFL Officiating 101
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