American Football Quiz

1. How many players does each team have on the field at one time in American football?

1. 10
2. 11
3. 12
4. 9

2. How many points is a touchdown worth in American football?

1. 4 points
2. 5 points
3. 6 points
4. 7 points

3. What is the Super Bowl?

1. A bowl game for college football
2. The annual championship game of the NFL, held between the NFC and AFC conference champions
3. The championship game of the entire American football season including college and professional
4. The playoff tournament for all NFL teams

4. Which quarterback won the most Super Bowl championships in NFL history?

1. Joe Montana
2. Terry Bradshaw
3. Tom Brady
4. Troy Aikman

5. What is a 'down' in American football?

1. A penalty that costs the offending team 10 yards
2. One of four attempts the offence has to advance 10 yards — failing to advance 10 yards in four downs gives possession to the other team
3. When a player is tackled to the ground
4. When the ball goes out of bounds

6. How long is an NFL game in terms of official playing time?

1. 48 minutes divided into four 12-minute quarters
2. 60 minutes divided into four 15-minute quarters
3. 72 minutes divided into four 18-minute quarters
4. 90 minutes with two 45-minute halves

7. What is a 'Hail Mary' pass in American football?

1. A long, desperate forward pass into the end zone at the end of a half or game — hoping for a miraculous touchdown
2. A penalty for excessive celebration
3. A special formation used for short-yardage situations
4. A type of trick play involving the kicker

8. In American football, what is the role of the 'quarterback'?

1. The player responsible for blocking the opposing team's rushing attempts
2. The player who calls plays in the huddle, receives the snap, and either runs with it, hands it off, or passes it
3. The player who snaps the ball to start each play
4. The team captain who communicates with coaches and referees

9. Which NFL team has won the most Super Bowls?

1. Dallas Cowboys
2. Green Bay Packers
3. Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots (tied with 6 each)
4. San Francisco 49ers

10. What is the NFL 'draft' and when does it occur each year?

1. A fantasy football league operated by the NFL itself
2. A preseason tournament to determine playoff seeding
3. The annual selection process where NFL teams choose college football players — held each spring, with worst teams picking first
4. The annual signing period when players become free agents

11. What is the 'red zone' in American football?

1. A penalty zone marked in red around the referee's position
2. The area behind the end zone where out-of-bounds kicks are marked
3. The area of the field where passing is restricted by special rules
4. The area within 20 yards of the opponent's end zone where the probability of scoring is highest

12. Who is considered the greatest wide receiver in NFL history, known for his exceptional catching ability?

1. Calvin Johnson
2. Jerry Rice
3. Larry Fitzgerald
4. Randy Moss

13. What is the 'blitz' in American football defence?

1. A high-tempo no-huddle offence used to tire the defence
2. A penalty for too many players on the field
3. A type of rushing play used by the offence on short yardage situations
4. Sending additional pass rushers beyond the standard four to pressure or sack the quarterback

14. What is American football's version of the penalty known as 'pass interference'?

1. A penalty for tackling a receiver before they catch the ball
2. A technical foul for arguing with officials about a pass ruling
3. Illegal contact by a defender who makes contact with a receiver to prevent them from catching a pass before the ball arrives
4. When an offensive lineman illegally moves during a passing play

15. The Super Bowl halftime show is famous as a global entertainment spectacle. Which artist's 2013 performance was watched by approximately 164 million viewers?

1. Beyoncé
2. Bruno Mars
3. Katy Perry
4. Lady Gaga

16. What is a 'sack' in American football?

1. When a punter's kick is blocked
2. When a receiver drops what would have been a caught pass
3. When a runner fumbles the ball in their own end zone
4. When the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage before throwing a pass

17. American football uses a 'two-minute warning'. What is it?

1. A mandatory TV break 2 minutes from the end of each half, giving teams time to prepare
2. A penalty for intentionally running down the clock in the last 2 minutes
3. A signal that teams must switch sides of the field
4. A warning given to players who have received two personal fouls

18. Which conference championship games precede the Super Bowl?

1. The American Bowl and the National Bowl
2. The Conference Cup games played in January
3. The East Conference and West Conference finals
4. The NFC Championship and AFC Championship games

19. What is 'gridiron' — the alternative name for American football?

1. A brand of football equipment manufacturer
2. A nickname for the violent nature of the sport
3. An early rule variation from the 19th century
4. The name of the field itself — a gridiron refers to the grid pattern of yard lines marking the field

20. Patrick Mahomes became the face of NFL football in the early 2020s. What team does he play for?

1. Baltimore Ravens
2. Kansas City Chiefs
3. Los Angeles Rams
4. San Francisco 49ers