This is for the spouse or the person dating someone who is watching a football game. I know you don’t care about the game. But after reading this, you’ll actually understand what is going on. And you’ll score points with that person you’re with because your actions will support your significant other’s addiction to this stupid game that we love!
Let’s start with what you know- the Quarterback. He’s the guy they snap the ball to on every play. It’s true that the QB is the most important person on the field. He touches the ball on every play (when his team is on Offense). But here’s the secret to understanding football… it’s more important to watch those 5 guys in front of the QB because it’s how well they do which will likely dictate who wins or loses the game. Those 5 guys are the Offensive Line (“OL”). They have 2 jobs:
- Job 1 is to protect the QB so that the QB can throw the ball.
- Job 2 is to block the Defensive Line (“DL”) and open up holes so that the Offense can run the ball.
That’s it. That’s the game of football. If you watch those 5 guys, and see if they can “control the line of scrimmage” (that imaginary line separating the Offense from the Defense) you’ll know if they can win the game.
The best QB in the NFL (Patrick Mahomes) needs his OL to protect him or else he’s toast. In this past year’s Super Bowl, Mahomes’ OL could not adequately protect him. His timing was disrupted. He was pressured too often. He was also “sacked” (that’s when the DL tackles him before he can make a play) a lot- SIX TIMES. That’s way too often to have success.
The rest of the players on the field obviously need to do their jobs all together as “one” in order to succeed. Football is an 11 person well-choreographed ballet. So if one person doesn’t execute their assignment properly, the other 10 will likely fail. But those 5 guys on the OL are the ones you need to watch.
No OL, no success. That magical pass from the magical QB to the magical and graceful ballerina Wide Receiver, who catches the ball in stride and then runs the ball into the end zone for a Touchdown… THAT HAPPENED BECAUSE THOSE 5 GUYS ON THE OL PROTECTED THE QB LONG ENOUGH TO MAKE THE MAGIC HAPPEN.
That’s it. That’s football. Grab your favorite beverage and watch those 5 guys.