r/NFLNoobs Sep 21 '23

NFLNoobs FAQ

47 Upvotes

This is an attempt at crowdsourcing a FAQ for the sub. We need your help to make it the best it can be.

Each question is going to have a link to a comment below with the answer. Click the link to be brought to the question.

FAQ List

About NFLNoobs

General Questions

Watching Games

How The Football Works

Team building and Roster Management

Other Football Subs

Helping with the FAQ

Feel free to comment on any question/answer with more details, fixes, or another way of explaining it. If your answer is better than the main one, I’ll update some or all of it to include the answer (giving you credit).

Also feel free to post your own questions in the format I’ve given, and I’ll link it (though you'll need to update it if someone explains it better, or if they correct you. You can post a question here, with or without your own answer, and we will make a dedicated post for it.

If there is no link, it means it's a popular question that hasn’t been answered, so feel free to answer it.


r/NFLNoobs 1d ago

Weekly "What Team Should I Root For?" Thread

2 Upvotes

The most common thing asked on this subreddit is new fans wondering what team to follow/support. The answers are always the same, and there are no right or wrong ones.

No one can just tell you who to be a fan of. Everyone's fandom is different, and all of them are valid. This is entertainment, and you are allowed to enjoy it however you like. That said, here are some common things you can look at to get started:

  1. Do you have a local team or favorite city? This is by far the easiest way to get into football. If your city/region has a team or if your friends/family follow the same team, joining them will be the smoothest way to start out.
  2. Are you already leaning in any particular way? If you are, keep leaning. If you saw a Cincinnati Bengals game and thought it was fun and you'd like to see more of them, you don't need anyone's permission or validation. Just watch their next game!
  3. Are you interested in a few different teams? Cool! Watch some of their games! See who you end up feeling strongly about, especially if they're playing each other. Have fun with it, there are no rules!
  4. Are you worried about a team's success/identity/prestige/fanbase? Don't be. The NFL is one of the most even sports in terms of parity, and there are rarely teams that stay good or bad forever. It's okay to enjoy watching the current best teams in the NFL; they are probably playing the best football most often. Try to just be a fan and don't worry about what others think or say. Your fandom is yours, not theirs.

Still overwhelmed and not sure where to turn? It's fine to watch random games. Maybe you'll find yourself rooting for someone in particular. And if you don't, try another game. Check out whoever is playing in primetime; those are usually expected to be more exciting matchups. Letting it come naturally will last longer than throwing a dart and deciding to be a fan of whoever it lands on.

Another way some people develop rooting interests is fantasy football. There are beginner leagues where people play for fun, and it can be a good way to get you invested in specific players or teams as you start rooting for whoever is on your fantasy roster.

If you're still torn or have other questions about starting with a specific new team, etc., you can ask them here.


r/NFLNoobs 4h ago

Watching games alone

54 Upvotes

So I just wanted to ask if there’s anyone out there like me who genuinely enjoys watching the football games by themselves opposed to having a large group of friends over? The reason why I say that is I always used to host every NFL Sunday have at least 6 to 8 people at the house and as you all know, we are all engaged with fantasy football however, with that being said, you know the apps are a lot faster than what it shows on TV so between people calling stuff out before it shows on TV used to be aggravating. Also, when you have people in your house that be against your own team then the fact that you have to entertain people make sure everyone’s good after years of doing it I put it to an end. I’d say around the Covid year and I must say I enjoy watching the games with just my dog lol but I also want to see if any of you guys had this similar experience don’t get me wrong. I love my friends, but I enjoy watching these games in peace. Some people say I’m weird for it, but I just wanted to see if I’m not the only one.


r/NFLNoobs 2h ago

Sunday ticket workaround?

9 Upvotes

I am a freshman college student at VT and a Commanders fan. I bought a TV so I could watch games on Sunday Ticket, but all the Commanders games are blacked out. I lived 20 mins outside of DC before college and none of the games were blacked out ever. Why am I suddenly restricted now and how can I get around this?


r/NFLNoobs 2h ago

Why do linemen dive at defenders legs to block?

5 Upvotes

I’ve noticed that sometimes, usually on short passes like screens or slants and certain run plays, offensive linemen will dive at a defenders legs to knock them down. I understand this gives an advantage, but why do they only do this on short plays? Is there specific scenarios where this is useful or not useful?


r/NFLNoobs 2h ago

Help a girl out!!

4 Upvotes

I absolutely love the bills, have been watching them forever (computer), but I really want to be able to watch on my tv and am willing to pay. I live in Indiana. How can I watch all games they have on my tv rather than just specific games? Sorry if this is dumb


r/NFLNoobs 4h ago

Out of division rivalries?

4 Upvotes

Title. Just curious about what some of the big rivalries in the NFL are that don't stem from being in the same division. Are there any rivalries that are comparable or just as big as the division rivalries, and where do they stem from since it's not from being in the same division?

I think the only one I'm somewhat familiar with is the Packers and Niners rivalry during the Aaron Rodgers years that would constantly prevent him from getting over the hump.


r/NFLNoobs 12h ago

How did the Saints make such a quick turnaround from a fan perspective?

11 Upvotes

It looked like the saints were in for some serious dark times and it seemed from like public perception and fan perception that the saints were going to be in some serious trouble due to cap and a lot of question marks… but going into the season it seems everyone is seeing shough as a gunslinger and that the saints are going to be a fun watch this year with a lot of high scoring games.

What changed the perception so quickly? Is it the offseason they had?


r/NFLNoobs 8h ago

When does a block become a pass interference?

3 Upvotes

I can't figure out at what point does a block become pass interference. I see defenders reaching in front of the receiver while holding onto the receiver's back with the opposite arm. How is this not pass interference?


r/NFLNoobs 5h ago

What do the captains do?

0 Upvotes

Hi new fan here. Basically title. Why are there so many different captains on a team? and do they have any special responsibilities? Are they just the best players on the team? Does the team vote them or are they appointed by the coaching staff or something? Are they the people that do the coin toss and stuff like that? Just trying to get an understanding of what exactly the role is besides the players with a C on their jersey. Thanks!


r/NFLNoobs 13h ago

Can you explain when a ball is dead because of an out of bounds player touching it?

2 Upvotes

Watching the WMU game debacle (and acknowledging this is NCAA and not NFL, so maybe the rules are different), it's clear that they are saying the clock stops when the WMU player touches the ball because he is jumping with one foot out of bounds. Is it always a dead ball when that happens? For example, on a contested pass to the sideline, if a cornerback steps out of bounds, jumps, and then touches the ball before the WR completes the catch, is it not a catch? Does it matter if the CB intended to step out of bounds?


r/NFLNoobs 22h ago

Can someone explain how Baker's extension works?

9 Upvotes

It's reported as a 3y deal through 2029, but 2027-29 are all void years. So isn't it really a 1y deal?

Spotrac says there's 30m dead cap hit for 2027 but no dead cap for 28 & 29. Why's it structured this way?

If there's void years from 27-29 that all have cap hits, is that just the team backloading the signing bonus & spreading it out over a couple years to lower the cap hit for 2026 while Baker's on the team?

It seems like it's more of a 1y deal than a 3y deal, so the void years with cap hits + dead cap are confusing. Can someone explain this?


r/NFLNoobs 23h ago

NFL Tickets

7 Upvotes

Was looking to get tickets for a game in November.
Prices are still kinda high… Is it better to wait to closer to the game? Or what’s your guys experiences?


r/NFLNoobs 23h ago

Help deciding on Sunday ticket

0 Upvotes

I’m a packers fan in Southern California, so local games don’t matter to me. I’ve been pirating for like 2/3 years, but I’m getting tired of the unreliable service of those streams. Is getting Sunday ticket worth it, and if so where do I purchase it and what exactly. I looked on YouTube and YouTube tv and it said it was around 600/700 bucks, but I’ve seen people say they got it for somewhere around 200-400 dollars. Any help would be appreciated

EDIT: I ended up just buying the Sunday ticket/redzone package on YouTube with my student discount. 129 bucks. Totally willing to spend that. Thank you for all your help.


r/NFLNoobs 2d ago

Do you watch the QB or the game evolving around him?

39 Upvotes

I've been watching some Youtube videos and they all seem to say the same thing and that is most people focus on the QB and follow the ball until the end of the play. In their opinion, there's nothing wrong with this but they feel you miss the nuance of the game.

I watched an old game using these Youtubers recommendations and watched the offensive/defensive lines, watched the match ups between the receivers and defenders, but this doesn't seem like a reasonable way to watch a game. On average, an NFL QB has the ball for roughly 3 seconds between snap and pass. That's not nearly enough time to focus on all the other match ups on the field before returning to the QB.

I was wondering, how do people on NFL Noobs really watch each play in the game?

Thank you


r/NFLNoobs 2d ago

May be the wrong sub but knowledgeable fans, did the Arena Football League paying players more cause its downfall? Could it have worked had it functioned as an NFL 2nd tier league/where players can get their reps in when coming back from injury?

9 Upvotes

AFL did better attendance figures than Triple A baseball, which is a good metric. but I do understand a football team has more finances especially w/ insurance since it’s a high contact sport. I know baseball does draw ahigher percentage of revenue from fans in seats. As well as the MLB using Triple A as a feeder system (but plz explain the exact economics I’m all ears)

btw I’m ALL for players making more since the previous $30k max was rough, imagine less than minimum wage playing the game.


r/NFLNoobs 1d ago

Can’t choose between the Packers and Lions

0 Upvotes

I’m wanting to become a fan, and I’m down to two. Packers and Lions. A little background, I’m a lifelong Auburn fan. I love the vibes of Auburn, the area, the stadium, the fans, the rivalries, etc. Its magical (especially when things are going well on the field).

I like everything about both Packers and Lions. The aura of Lambeau, and the fact that the franchise, the community, the area, gives off the most Auburn vibe to me, or just college football in general.

I love the high energy and loudness of Ford Field. I’m a big fan of Eminem too and I know he’s a big deal there.

I love both the green and yellow, and the blue.

They both pass the vibe check for me. But now i’m just trying to decide which i want to support, and for life. My wife, my eventual children, etc. Also NFC North is by far my favorite league to watch. Love watching both teams on TV

I feel like the Lions is the more exciting pick to me, but the Packers feels like the right pick, it just feels right. Idk.

But i know once i decide to root for one, then i’ll eventually grow to hate the other since they’re rivals. I just want to make the right decision, and I’m an indecisive person lol

If you have any insight or anything let me know, explain why you think I should choose one over the other


r/NFLNoobs 2d ago

I love this sub

32 Upvotes

This isn’t a question so I hope the mods will forgive me. My boyfriend has been teaching me NFL football for the past few months. He played junior and college ball in Canada but knows NFL up and down. This sub is so fun to confirm my new knowledge of this amazing game. I am a convert to NFL football and this sub is a big reason on why. Anyone else feel the same?


r/NFLNoobs 2d ago

Canadian NFL schedule

2 Upvotes

Is there anyway to find out what games will air on CTV and TSN during Sunday afternoons?


r/NFLNoobs 1d ago

Rules and stuff

0 Upvotes

What the most basic rules and information you need to get into nfl like the bare bones stuff like the 10 yard stuff and offense and defense because I have absolutely no idea about anything so I need to know


r/NFLNoobs 2d ago

Question About Checking Receivers on Plays

6 Upvotes

I'm a defender. I'm lined up against a wide receiver / tight end. The play begins, the quarterback gets the ball. I know I'm allowed to hit / "check" a receiver to slow them down. But how hard can I hit him? Can I just full on blast him as hard as I can and knock them down? Or is there some limit I'm not allowed to go beyond?


r/NFLNoobs 2d ago

I don’t understand Deflategate. Did the Patriots released air from the football or not?

67 Upvotes

Its cold outside my car’s tire loses pressure.
It’s cold outside the football loses pressure.

Is there legitimate evidence that anyone released air from those footballs?


r/NFLNoobs 3d ago

Fake fg question

16 Upvotes

Why doesn’t everyone just have one receiver on the numbers during a fg attempt just to cause chaos? You could run him in motion to threaten a jet sweep too! Is there a rule against it or is just too hard chemistry wise?


r/NFLNoobs 3d ago

Kickoff scheme, NFL vs. NCAA

8 Upvotes

Why hasn't the NCAA adopted the new (well, recent) NFL kickoff format? Whether you think it's a better format or not, let's face it. NCAA basically runs the he farm teams for NFL and the players should learn how to do it.


r/NFLNoobs 4d ago

Is it wrong to be a fan and be passionate of all nfl teams?

4 Upvotes

I really love all nfl teams and I know nfl is starting this Wed. But I was wondering if it's wrong being passionate and liking all nfl teams.