1. a pre-game prayer
2. a desperate, last-second pass
3. a long TD run

When a team is trailing at the end of a half, they’ll sometimes throw long desperation passes in hopes of scoring a TD. Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers is the king of the Hail Mary.

1. DE
2. QB
3. WR

After a QB takes the snap, he’ll often drop back to pass. A "dropback" may be just three steps, or it may be longer depending on the play that’s been called.

1. kicking
2. passing
3. running

A "chip shot" is a short kick. It borrows the concept of a short chip shot in the game of golf.

1. power punch
2. blitz
3. jump

Defenses often "blitz" by sending extra players hurtling toward the QB. But doing so may leave them shorthanded in the secondary.

1. when head coaches run onto the field
2. when Ray Lewis makes a shotgun-cocking motion during a game
3. when the QB takes the snap far from the line of scrimmage

QBs often stand a few steps back from the line of scrimmage to receive a long "shotgun snap." This gives them space and visibility to throw, particularly in a fast-paced attack.

1. pigskin
2. rounder
3. pacifier

Because they used to be made from parts of pigs (and similiar materials), the footballs are often called "pigskins." Modern NFL footballs have a rubber bladder covered with pebbled leather.

1. the sidelines
2. the part of the field near the end zones
3. the red logo on Kansas City’s home field

The "red zone" is the scoring zone — the 20 yards just before the end zones. Defenses must stiffen in the red zone or risk giving up too many points to opportunistic offenses.

1. defense
2. offense
3. kicking unit

The "run and shoot" is a fast-paced offense that relies heavily on the pass. QBs typically take a shotgun snap and throw as quickly as possible.

1. sack
2. humiliation
3. beating

When QBs are tackled behind the line of scrimmage, they are "sacked." Defensive linemen covet the chances to rack up their sack statistics.

1. foothills
2. gridiron
3. prairie

Announcers often called the field a "gridiron," because it really does resemble the cooking appliance of the same name. And at the Dolphins’ stadium in early September, it feels just as hot.

1. He punches the offensive lineman in the guts.
2. He charges straight at the man in front of him.
3. He makes bull horns with his fingers and stamps his feet before blitzing.

Often, defensive linemen use fancy moves to get around offensive linemen. In a "bull rush," however, they charge straight ahead in a attempt push their man to the ground.

1. throwing a lot of short passes
2. pretending to play basketball during a football game
3. throwing the ball through the field goal posts

Many teams resort to "dinking and dunking," or throwing a lot of short passes. They might do this because their QB is terrible at throwing long passes or because the defensive rush is too fast for a longer QB dropback.

1. gluten-free
2. busted
3. floppy

A "busted" play is an offensive play that falls apart, either due to a lack of execution or due to disruption caused by defenders.

1. kicker
2. QB
3. an unscrupulous athletic trainer

QBs "spike" the ball to stop the clock. This is a common play at the end of a quarter, giving the offense time to run more plays.

1. 2
2. 5
3. 9

As the name implies, there are five DBs in "nickel" defense. It’s often a good way stifle an offense’s short passing game.

1. Everyone screams really loudly.
2. No one is allowed to cuddle.
3. It is fast-paced.

In the "no-huddle" offense, the players don’t huddle to discuss plays. Instead, they quickly line up and execute plays in hopes of catching the defensive out of alignment.

1. operation
2. insurrection
3. audible

Typically, offenses already have a play planned when they hit the line of scrimmage. But the QB can "audible," or shout out, a new play if he sees a weakness in the defense’s lineup.

1. Head coaches get phone numbers from cheerleaders.
2. Defenders recover a fumble and score a TD.
3. Everyone gets scoops of ice cream after the game.

Defenders "scoop" up fumbles, and with luck, take them all the way back for TDs. It’s a "scoop and score."

1. gunslingers
2. morons
3. dirtbags

In true American fashion, QBs who take risks by throwing aggressive passes are often called gunslingers. Guys like Brett Favre are gunslingers. Alex Smith is not.

1. Players gamble on games.
2. Coaches lose their jobs.
3. The losing team commits ritual suicide after blowing the lead on Super Bowl Sunday.

Black Monday is the day after final regular season game — it’s the day when many coaches (other club execs) lose their jobs following an unsucessful campaign.

1. escorting head coaches to the locker room
2. adding to the offensive line
3. using felons from a maximum-security prison on defense

In a "max protect" scheme, backs and tight ends stay behind the line of scrimmage to provide maximum protection for the QB. This scheme is often used during obvious blitzing situations.

1. They call a timeout.
2. They throw snowballs at him.
3. They stare at him — icily.

Before game-altering field goal attempts, many coaches will try to "ice" a kicker by calling a timeout. The idea is to make him feel the pressure of the situation ... and then miss the kick.

1. He has a subscription to "Cosmopolitan."
2. He sees a blitz coming.
3. He’s reading "50 Shades of Grey."

When QBs realize a blitz is coming, they often do a "hot read," giving up on intended receivers and instead passing to players running shorter routes.

1. donkey
2. pooch
3. caterpillar

A "pooch" punt is a short punt. The pooch punt comes in handy on a short field or when the punter is trying to keep the ball away from a dangerous return man.

1. linebackers
2. punters
3. quarterbacks

The "coffin corner" is the corner of the field near the end zone and the sideline. Punters aim there knowing that kick returners won’t have much room to maneuever.

1. to shoot the opposing team’s head coach
2. to tackle a kick returner
3. to sack the QB

A gunner is a special teams player who races down field during kicks. His job is to tackle the kick returner as quickly as possible.

1. horse collar
2. tiger bite
3. goat shocker

When tacklers grab ball carriers by the neck from behind, it’s called a "horse collar" tackle. The tackle is banned because it often causes injuries.

1. The RB tosses the ball back the QB.
2. The RB stops to scratch his fleas.
3. Everyone goes home to take showers.

The flea flicker is a trick play. The QB hands off the ball to a RB, who then tosses the ball back to the QB. Then, the QB usually throws long, far over the heads of defenders who were closing into stop a supposed run.

1. rather stupid
2. a sofa referee
3. an armchair quarterback

Everyone thinks they know a better game plan than the coach. They are the "armchair quarterbacks," the guys who call the plays from the comfort of their couches.

1. defense
2. offense
3. kicking team

In recent years, some pro and college teams have used the "wildcat" offensive set. The QB lines up as a WR ... and the WR or RB will take the snap to start the play.