Review
Down: Once the offense starts their drive, they have four chances, called “downs,” to move the ball 10 yards from where they started (this place is called “the line of scrimmage”). Each play is then calculated by what chance (down) the offense is on and how many yards they have left until they reach 10 yards total. (From Tuesday’s post.)
Down and Distance: The calculation of what down it is and how far the offense has left to go (1st and 10, 2nd and 2, etc). (From Tuesday’s post.)
Line of Scrimmage: The imaginary starting line extending from the ball to both sidelines. (From Tuesday’s post.)
Punt: To kick the ball away to the other team to start a new drive. (From Tuesday’s post.)
The Holder: The guy who takes the snap and holds the ball in place for the kicker. (From Wednesday’s post.)
Actual Field Goal Distance: The distance at the current line of scrimmage + 17-yards. The extra yardage accounts for where the holder holds the ball for the attempt (7-yards behind the line) and where the goal post is located (at the back of the end zone, which is 10-yards deep). (From Wednesday’s post.)
It’s Aaron: A charitable initiative created by Aaron Rodgers and David Gruber that highlights amazing organizations and amazing kids. (From Thursday’s post.)
Also, don’t forget to sign up for your spot in the Understanding Football class over at the Influence Network on November 26th!
Preview
Normal Girl Game of the Week
Broncos at Chargers, Sunday at 4:25pm EST
There are a bunch of worthy candidates for game of the week in Week 10, but I really like this AFC West battle. The Chargers, once again, lost a game they could/should have won in overtime against the Redskins last week. The Broncos are coming off a bye, have an interim head coach (Jack Del Rio, current OC and former Jaguars head coach), and are getting ready for the game of the year next weekend against the Chiefs. The Chargers need this win to stay alive in the playoff hunt. The Broncos need this win to know they can function without John Fox at the helm. Plus: Peyton Manning vs. Phillip Rivers when BOTH are having unreal seasons?! Get ready for an offensive showdown for the ages.
Also on the Radar:
1. I’m really looking forward to Cowboys at Saints on Sunday night, and I’m not 100% sure why. It just seems like it’s going to be a good one – plus, it is Rob Ryan’s first game coaching against his former team, the Cowboys, so that always adds a layer of intrigue. The Cowboys barely won last week against Minnesota, and the mighty Saints fell to the We-Only-Win-In-Odd-Numbered-Weeks Jets, so both will be looking to make statement wins to bounce back this week.
2. Can the Packers hold it together without Aaron Rodgers? And without all of the other artists Formerly Known as Starters? Just to take inventory, here are some of the more notable players who were on the roster last year at this time who will not be on the field this Sunday: Aaron Rodgers, Clay Matthews, Nick Perry, Brian Bulaga, Jermichael Finley, Randall Cobb, DuJuan Harris, Donald Driver, Charles Woodson, Ryan Pickett, T.J. Lang, and probably a laundry list of others that I can’t remember because it’s basically the entire team. If you turn the speakers on your computer up you can probably hear me sobbing in the background.
3. The Mess in Miami goes primetime on Monday Night. Against the Bucs. This has the potential to be one long, ugly night in Florida.
