Talk Like A Pro: Your Go-To NFL Dictionary

Whether you are watching with diehard fans or just trying to survive fantasy season, here’s your cheat sheet to sounding like a seasoned vet on Sundays. 

Offensive Terms

Audible - When the quarterback changes the play last minute at the line of scrimmage. 

Tush Push - The infamous QB sneak where the team literally pushes their quarterback forward. Made famous (and feared) by the Eagles.

Rush - This can mean running the ball OR the defense rushing the QB. Context decides whether it’s offense or panic mode.

Pocket - The imaginary safe space around the quarterback. When it collapses, so do hopes and dreams.

Snap Count - The cadence the QB uses to signal the snap. A game of rhythm, timing, and baiting defenders into jumping early.

Play Action - Fake handoff, real throw. 

Two-Minute Drill - A fast-paced, no-huddle offensive strategy used when time is running out. Cue dramatic music.

Lateral - A pass that goes sideways or backward. Legal, risky, and sometimes electric.

Courtesy of DAVID DERMER — AP Photo

Defensive Terms

Blitz - Not just Seattle’s mascot. It’s a full-on QB ambush. Think “surprise attack,” but organized.

Pick-Six - An interception returned for a touchdown. Best moment of a defender’s life, the worst moment of a QB’s.

Coverage - How defenders try to stop passes. Man-to-man = clingy. Zone = lurking with purpose.

Targeting  - A penalty for dangerous hits to the head/neck area. Not just illegal — it could be cause for an ejection.

Courtesy of SB Nation

Penalties & Game Mechanics

Holding - Illegally grabbing an opponent to gain an advantage. 

Delay of Game - When the offense doesn’t snap the ball before the play clock hits zero. Basically, “Time’s up!”

Dead Ball - The play is officially over. No more movement, no more chaos… for now.

Play Clock - The timer counting down for the offense to snap the ball. Tick… tick…

Courtesy of AP Photo/Matt Slocum

Game Flow & Strategy

3-and-Out - Failing to get a first down in three plays and punting on fourth. The offensive version of “oops.”

Red Zone - The area between the 20-yard line and the end zone. Translation: prime touchdown territory.

Hail Mary - A long, desperate pass with seconds left on the clock. Part football, part prayer.

Special Teams - The squad that handles kickoffs, punts, and field goals. The unsung heroes (until someone botches it).

Bye Week - When a team gets a break. Players heal. Fans stress. Fantasy rosters cry.

Courtesy of Patrick Smith/Getty Images

Advanced Football Lingo: For the Budding Analyst

RPO (Run-Pass Option) - A hybrid play where the QB decides mid-play whether to hand off the ball or throw it based on how the defense reacts. It’s like reading a defense in real-time — high-IQ football.

Cover 2 / Cover 3 / Cover 0 - These refer to different defensive coverage schemes.

• Cover 2: Two safeties deep, protecting against long throws.

• Cover 3: Three defenders deep, more conservative.

• Cover 0: No safeties — pure man coverage with all-out blitz. Bold. Risky. Chaos.

Zone Read - The quarterback reads a specific defender to decide whether to hand off the ball or keep it and run. A staple of mobile QBs. Think Lamar Jackson or Jalen Hurts.

Jet Sweep - A wide receiver goes in motion and takes a handoff running horizontally across the formation. Pure speed. Also great for confusing defenses.

Trap Block - An offensive lineman intentionally lets a defender through, only for another lineman to blindside them from a different angle. It’s the football version of “You just played yourself.”

Flood Concept - A passing play where multiple receivers attack the same side of the field at different depths. Stretches the defense horizontally and vertically. A coordinator's dream.

Mike Linebacker - The central linebacker who acts like the quarterback of the defense, calling plays, reading formations, and stuffing the run. If you hear someone yell “Find Mike!” — they’re trying to locate him pre-snap.

Hot Route - A quick change in a receiver’s route when the QB senses a blitz. It’s the emergency escape hatch.

Hard Count - An exaggerated snap count used to trick defenders into jumping offsides. Aaron Rodgers practically made this an art form.

Checkdown - A short, safe throw — usually to a running back — when all other options are covered. Less flashy, but often smart. AKA: the QB’s version of “Fine, I’ll do it myself.”

Field Side vs. Boundary Side - Refers to the wide vs. short side of the field, based on ball placement. This impacts play design, spacing, and matchups.

YAC (Yards After Catch) - How far a receiver runs after catching the ball. High YAC = explosive playmaker. Think Deebo Samuel or Ja’Marr Chase.

Courtesy of Bri Ali | Cleveland Browns

Edited by Elle Chavis