Game Officials
The referee who is in charge of all officials wears a white hat and is positioned behind the offense. The umpire is positioned behind the defensive line. The head linesman and side judge is on one sideline while the line judge and back judge are on the other sideline. The field judge is positioned behind the defense in the center of the field.
Games & Seasons
Each NFL team plays 16 games throughout 17 weeks; 8 of them are home, 8 are away, with 1 bye week. NFL Football has five distinct “seasons” throughout the year: preseason, regular season, Playoffs, Super Bowl, and the off-season.
Player Numbers
Did you know that there is logic behind which player wears what number? Each position has a set number range that they can wear for their team. On the offensive side, the receivers wear jersey numbers in the 80s. The fullbacks and running backs wear jersey numbers in the 20s, 30s, and 40s. The quarterbacks wear jersey numbers between 1 and 19. The offensive line wears jersey numbers in the 50s, 60s, and 70s. On the defensive side, the linebackers wear jersey numbers in the 50s and 90s. The defensive backs wear jersey numbers in the 20s, 30s, and 40s. The defensive line wears jersey numbers in the 60s, 70s, and 90s.
The League
The Baltimore Ravens are in the American Football Conference in the Northern Division along with the Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, and Pittsburgh Steelers. Two games are played against each of the other teams in the same division, one home and one away. The other teams in the AFC consist of: the Western Division –Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, and San Diego Chargers; the Southern Division –Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Tennessee Titans; the Eastern Division –Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, and New York Jets. In 2002, the NFL realigned its 32 teams for the first time since 1970. The realignment maintained most traditional rivalries, while placing the teams in a format more closely based on geographic location.
The Seasons & Coaches
Each team plays 16 games throughout 17 weeks; 8 of them are home, 8 are away, with 1 bye week. NFL Football has five distinct “seasons” throughout the year: preseason, regular season, playoffs, super bowl, and the offseason. Every team has one Head coach, and Offensive and Defensive Coordinator, plus 7 to 13 other Assistant coaches. From training camp until the final game, NFL coaches work seven days a week.
What's in a Helmet?
An NFL quarterback’s helmet contains special one-way radio receivers. The quarterback on the field can’t speak to the coach. He hears a decoded “play call” from the coach on the sideline between each offensive play. The system is shut off when 15 seconds are left on the play clock or when the ball is snapped, whichever comes first.
