Want to sound smart about the NFL? Here's a glossary of terms and football jargon you'll need to fit in

By Ben Morse, CNN

Updated 0912 GMT (1712 HKT) September 8, 2022

The Los Angeles Rams and Cincinnati Bengals line up over the NFL logo in the first half during Super Bowl LVI on February 13 at SoFi Stadium.

(CNN)Do you ever sit and watch sports and think: «What on earth is going on?» Do you ever feel excluded from a conversation about sports because you don't understand what is being talked about?

Learning a new sport is tough. Even knowing all the words and phrases in a sport you love is hard too — let's not even bother getting started with a conversation on soccer's offside rule...So, with the 2022 NFL season kicking off, we've compiled a list of terms and words which are commonplace in the sport's parlance that we think you should know. With these in your armory, whether it be with family, friends or colleagues, you'll be able to understand what's going on and wow others — or at least hold your own — with your diverse knowledge of the US' favorite game. The basicsRead MoreBackfield: This is split into offensive and defensive sections. The offensive backfield is the area behind the offensive line where the quarterback and running back line up. The defensive backfield is the area behind the defensive line where linebackers and defensive backs line up. Blitz: A defensive tactic where defenders (linebackers or defensive backs), who typically do not pass the line of scrimmage, choose to run full tilt towards the opposing quarterback rather than cover the backfield (see above) in an attempt to tackle or take possession of the ball. Down: The action stage of the game when the ball is active until it is declared dead and play stops. Most downs begin with a snap from the center position, but can begin with kick offs and punts.