Need-to-Know Super Bowl Terms for Football Newbies

The Super Bowl—the most popular event in America—has arrived with two of the NFL’s most storied franchises playing for the biggest prize in football. The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Green Bay Packers come to the game with contrasting styles, which makes this an intriguing match-up.

Green Bay

Green Bay comes in led by starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers and his precision passing. He’s ripped up every defense he has seen this season. The Packers' offense lost starting running back Ryan Grant the first week of the year with a season-ending ankle jury, but has three backs that see significant time. The team also has a balanced offense to go with a stingy, balanced defense.

Pittsburgh

The Steelers have been known for their defense and running game almost from their first days in the NFL. Starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's stats will deceive the average football fan. He’s a proven winner who knows how to play and is as tough as they come. He's not as classic a passer as Rodgers, but he is just as effective.

To make sure that you don’t miss anything, here's some football terminology that will help you understand the big game on Sunday.

• Unsportsmanlike conduct: Any act contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship. (NFL.com) Also, unnecessary roughness.

These may get called a lot, setting teams back with a 15-yard penalty. Pittsburgh has a number of players who have gotten fined for unnecessary roughness, most notably James Harrison and Ryan Clark. The Packers have heavy hitters of their own that get these calls as well. Referees usually call unnecessary roughness when a player uses his helmet to hit another player on the helmet, or hits a defenseless receiver.

• Red zone: This is the area inside the 20-yard line where the teams tend to have their best chance at scoring either a field goal or touchdown.

 With both of these offenses as good as they are, you will hear this reference often.

• Challenge: Coaches can challenge a number of rulings on the field, such as the spot of the ball, possession on receptions, fumbles and in bounds/out of bounds throughout the game. Each coach has two challenges per game (issued when the coach throws a red flag onto the field). If the coach's challenges are proved correct both times after an official review, he earns the opportunity to make a third challenge. If a challenge is not accepted—meaning the referees stand by their initial call—the team will lose one of its timeouts. During the last two minutes of the game, however, only officials from the main control booth can call for challenges.

The stakes are never higher than they are in the Super Bowl, so expect coaches to do whatever they can to make sure the right calls are made.

• Pocket area: Applies from a point two yards outside of either offensive tackle and includes the tight end if he drops off the line of scrimmage to pass protect. Pocket extends longitudinally behind the line back to offensive team’s own end line. (NFL.com)

Look for both quarterbacks to stay in the pocket as long as their protection lasts, but if needed, both have the ability to run. Rodgers was his team's second-leading rusher on the season with 356 yards and four touchdowns.