10 tips to become an NFL expert overnight with Super Bowl champ Jason Bell

Since first landing on British terrestrial TV in the 1980s, NFL has slowly become a major player in the UK sporting calendar. A big part of its success is the now-annual International Series London Games, where teams from the US fly in to compete in regular season matches, in front of an enthusiastic but often happily bemused UK crowd.

In fact, the vast majority (67%) of Brits are still in total confusion over the rules of NFL, according to research from Samsung. More than 4.8 million just pretend to understand the rules. A plucky 9% apparently mimic the cheers of people around them during crucial plays.

If you’re one of them, fear not. We spoke to ex-pro player, Super Bowl 42 winner and current pundit Jason Bell for his top tips to make you an NFL expert overnight…

1. Get to grips with the basics

The biggest misconception about NFL is it’s a really slow, stop-start game. It helps to think of it as a series of plays, like chess, but with the physicality and intensity of rugby.

“The goal of the game is to move the ball and get into the opponent's end zone,” says Bell. “Most people understand that's how you score, but how you get there, and what what things mean on the way — that’s the journey. And that's what's so cool about the game of [American] football. It’s like a good book — you don't know the end, you just read it until you get there.”

2. Watch full games

It may seem like an obvious step, but watching full games is really your best bet for getting the hang of NFL.

“Watch full games, but don't try to understand it all. Just pick up one thing each time. Take small bites, and then by the time you go through a full season, you'll know as much as probably 80% of the fan base,” says Bell.

3. Look at one thing every snap

UK fans clearly have a passion for the game and are desperate to understand the rules, and one of the tricks is breaking it down into smaller chunks and focusing on one thing at a time.

“Look at one thing every snap,” says Bell. [A snap being when the center passes the ball back to the quarterback to start a play — see the Jargon Buster Playback below].

“It's real simple. Are the big guys on one side pushing the big guys on the other? They're probably gonna win the game.”

4. Know who to watch out for this season

With new players joining every season, there are always lots of exciting rookies to look out for.

Jason gave us his top rookie picks for the season. “There are two quarterbacks that got drafted in the first round: Caleb Williams for the Chicago Bears and Jayden Daniels for the Washington Commanders. The quarterback position can change your team, your franchise, and give your fans hope, and they've both done that. They're just electrifying.

“Also watch out for Brian Thomas Jr., a wide receiver for the Jacksonville Jaguars, and Malik Nabers, also a receiver for the New York Giants."

And what about the Super Bowl? Will the current champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, manage to nab three trophies in a row?

“I want to see the ‘threepeat’,” says Jason. “I think it's the only way for [Chiefs quarterback] Patrick Mahomes to chase [seven-time Super Bowl winner] Tom Brady as the ‘greatest ever’. The Detroit Lions probably have the best chance in the NFC. So I think those two could be in the Super Bowl. Also watch out for the Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers, and the Baltimore Ravens.”

5. Keep an eye out for new rules every season

The NFL’s Competition Committee constantly fine-tunes the game for the best viewing experience, and to keep improving player safety. This season, the kickoff rule was changed, partly to tackle the lowest kickoff return rate in NFL history during the 2023 season.

“They start on the 40-yard line now, so instead of that long run they used to have, they've put the players closer together to stop the head-on collisions that were causing the most concussions,” say Bell.

6. Listen to the pundits

The pundits are really important in NFL, because there are so many rules (and rule changes) to follow. Jason Bell counts buddies Nate Burleson and Michael Strahan among his favourite ex-player pundits, as well as colleague Osi Umenyiora, a familiar face for UK fans. He also thinks Tom Brady is doing well in his new career as a pundit, despite what some believed was a slightly shaky start.

“Imagine when you know so much about something, and you're excited, but you got 15 seconds to explain it,” says Bell. “It’s about making it bite-size for people to consume. I think Brady’s getting really good at that. Every time he speaks, I learn something. I won’t always see it the same, because I wasn't the best quarterback of all time!”

7. Watch out for a London team in future

Along with the London Games, the International Series, has also featured matches in Mexico, Brazil, and Germany. But if an NFL franchise were ever to make a full-time move overseas, London would be the likely candidate. But will it ever happen? And would it be the London regulars/unofficial London team the Jacksonville Jaguars, who would make the move?

"In 2024, we had the best three games we’ve ever had in London,” says Bell. “I believe we’ll eventually get to the point where there’s an international game every week. And because of that, I think there could well be a franchise in London. I don't see why there wouldn't be a team here.”

Among the teams Jason Bell would like to see play in London in future are the Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans, and the New York Giants (his former teams, unsurprisingly).

“And I'd love to see the Raiders again. love the Raiders. I see a lot of Raiders hats around here!”

8. Invest in a good TV

Like all fast-paced sports, having a decent TV to watch NFL on makes a huge difference, especially when you’re trying to understand the details of the game.

“Seeing someone like Lamar Jackson [the Baltimore Ravens’ star quarterback] right on your screen is amazing. When you're watching him at a game, you can kind of see what’s happening, but when you watch it on TV, you can really see the unbelievable plays he’s making. And the great thing when you're watching it on TV is even when the refs miss something, you can see it clear as day.”

9. Get stuck into Fantasy Football

As fantasy sports go, American football is the ideal game because there’s so much going on, and lots of stats to look at, so get a group of friends together and set up a virtual league.

Recent fantasy football convert Bell says “Fantasy football is a great way to follow, because the game is all about players. And even if you're not following the games every week, you can see the performance of your team members and build your knowledge from there.”

10. Try out flag football

If you’re interested in playing the game yourself, flag football is a good place to start. Similar to touch rugby, there’s no tackling so you won’t need to get kitted out like Tom Brady.

“Flag is a great introduction to play the sport and it’s open to all ages,” says Bell.

“And if you’re serious about pursuing the sport, check out the NFL Academy [based at Loughborough University] which has trials every year. Players can get college scholarships in the US, and that’s the key. Before being a pro, it's all about using this game to continue your education. The NFL also has the International Player Pathway Program which brings in players from outside the US and Canada. And Osi [Umenyiora] is doing a great job with NFL Africa, which has already placed lots of players in the NFL. So, if you think you have the skills, reach out to the NFL UK.”

Want to know the jargon too? Here are NFL terms you need to know, to fake it 'til you make it.

Fourth down
The final of four attempts a team must advance the ball 10 yards; failure results in the other team gaining possession.

Safety
A scoring play where the offensive team is tackled in their own end zone, awarding 2 points to the defending team.

Fumble
When a player loses possession of the ball during a play, and either team can recover it.

Snap
The action of the center passing the ball back to the quarterback to start a play.

Quarterback
The player who leads the offense, calling plays, passing, or handing off the ball to advance downfield.

Neutral zone
The space between the offensive and defensive lines at the line of scrimmage, where no player can be at the start of a play.

Penalties
Violations of rules resulting in lost yardage or other disadvantages for the offending team.

Scoring / points system
Touchdowns (6 points), extra points (1 or 2 points), field goals (3 points), and safeties (2 points).

League structure
The NFL is divided into two conferences (AFC and NFC), each with four divisions of four teams; teams compete to reach the playoffs and ultimately the Super Bowl.

Player positions / team structure
Teams are composed of offense, defence, and special teams, each with specialized positions like quarterback, line-backer, and kicker.

Foul play
Actions that violate the rules and may cause injury or unfair advantages, resulting in penalties.

The difference between the AFC and NFC divisions
The NFL is split into the American Football Conference (AFC) and National Football Conference (NFC), with teams from each competing within their conference to reach the Super Bowl.

Post up
A term generally used in basketball, but in the NFL, it can refer to a player positioning themselves to shield a defender and await a pass.

The downs system
Teams have four attempts (downs) to advance the ball at least 10 yards; if successful, they earn a new set of downs, otherwise, possession goes to the other team.