NFL News: Scores, Stats, Standings

The NFL was formed in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association (APFA) before renaming itself the National Football League for the 1922 season.

The first 11 professional football clubs were sprinkled across Ohio, Illinois, Indiana and New York. They included Akron Pros, Canton Bulldogs, Cleveland Indians, Dayton Triangles, Decatur Staleys, Hammond Pros, Massillon Tigers, Muncie Flyers, Racine Cardinals, Rochester Jeffersons and Rock Island Independents.

The first game involving an APFA team took place on September 26th, 1920, at Douglas Park in Rock Island, Illinois, as the hometown Independents flattened the St. Paul Ideals 48-0.

The inaugural season was a struggle for the APFA, with games receiving little attention from the fans and press. The early years of Pro Football witnessed APFA games averaging crowds of 4,241.

At the conclusion of the season, there were no playoffs, let alone a Super Bowl. It took more than four months before the league even bothered to crown a champion. Much as college football did for decades, the APFA determined its victor by ballot.

The victors received a silver loving cup donated by sporting goods company Brunswick-Balke-Collender. While players were not given diamond-encrusted rings, they did receive golden fobs in the shape of a football inscribed with the words “World Champions.”

In 1920, ten football teams gathered in Canton, Ohio to create the American Professional Football Association (APFA), now known as the National Football League (NFL). 

Four more teams joined the league later that year, rounding out the 14 Original NFL Towns. The teams that joined the league included: Buffalo All-Americans, Chicago Tigers, Columbus Panhandles and Detroit Heralds. The Muncie Flyers played only one game before dropping out before the end of the season, which concluded on December 19.

After initially determining champions through end-of-season standings, a playoff system was implemented in 1933 that culminated with the NFL Championship Game until 1966.

The field, end zones included, is a rectangle that measures 360 feet long by 160 feet wide. In 1933, two rows of hash marks were added near the center of the field at 1-yard intervals so that at the end of every play, the ball would be placed on the nearest hash mark.

The lines at each end of the field are termed End Lines. Those on each side are termed Sidelines. Goal Lines are established in the field 10 yards from and parallel to each end line. The area bounded by goal lines and sidelines is known as the Field of Play. The surface of the entire Field of Play must be a League-approved shade of green. The areas bounded by goal lines, end lines, and sidelines are known as the End Zones.

The Field, which includes the Field of Play and the End Zones has its rulebook that highlight the guidelines in regards to dimensions and requirements.

There are three markings on the football field which are further emphasized on the NFL rulebook. They include:

1. Line Markings: At intervals of 5 yards, yard lines (3-11-9) parallel to the goal lines are marked in the field of play.
2. Inbound Lines: In line with the inbound lines there are marks at 1-yard intervals between each distance of 5 yards for the full length of the field.
3. Goal Line: All measurements are made from the inside edges of the line marking the boundary lines.

The Ball is a “Wilson,” hand selected, bearing the signature of the Commissioner of the League, Roger Goodell.

The ball is made up of an inflated (12½ to 13½ pounds) urethane bladder enclosed in a pebble grained, leather case (natural tan color) without corrugations of any kind. It has the form of a prolate spheroid and the size and weight shall be: long axis, 11 to 11¼ inches; long circumference, 28 to 28½ inches; short circumference, 21 to 21¼ inches; weight, 14 to 15 ounces.

All players are required to wear the equipment and uniform apparel listed below, which must be of a suitably protective nature and must be designed and produced by a professional football equipment manufacturer.

1. Helmet, Face Protectors
2. Jerseys
3. Numerals
4. Pants
5. Shoulder Pads, Thigh Pads, and Knee Pads
6. Game Socks and/or Leg Coverings
7. Shoes

There are also other recommended, prohibited and optional equipment and apparel that are used in the NFL.

The New England Patriots are a professional American football team based in the Greater Boston area. The Patriots hold the records for most Super Bowl wins with six, (tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers).

The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional American football team based in Pittsburgh. Founded in 1933, the Steelers are the seventh-oldest franchise in the NFL, and the oldest franchise in the AFC with a record six Super Bowl wins.

The Dallas Cowboys nicknamed “America's Team” are a professional American football team based in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex in Dallas, Texas. They have five Super Bowl championships from their eight Super Bowl appearances. 

The Green Bay Packers are a professional American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are the third-oldest franchise in the NFL, established in 1919, and are the only non-profit, community-owned major league professional sports team based in the United States. The Packers have four Super Bowl championships.

The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. Kanas are the reigning Super Bowl champions and boast four Super Bowl titles.

The Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers have been fierce rivals since 1921, when the Packers beat the Bears 20-0, making it one of the oldest rivalries in professional football, since they are drawn in the same conference and division. They simply hate each other. The Packers have a slight lead in the series after the Bears dominated for decades with 108 wins to the Bears’ 95, and six ties. The two teams have met twice in the playoffs, winning one each. 

Although a young rivalry, the intensity of these two teams is unmatched in the NFL. Both teams are known for fielding tough, hard-hitting defensive squads, giving their games an extra element of physical magnitude. The Steelers lead the overall series, 36 to Ravens’ 26. The two teams have met four times in the playoffs, with the Steelers holding a 3–1 record and are the sole teams in the AFC North to have claimed Super Bowl victories with Steelers claiming six and the Ravens claiming two.

Tom Brady widely regarded as the greatest quarterback of all time and the GOAT NFL player, played 23 seasons in the league. Brady is a seven-time Super Bowl Champion and a three-time league MVP as well as a five-time Super Bowl MVP. 

Peyton Manning nicknamed “the Sheriff”, is considered one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. In his 18 seasons in the league, Manning won two Super Bowl titles, five league MVPS and one Super Bowl MVP.

Jerry Rice is widely regarded as the greatest wide receiver of all time and one of the greatest players in NFL history. Rice played 20 seasons in the NFL accumulating three Super Bowl championships and a Super Bowl MVP. 

Rice is the career leader in most major statistical categories for wide receivers and has scored more points than any other non-kicker in NFL history with 1,256.

Joe Montana is one of the greatest quarterbacks to have graced the NFL. Nicknamed “Joe Cool”, Montana played 16 seasons amassing four Super Bowl titles, two league MVPS and three Super Bowl MVPS. Montana was a highlight reel on the field and a must see sensation. 

Fantasy Football has had significant impact on various aspects in the NFL. They include:

1. Increased viewership: Fantasy football players are more likely to watch multiple games each week, even if their favorite team isn't playing. According to the Fantasy Sports Trade Association, 63% of fantasy football players watch more NFL games because of their fantasy teams.
2. More advertising revenue: The increased viewership translates into more advertising revenue for networks and the NFL.
3. Higher Nielsen ratings: Games with more NFL players starting in a high percentage of fans' fantasy football leagues have higher Nielsen ratings.
4. NFL embracing fantasy football: The NFL has integrated fantasy stats into broadcasts, created fantasy-centric content, and launched their own fantasy football platform in 2010. 
5. Increased fan engagement: Interest in fantasy football has led to increased interest in other forms of content dealing with fantasy football, such as podcasts, videos, and social media channels. 
6. NFL executives recognize the importance of fantasy football: A 2019 survey found that people who had played fantasy football were more than twice as likely to follow the NFL "very closely" or "somewhat closely" than those who had not.

The National Football League (NFL) has become increasingly popular globally in recent years due to a variety of factors including: 

1. Globalization of media: These include both traditional media and social media outlets. Technology has facilitated this rapid growth.

2. International initiatives: The league's efforts to expand its international reach through several international initiatives including:

• Grassroots efforts: The NFL is building a new global fanbase and inspiring athletes around the world to play football. 
• International Player Pathway Program: NFL scouts and clubs can find, train, and prepare exceptional global athletes for potential NFL careers. 
• Rapid expansion: The NFL is expanding across Europe and into South America. 
• International Federation of American Football: The global governing body responsible for growing American football around the world.

3. Growing interest in American football as a sport 

• Size of the NFL's global fan base: The NFL has over 410 million fans globally, making it the largest sports property in the world. 
• Search interest: Google Trends insights show NFL search interest growth and evolving related queries on an international scale