NFL Decoded, Learn the NFL from zero

Plain explainers of how the game actually works: the rules, the stats, the teams, and why any of it matters.

Start with the stats

Latest Decoded Blogs

Raiders Week 2 Review: the pressure numbers behind a 2-0 start

September 22, 2026

Raiders are 2-0 after a 26-14 win at the Chargers, and the story is the pass rush: by one Next Gen Stats measure they now pressure the quarterback more than any defence in the NFL. Cousins was sharp, and the viral fumble stat needed a second look.

NFL Week 2: the defences answered back

September 22, 2026

The fireworks of Week 1 gave way to a defensive Sunday: the Bears crashed from 59 points to 3, the Saints stunned the Ravens on the road, and the Chargers slid to 0-2. Here are the full Week 2 results and the stories behind them.

Do NFL stats lie? The Bears rushing number, decoded

September 21, 2026

The Bears have three 250-yard rushing games since last season, against four for the rest of the league combined. The number is real, but it runs on two chosen dials: the start date and the yard line. Move either and other teams reappear.

NFL Rivalries

NFL’s oldest & most-played rivalry

How the rivalry flipped

The Cowboys 1970’s power decade

How one resignation called it

Why this one is always so close

The basics

Football Decoded

Want to get to the bones of the game? Start with breakdowns on offense, defense, special teams, and who actually calls the plays.

How the NFL Works Decoded

Start here. The season, the playoffs, the two conferences, and how the whole thing fits together from zero.

NFL Rules Decoded

Scoring, positions, penalties and overtime, each explained plainly with every term defined the first time it appears.

NFL Stats Decoded

Passer rating, QBR, sacks, point differential. What the numbers actually measure, and when they mislead.

NFL Teams Decoded

All 32 clubs ranked by championships, the rivalries you’d inherit, and how to pick a team if you’re starting out.

H

Super Bowl Decoded

Every winner, the records, and how to watch it wherever you are, including the time-zone maths for Europe.

FAQ

What is Gridiron Decoded?
A site that explains the NFL to people who were never taught it. Plain explainers of the rules, the stats, the teams and how the season works, with every term defined the first time it comes up. I write it all myself, and I assume you know nothing about the sport.
What does gridiron mean?
Gridiron is a nickname for American football, taken from the look of the field. When the game was young the pitch was marked out in a grid of lines, which resembled a gridiron, the metal grate you cook over an open fire. The name stuck even after the markings changed.
Do I need to know anything about American football to read this site?
No. That’s the entire point. Every page assumes you’re starting from zero, and anything that sounds like jargon gets explained on the spot. If you’ve only ever watched five minutes of a game and had no idea what was happening, you’re exactly who I’m writing for.
Who writes Gridiron Decoded, and how does it stay free?
I’m Alison, and I write every page here. I’m a sports marketer, and what pulled me to the NFL was how deeply its fans know the game. The site stays free through sponsored placements, which are always clearly labelled, with every paid link marked as sponsored.

Still have more questions?

Email me at partners@gridirondecoded.com .

Sponsorship enquiries are welcome, and I’ll consider genuine guest editorials, interviews or insight-driven content if it comes from someone who actually works at the company and has something useful to say to a reader learning the NFL.