The Super Bowl for dummies

One of the biggest events in world sport takes place on Sunday night, with the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks meeting at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey to decide the winner of Super Bowl XLVIII.

For the Seahawks, this is a second Super Bowl appearance and the chance for a first victory, while Denver are looking to add to previous Super Bowl successes of 1997 and 1998.

For those preparing to watch their first Super Bowl, we thought we’d give you a heads up on what you can look forward to, how you can bet on the action and a summary of the key terms you need to listen out for.

How long does it last?

The actual game lasts for one hour, broken down into two halves, which each consist of two 15-minute quarters.

Each team also gets the opportunity to use three timeouts in each half and there are plenty of other stoppages likely, including the need to check playbacks and treat injuries. These delays can result in NFL matches lasting longer than three hours in total.

Half-time entertainment also adds to the spectacle, with Bruno Mars the main star this time.

How do you score points?

The aim of the game is to have control of the ball in the ‘end zone’ of the opposition, similar to the try line in rugby.

Each team has four ‘downs’ to attempt to move forwards 10 yards, which can be done by running the ball forward or throwing a pass to a teammate. If this isn’t achieved on the third down, there is the option to punt the ball forward or risk conceding possession where the last tackle is made.

A touchdown is worth six points and a field goal is worth three points.

What are the key terms?

Down: A down is a phase of play, with a team getting four ‘downs’ to attempt to gain at least 10 yards.