Football: Stupid Question

Factual Questions
1

Yes, I admit it: I don’t follow football, so I forget the rules. However, I did catch a glimpse of the 1st Quarter of last week’s Dallas-Eagles game. The Eagles were said to be “1st and Goal” while standing on the Dallas 20 yardline. Now, please correct me, but why isn’t this “1st and 10”? I thought you have 4 tries to move the ball 10 yards. If correct, I then thought “1st and Goal” means you are within the 10 yard mark from the goal…too close to apply the 10-yard rule for a first down.

Please clarify! I know, now hang my head in shame for asking, right? But, I love baseball, hot dogs, apple pie and Chevrolet!

  • Jinx
2

Such a situation is possible if there was a holding penalty or personal foul on the previous down.

3

What PG said. They had 1st and goal from the 5 then got hit with a 15 yard penalty. It’s still first down but they’re now on the 20 yard line. The original line of scrimmage still determines how far you have to go for the first down.