Offensive and defensive football positions explained: What are they and why are there two different teams

American football can often be a challenging game to understand. Terms are precise, and language can be a barrier for new fans.

One significant aspect of the NFL is that teams have specialist players for both offense and defense.

Unlike soccer, where the same group of players plays through every phase of the game, NFL teams have two different units for offense and defense. Both units will feature 11 players, but their roles and jobs are specific.

Here, DAZN News explains the different positions on NFL offenses and defenses.

Offense

Quarterback (QB)

Role: The leader of the offense. The quarterback is responsible for calling plays, receiving the snap from the center, and either passing the ball, handing it off to a running back, or running with it himself.

Key skills: Arm strength, accuracy, decision-making, leadership, and pocket awareness.

Running Back (RB)

Role: Primarily responsible for carrying the ball on running plays, but can also catch passes. There are two main types of running backs:

• Halfback (HB): The main ball carrier.
• Fullback (FB): A bigger, stronger running back, often used for blocking or short-yardage runs.

Key skills: Field vision, speed and agility, power, balance, good hands for catching passes or holding onto the ball while running, and strong blocking ability to protect the quarterback.

Kathryn Riley/Getty Images

Wide Receiver (WR)

Role: Wide receivers are responsible for running routes and catching passes from the quarterback. They usually line up away from the line of scrimmage.

Key skills: Speed, agility, route-running, ability to catch the ball, and skill in evading defenders.

Tight end (TE)

Role: Tight ends combine the responsibilities of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver -  asked to block on certain plays, while also catching passes on others.

Key skills: Speed, agility, ability to catch the ball, strength, size, and blocking technique.

Offensive Lineman (OL)

Role: Offensive linemen protect the quarterback on passing plays and open lanes for the running backs. There are several sub-positions, such as:

• Tackle (OT): Players positioned at the ends of the offensive line.
• Guard (OG): Players between the tackles and the center.
• Center (C): The player who snaps the ball and helps protect the quarterback.

Key skills: Strength, size, blocking technique, pre-snap awareness.

Defense

Defensive Lineman (DL)

Role: Defensive linemen try to break through the offensive line to stop the run or pressure the quarterback. They include:

• Defensive End (DE): Positioned at the ends of the defensive line, often tasked with pressuring the quarterback.
• Defensive Tackle (DT): Positioned inside the line, specialising in stopping the run.

Key skills: Power, speed, agility, pass rush moves.

Linebacker (LB)

Role: Linebackers need to be skilled at stopping the run and the pass. They typically line up a few yards behind the defensive line.

Key skills: Speed, awareness, play recognition, tackling, agility.

Defensive Back (DB)

Role: Defensive backs cover opposing receivers and defend against passes. They include:

• Cornerbacks (CB): Specialists in covering wide receivers, following them throughout their routes to prevent completions.
• Safeties (S): Generally divided into free safety (FS) and strong safety (SS). The FS covers deep areas of the field, while the SS often plays closer to the line to help defend against the run.

Key skills: Speed, agility/coordination, play recognition, coverage/positioning, strong tackling, and focus.

How to watch the NFL on DAZN

Every NFL game during the 2025 regular season and playoffs — including the Super Bowl — is available worldwide on DAZN, excluding the United States and China.

DAZN is the only place to watch NFL Game Pass International, with access to every regular-season NFL game and every playoff matchup. That's 335 games per season, and each game is available live* and on demand.

NFL GPI will be available through the DAZN app either as a standalone subscription or an add-on to an existing DAZN package to customers worldwide**, excluding the United States and China.

* In the United Kingdom, up to two Sunday games per week will air on DAZN on a 24-hour tape delay.

** Viewers in Canada can access all NFL content through their regular DAZN subscription.

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