In the NFL, what does four down territory mean?

Question

In the NFL, what does four down territory mean?

Answer 1

Fourth down is usually reserved for punting the ball or kicking a field goal. If it's four down territory, it usually means the team with the ball is losing on the scoreboard and needs to keep the ball. That means if it gets to fourth down, they won't punt but will run a normal offensive play in order to score a touchdown or earn a first down.

Answer 2

Both the above are wrong. It means strategically if a team that is trailing comes to fourth down late in a game, they need to try and get the first down instead of punting the ball away, otherwise they will lose.



Generally an announcer will say it is 4 down territory if they are looking at a long 2nd or 3rd down and it looks like they might come to a fourth down. They say that because they assume the team will go for the first down on fourth down.

Answer 3

Inside the opponents 10 yard line

Answer 4

A team will need to get a first down, no matter the yardage and down...to keep the drive going.