NFL. Need help with Football basics.

Hey folks,

So it's the NFL season in the US. Great!
Unfortunately, the state I reside does not have a football team at the national level that participates in the much coveted NFL.
How sad! When I was on my way to the US I was told by some of my friends who have been here before and have an interest in the US sports to go at least one time and watch an NFL match. But when I arrived here I found out that New Mexico state does not participate in the NFL and no match is held here in its biggest city of Albuquerque.

Anyways! before this sad incident could take hold of me and drag me into the world of despair I started forgetting about it and instead revived my interest in the game of cricket - the game I excelled at back home, some time back in my teenage. I played for at least two years on and off, but I would invariably be asked about the US sports, mainly about the Football, Baseball, and Basketball.

So, finally, after three years I decided to educate myself about the sports people are crazy about here in the US. I bought a ticket and went straight to the Pit (the ground name) to see a match between New Mexico Lobos (which I supported) and Abilene Christian Wildcats. I loved being there, it was absolutely stunning, the environment, the people, the chants, the slogans. It was the first time I saw how enthusiastic the fan can be, very full of energy till the last moment of the game. The players also reciprocated by energetic performances. This way everybody, the players and the spectators contributed equally in creating a wonderful ambiance, the likes of which are hardly seen anywhere in the world.

I hardly could get myself to sitting down in one place to enjoy the game. Like I said, it was my first time I very much wanted to experience everything that the game offers i.e. the energy of the crowd, the food, the beers, the game itself, the big stadium to explore, the lovely and friendly people etc. and I did succeed at all.

Sometimes I would force myself to sit and watch the match but I could hardly understand anything so I best utilized my time experiencing other things that I just mentioned. My team the Lobos won the match and everybody was cheering for them, so was I but for a different reason. I just wanted to be part of the crowd, to participate in whatever they were doing and enjoy with them.

Though this post, however, I am asking you guys to teach me some basics about the game so that when I go there the next time I enjoy the way Americans do. I want to educate myself about the game. Can somebody help me do so? I hope you will.
Looking forward to hearing from some football enthusiats and experts.

Have a great NFL season, hope the best team wins.

Best,
Abro.