What if American Football was a video game?

Ahead of the Superbowl, Kotaku describing American Football as if it was computer game:

In Football, the two “coaches” each start the game with a deck of forty-five players. At any given time, they can use eleven of these players. During the turn-based phase, coaches can substitute any player if they see fit, for one they deem more suited to a situation…

“Downs” are “lives” in Football‘s battle system. If the offense can move the ball ten yards toward their goal within four downs, they get a “First Down”—a “continue.” Depending on the strength of the offensive team and their ability to navigate the other team’s defense, players might experience a thrilling sensation of scoring multiple first downs in a row, without ever seeing a second, third, or the dreaded “Fourth Down.”