the red zone
noun
American football
: the area of the field that is inside an opponent's 20-yard line
Examples of the red zone in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Following that theft at the Eagles’ 38-yard line with 12 minutes remaining, backup safety Marques Sigle delivered an unnecessary-roughness hit on a sliding Hurts, vaulting the Eagles toward the red zone and ultimately a 33-yard Jake Elliott field goal for a 19-17 lead with 8 minutes remaining.
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Cam Inman, Mercury News, 12 Jan. 2026
The Patriots drove into the red zone on their first possession of the third quarter, but the drive ended when Maye was strip-sacked by Odafe Oweh and De’Shawn Hand recovered for the Chargers.
—David Matthews, New York Daily News, 12 Jan. 2026
Stroud was intercepted by Steelers defensive back Brandin Echols near the goal line, as Houston drove into the red zone.
—January 12, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026
Or an actual shutout inside the red zone, which has been more like a red carpet for opponents facing the league’s worst defense inside its own 20-yard line?
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 12 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“The red zone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20red%20zone. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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