Rephrase: Football Stats?

I understand Team Stats, I have a pretty great understanding of player stats..I guess the thing that I am most confused about is I just dont feel like I know enough about the game, like about when people bet on games and even if the team they picked to win did win but they still lost their bet because of the score, and I want to know about plays and stuff like how can I tell one play from another..that is most confusing for me..and I dont want to ask my boyfriend about it because I know he will just tell me to pay attention..but I do and I still dont get some things. This question isn't working out anyways if someone wants to take time out and explain a few things for me that would be great...