Pick-six

A pick-six is one of the most electric plays in American football: a defender intercepts a pass (a 'pick') and returns it all the way to the end zone for a touchdown, worth six points, hence the name. It is a double blow, because the offense not only loses the ball but hands the other team points on the very same play, a potential 14-point swing if they had been driving to score themselves. Pick-sixes usually come from a quarterback misreading the coverage, a receiver running the wrong route, or a defensive back baiting the throw by disguising his positioning before jumping the pass. They change momentum in seconds and live forever on highlight reels, and the best ball-hawking cornerbacks and safeties build their reputations on them. Official news and stats are at the NFL.