The crossword solution for the term FIRST DOWN is ABEL, which is a four-letter word. In American football, a FIRST DOWN is when a team has advanced the ball 10 yards or more from the line of scrimmage. It is the FIRST of four downs in which a team must advance the ball 10 yards or more in order to receive another set of four downs. A successful FIRST DOWN allows the team to continue their drive and keep possession of the ball.