NFL Preseason: How To Watch (Mostly) Meaningless Games Properly
I was in Jake’s, a fine bar in the Willow Glen neighborhood of San Jose, during the NFL preseason game between Las Vegas and Minnesota. It was a good time to get something to eat, do some writing and check out the Raiders.
What I didn’t expect was the energy. Raiders fans were seriously geeked up to see the Silver-and-Black play a meaningless game. Then again, when your team hasn’t won a playoff game since the 2002 season, you tend to search for meaning every chance you get.
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - AUGUST 20: A Las Vegas Raiders fan cheers on the team during the preseason game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on August 20, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
I’ve probably been subjected to 100 exhibition games over the past 30 years. At three hours each, that’s 300 hours. The only thing I can say about those 300 hours is that I’m that much closer to death from watching them.
Still, I try to take in as much as I can stomach and constantly think to myself: “OK, what can I get out of this moment. What’s really going on?” My other thought is, “What’s the point of settling for field goals in the preseason when you can actually practice some fourth-down plays?” But that’s another argument for another time.
Aside from the obvious question about who is playing early in the game (coaches don’t waste time on players they don’t think have a chance to make the team), here are some thoughts on how to watch exhibition games. Because if you’re going to watch NFL preseason football, this is the week since the starters will play more than usual.