While it is easy to dismiss the importance of the NFL preseason, it may be more important than you deem it is. The sceptics would say that the preseason games are only for a show, a waste of time and money. However, there is more to this than meet the wanderers’ eyes.

Here’s Why NFL’s Preseason Is So Important

#1 NFL preseason is used to predict division standings, playoffs, and even Super Bowl contenders

The four-week-long preseason attempts at building momentum—for all the football teams, players, and even fans. It creates excitement and drama as well, along with professional play without getting any player injured as much as possible.

For the teams, most notably, they all have the legitimate shots at becoming the next football success story. It is the league-wide optimism that is hard to ignore. There are 31 teams in the NFL, and yet only will emerge triumphantly as the 2019 NFL season champion.

A team’s success could be deeply rooted in the preseason. Team strategists mainly consider these games as the first real test to determine whether their preparations are working or not. If they need to implement new defence and offence, these games are also the likely testing ground.

#2 NFL preseason allows a team to assess talent and performance

Preseason games have no bearing whatsoever records-wise. Nevertheless, each team is looking to complete a 58-player roster. Some of these football players will be booked based on how they played at the preseason games. 

Thus, the preseason is an opportunity to compete at game speeds they probably would encounter in the regular season. It is the experience that young football players yearn for. The majority of these players have not played for the NFL but wished to be included in a team. The third and fourth week of the preseason proved to be the crucial ones.

It may not be significant for the sceptics since no Antonio Brown, Odell Beckham Jr., or Le’Veon Bell would be playing. But it means a regular paying job for those who will be chosen. This is also the reason preseason players focus more on playing than winning. They knew that the coaching staff are watching.

#3 NFL preseason offers an opportunity to increase the bottom-line

This may be an afterthought. However, there are thousands of people who rely on the NFL as their source of livelihood. That means NFL as a whole, not just the regular season, playoffs or Super Bowl.

The preseason games are backup plays that fans still pay for as part of the packaged preseason tickets with season tickets. There is an economic domino effect that benefits those stadium workers, sellers, and even nearby establishments. Taking away one to two preseason games would affect their bottom-line negatively.

Indeed, the preseason signals the unofficial commencement of the NFL season. It exists mainly to allow the teams to gear up for the regular season and evaluate the young rosters of players. The preseason is also an opportunity for ironing out any kinks on the game plan before the regular season starts.

 

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Excitement builds up a few days before the opening of the 2019 NFL season on September 5, 2019. Several changes on the rules are lined up. The centennial emblem of the league will be unveiled as well.

However, there is nothing more exciting than seeing football players do what they do best on the field. Aside from the seasoned players—from Tom Brady to Antonio Brown, the fans are looking forward to seeing new names to rock the NFL world.

The players listed here currently appear in the Top 100 Players of 2018 list. Here they are.

1) A.J. Green

The Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver currently ranks #22. Although he was down five rankings from the previous year, Green has his 7th Pro Bowl selection under his belt. He also has 1,000 receiving yards in seven out of eight seasons.

Green is one of the most consistent players when it comes to surpassing the 1,000-yard mark. He has a strong play that made the playoffs possible for the Bengals. His speed is still impressive compared to his younger counterparts. Such agility can easily break the opposing team’s defence—his real contributions on the field.

2) LeSean McCoy

McCoy is the Buffalo Bills running back who currently ranks #30 on the said list. He was also down three rankings. McCoy has his 6th Pro Bowl selection (with 5th in a row). He was also the 30th player who has 10,000 yards on his name.

McCoy is an elusive player in the field; someone who can change directions in the most abrupt manner. The shiftiness favoured him though avoiding constant hits. This is one of the reasons for his proven longevity in the league.

3) Jadeveon Clowney

One of the most improved players, Clowney ranks #32, which is 17 positions higher than his previous ranking. He has 2nd Pro Bowl selection. Nonetheless, Clowney achieved career highs in five categories: sacks, quarterback hits, tackles, forced fumbles, and fumble recoveries. The Houston Texans defensive end ranks second to Chandler Jones in terms of quarterback hits (20+) and tackles for losses (21).

It took a while before Clowney could become comfortable in the field. But in 2016, he proved his worth and got included in the first-team All-Pro. He became the force to reckon with ever since. Clowney formed the most fearsome pass-rushing duo in NFL with J.J. Watt. Thus, he could be one of the reasons the Texans might appear in the playoff. 

4) Tyreek Hill

A wide receiver to Kansas City Chiefs, Hill ranks #40 in the list. His ranking was down four positions from 2017. Hills has 2nd Pro Bowl selection. He was also one of four players who have 1,100 receiving yards. His accomplishments include 7+ touchdowns.

Hill is a deep-field threat and a complete receiver. His dynamicity in the field is not quite apparent on any other football player. The team’s prospect for winning a ring would be strengthened if Hill won’t go anywhere else this season and the seasons to come.

 

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If there is one person in the offensive line who bears the weight of every game, that is the quarterback. Indeed, a quarterback play can lead the entire team towards winning or losing the game.

Not all quarterbacks are created equal, however. Some quarterbacks can execute an outstanding play through running the football himself or forward passing while others can’t.

Three to four names appear consistently in rankings of top quarterbacks of all-time.

These NFL quarterbacks, changed the entire American football history.

#3 – Joe Montana (1979 – 1994)

• 4x Super Bowl championships
• 3x Super Bowl MVP
• 8x Pro Bowler
• 2x NFL MVP
• NFL Offensive Player of the Year

Montana is known for his ability to keep calm, earning him the moniker ‘Joe Cool.’ With this demeanour, he was always able to direct his teammates. Montana never lost a Super Bowl with his 63.2% yards completion and 2.6% interception rates.

The come-from-behind passer delivers what is expected of him, and the most cherished moment in his professional career was the San Francisco 49ers 1988-89 playoff win. He had 19 touchdowns against a single interception.

He had a strong start in 1989 when he won the Offensive Player of the Year. Nowadays, he is also known as The Comeback Kid because of his legendary fourth-quarter comebacks. Such a deficit puts him behind Brady and Manning.

#2 – Peyton Manning (1998 – 2015)

• 2x Super Bowl championships
• Super Bowl MVP
• 14x Pro Bowler
• 5x NFL MVP
• 2x Offensive Player of the Year

Montana may have more Super Bowl championship appearances than Manning, but there is more to the man when it comes to mental battles against the opponents. He has abilities to 1) diagnose coverages and 2) break the defence. Brady is the only one who can match and even surpass his football IQ. 

Furthermore, diagnosis efficiency is the reason behind his low sack numbers with only 303 throughout 17 seasons. Manning has 65.3% yards completion and 2.7% interception rates. He attempted 9,380 passes as well during the Super Bowl XLI.

Nonetheless, he failed some playoffs that put him in the second position.

#1 – Tom Brady (2000 – present)

• 5x Super Bowl championships
• 4x Super Bowl MVP
• 12x Pro Bowler
• 2x NFL MVP
• 2x NFL Offensive Player of the Year

Brady does not possess the arm strength or the mobility of his contemporaries. Still, he has an impressive football IQ that allows him to make the most efficient decisions on the field. Other than his accuracy, Brady’s strong work ethic is his legacy.

A consistent passer, Brady’s yards completion percentage was at 63.8 (attempted more than 8,000 passes throughout his career) while his interception percentage is 1.8. He’d never went beyond that point since he became a starter. Tom Terrific’s passing prowess was one of the reasons his team has won at least five Super Bowls.

While he may be the oldest NFL quarterback to retire, he is leaving valuable lessons on nutrition, strength, and conditioning. These three change the way he trains and plays football.

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