Every diehard NFL fan thinks that every game their favorite team plays should be one of the top games to watch. While every week there are exciting games being played, there are always a few notable games that are played throughout the NFL’s regular season. Regardless of your favorite team, the game we will talk about promise to deliver some great football to be played, which can be looked forward to by the truest of NFL fans.
The NFL preseason delivers a full range of games each week, but many NFL watchers do not spend much time or energy on the preseason as many starting positions do not play more than the first quarter of each game. The goal of most preseason games is to determine who will be starting players and who will not make the team come the start of the regular season. There are, however, some games that are always notable during the NFL preseason. The top 5 notable preseason games will be discussed below.
Preseason Week 1: Minnesota Vikings versus Denver Broncos
This game will prove interesting as both teams are beginning the 2018 season with new quarterbacks. Filling the quarterback position correctly could be the key to both teams ending up in the playoffs, and this game will be the first time everyone can see the quarterbacks in action. Kirk Cousins will be playing for the Minnesota Vikings and Case Keenum will be the quarterback for the Denver Broncos. With the fact that this is the first week of the preseason, both of these players will not see much playing time, but it is a great opportunity to see both of them in action for the first time. Tune in to the start of the game, as neither will play much more than past the first quarter.
Preseason Week 2: Buffalo Bills versus Cleavland Browns
Anyone who follows football would not think of these two teams playing each other as a must see football game. The Cleavland Browns have continually had disappointing seasons, and the Buffalo Bills have not had much better records. The reason this game is notable is the fact that both teams are on the hunt for new quarterbacks. This game will likely see both quarterbacks playing longer than normal in a preseason game. There are several quarterbacks vying for the position, and it promises to be an interesting game, since it is an opportunity for all the quarterback to prove themselves.
Preseason Week 3: New York Giants versus New York Jets
Anytime the Giants and the Jets play, it is always an interesting game. They share a stadium and always bring a level of excitement and competitiveness when they play. The Jets are another team in the market for a new quarterback, and will use this game as an opportunity to give their picks time to prove themselves. The Giants are also on the hunt for another quarterback to back up Eli Manning, as he is nearing the end of his playing career. The Giants will also use this game as an opportunity to showcase their draft pick in both the running back and defensive end positions, which will provide some good, quality football to watch, even in the preseason.
Preseason Week 3: San Francisso 49’ers versus Indianapolis Colts
This game is another game where the quarterback position will be highly watched. The Colts are deciding if Andrew Luck or Jacoby Brissett will be the starting quarterback, and by week 3 of the preseason, the answer should be a little bit clearer. If Andrew Luck starts the game, it will be likely that he will be the staring quarterback for the season. If Jacoby Brissett starts, Colts fans may be panicked, as a brand new quarterback could be running the team when the regular season starts. The 49’ers have a new quarterback in place, and by this point in the preseason, he should be be showing true potential in the position. This game will also allow fans to get a glimpse of Richard Sherman, the very popular and talented cornerback that the 49’ers acquired in the off season.
Preseason Week 4: Dallas Cowboys versus Houston Texans
Not only is this game a matchup of the Texas teams, is it also a chance for the teams to show their rivalries on the field. Dak Prescott was one of the notable quarterbacks from last year, and fans have eagerly been waiting to see him in action again. The Texans will have Deshaun Watson back after suffering a bad knee injury last season, and by this point should be showing how he is going to hold up returning from that injury. Many fans will tune in to also see the rivalry between the two teams. Football is big in Texas, and when two Texas teams play each other, preseason or regular season, it always proves to be an exciting matchup between the teams.
While all die hard football fans will always intently watch their favorite teams in the preseason, preseason games normally do not have the fan base that regular season games have. The games that we did mention above are sure to have more people tuning in to watch than others, as fans are ready to see what changes were made during the offseason and how players look on the field.
The preseason is a good way to judge how the regular season will look. Players always give their all as they know this is their opportunity to show what they can offer the team, and some players are working to obtain a spot on the team or to secure a starting position. A team that struggles or shines during the preseason will normally follow that trend into the regular season. Keeping your eyes on the preseason will be a good indicator of what is to come when the regular season kicks off, and any opportunity to have a football party, is a good opportunity, so get your friends and family together and tune in to get your football fix during the preseason.