The NFL Preseason Is Excruciating

It’s finally over!

Yes, I am talking about the unwatchable disaster that is the NFL preseason. The Bengals wrapped it up last night with a 30-28 win over the Colts that means, well, absolutely nothing.

I watched the first offensive drive, keeping my fingers crossed that nobody got hurt. After that, it was time for Marshall vs. Ohio State.

I understand that exhibition games are necessary. Some players, who would otherwise go unnoticed, make a name for themselves in the preseason and continue on to a successful career.

It is also beneficial for new players to get in sync with their teammates, such as Terrell Owens integrating into the Cincinnati offense.

However, as a fan, I cannot bring myself to watch it on television, let alone spend full price to go to the game. Knowing that the game means nothing is bad enough. Combine that with the fact that many of the players on the field in the second half will never take the field during the regular season, and you have an entertainment catastrophe.

I suspect that most fans are like me in that they just hope nobody gets injured. I was pushed over the edge last week when I received an email during the game against the Bills with the subject line, “Carson Palmer left the game with…”

I opened the message to find out that, “Carson Palmer left the game after completing nine of 11 passes for 92 yards and two touchdowns.”

After someone restarted my heart, I remember breathing a sigh of relief and taking solace in the fact that the starters wouldn’t play much in the final preseason game. They didn’t, and Carson Palmer walked out of Lucas Oil Stadium last night in one piece.

September 12th can’t get here fast enough.