I’m sure everyone has their own opinion when it comes to the question of whether NFL preseason stats count. Personally, I say it absolutely does. It may not count for the final standings, but it does give us a very good idea of how the individual players will perform in the official season.
To me, the preseason is more a kind of practice than actual time on the field. Sure, the numbers matter, but it’s also about players getting used to playing together and understanding each other’s playing style. And with the NFL’s shorter season, any opportunity to gain experience is going to have some kind of value.
Of course, some people argue that the results of any practice game aren’t 100% reliable and don’t always contribute to the actual statistics. That is true, but even so, they can still be considered. When a player does well in a preseason game, it’s a sign that they are likely performing well in the regular season too. There may be some discrepancies here and there, but that’s still the overall indication.
Take the Dallas Cowboys for example. Last season, they had an outstanding preseason, with a 5-2-0 recored. They went into the regular season with a lot of confidence, and it translated to wins on the field. They ended up having a great record, their Divison title, and their record-breaking pick in the NFL Draft. Preseason stats absolutely do count.
That’s why teams put so much effort into their preseason games. They know it’s a chance to learn about how their opponents play and figure out what kind of strategies to use against them. Every single game provides valuable information that can help determine a team’s success in the coming season.
Plus, the preseason games are great for media coverage and creating hype for the things to come. Every little thing is noticed and examined. So any minor details, including preseason stats, will make headlines. And if a team has their best start in the preseason, everyone will be talking about.
Unfortunately, preseason games often feel like a minor league for many teams. And even if the stats do count for something, the teams feel like they don’t matter. That needs to change. Every game should be treated like it matters because it does. Doing so will make the teams take the preseason more seriously and invest more in it.
Overall, I believe NFL preseason stats count. While they may not directly affect the final standings, they give us a glimpse of how players are performing and how they may do in the regular season. Teams should pay more attention and put more effort into the preseasons games. That way, the stats will be even more accurate and reliable.