August in the NFL is essentially one extended dress rehearsal.
Sure, football is technically back, but little of it resembles the game that captures our hearts and puts us on the edge of our seats. We’re not watching Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts trade shot for shot in meaningless games — even if Mahomes is still prone to wizardry. We’re mostly taking in backups and guys fiercely fighting for jobs and roster spots in a fiercely cruel league.
