Did you know the Baltimore Ravens have set an NFL record with 22 straight preseason victories?
Whether you were aware or not, I am sure you’re response is similar to mine which is, who cares?
The Ravens have not lost an exhibition game in seven years (September 3rd, 2015) and what that means is absolutely nothing, zero, zilch.
🔥 THE STREAK LIVES ON 🔥
The Baltimore Ravens win their 22nd consecutive game in preseason play, a new NFL record❗ pic.twitter.com/Y3EXY79nL4
— NFL on ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsNFL) August 22, 2022
This has not translated to the regular season where in the last six years, Baltimore has only seen the playoffs three times.
In addition, they never made it passed the divisional round.
If you are curious, the Ravens finished last in 2021 in the AFC North with an 8-9 record.
Baltimore will complete its preseason schedule at home tomorrow (Saturday) against Washington.
The streak has no credibility because most of the starters play little or not at all.
While the uniforms may look the same, the players wearing them, for the most part, are not.
In Baltimore’s 24-17 Sunday victory over Arizona, both teams rested the majority of their star players, including their starting quarterbacks.
Both Arizona’s Kyler Murray and Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson haven’t played at all so far in the preseason.
Comedy writer RJ Currie stated after the Ravens’ 22nd straight preseason victory: “That’s like the most beautiful girl in school telling you week after week that maybe one day she’ll go out with you.”
Seattle Times columnist Dwight Perry added: “Can’t wait for the Ravens to announce their
“Mr. August” award.
It won’t be long before the hockey season begins with the Prince George Cougars, Prince George Spruce Kings, and Cariboo Cougars all having exhibition games next month.
There are different theories on the importance of “winning” during the preseason.
The majority opinion, including mine, is that with no points, standings, or championships on the line, the “W” is irrelevant.
Just surviving the dress rehearsal without obtaining a significant injury is a victory unto itself.
On the other hand, one could try to argue that although results do not count, it is important for a team to establish a winning attitude right from the start.
Even if two points are not at stake, a team should not let up since this is where injuries and/or bad habits can occur.
Scores are kept in the pre-season primarily because fans and media want a result, even though these games contain no substance.
An exhibition game, or “friendly” match, is nothing more than to allow prospects and bubble players a chance to earn a spot on the team.
The established veterans need a minimal amount of playing time, if any, just to prepare them for the regular season.
There are plenty of examples that indicate preseason scoreboard results are completely misleading and often a tease for a struggling team.
In the NFL, the Cleveland Browns went 4-0 in the pre-season in 2017 and yet ended 0-16 when it counted in the regular season.
In 2008, the Detroit Lions did the same thing.
On the other hand, the LA Rams won the Super Bowl early this year in 2022 after going 0-3 in the 2021 preseason.
In the NHL, the Colorado Avalanche went 2-4 in the 2021-22 preseason before going on to win the 2022 Stanley Cup.
In the same season, the Arizona Coyotes went 5-1 in exhibition games before ending up with the worst record in the Western Conference with a dismal record of 25-50-7.
There are many more examples in virtually every established league, but with just these in mind, it is foolish to put any stock into how a team might perform in the real season based on fabricated pre-season results.
I am not the first to suggest that all a preseason victory means is that their 2nd and 3rd stringers, practice squad, and soon-to-be-released players are better than yours.
FROM THE QUOTE RACK:
Police investigating couple who allegedly engaged in sex act in Coliseum stands during A’s game. Well, apparently at least someone from Oakland scored during the game.
*Comedy writer Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com
The Portland Trail Blazers will not send their TV or radio broadcasters on road trips, instead having them announce games from home. There you have it — the NBA season’s first non-traveling call.
*Dwight Perry of the Seattle Times http://www.seattletimes.com/author/dwight-perry/
In the wake of his newly announced 11-game suspension, QB Deshaun Watson said that someday he hopes to tell his side of the story. Which reminds me—-what’s the latest update on O.J. Simpson’s search for the ’real killers’?
*Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California
In Case You Missed It:
Retired two-time U.S. Olympian and gold medal swimmer, Townley Haas, recently got married. Keeping a wife happy is a lot like swimming — you take the plunge, try not to make waves, and once in a while you have to crawl.
*Western Canadian comedy writer RJ Currie www.Sportsdeke.com
Hartley Miller is the news and sports director/supervisor plus morning news anchor for 94.3 the GOAT and Country 97fm. He is entering his 10th season as the radio colour commentator for P.G. Cougars’ home games. Hartley has been on the Prince George airwaves since 1979 and is the author of You Don’t Say (sports quotes).
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