NFL Preseason Schedule Features Insignificant Games Of Great Interest

The NFL released its national TV schedule for the 2009 preseason, and already there is great intrigue and compelling stories about poorly played games that don’t matter. The first game, the Hall of Fame game between the Bills and Titans, gives us our first look at Terrell Owens in a Bills uniform — unless a preseason game is not considered a mandatory team activity (and under Dick Jauron, this could be the case). Then there is a Super Bowl rematch that won’t be nearly as super when the Cardinals visit the Steelers Aug. 17, with ESPN’s Tony Kornheiser sure to proclaim this as an epic rematch of monumental significance. Then there’s Panthers-Giants and Eagles-Colts, also rans from last year’s playoffs, the Titans and Cowboys in the first game in the opulent new Cowboys Stadium and a bunch of other games that also are of no importance.

Full schedule of national TV games of no consequence after the jump.

2009 NFL Preseason National TV Schedule

Hall of Fame Game
Sunday, Aug. 9    Buffalo Bills vs. Tennessee Titans, at Canton, Ohio    NBC (8 p.m. ET)
Week 1 (Aug. 13-17)
Thursday, Aug. 13    Arizona Cardinals at Pittsburgh Steelers    ESPN (8 p.m. ET)
Monday, Aug. 17    Carolina Panthers at New York Giants    ESPN (8 p.m. ET)
Week 2 (Aug. 20-24)
Thursday, Aug. 20    Philadelphia Eagles at Indianapolis Colts    FOX (8 p.m. ET)
Friday, Aug. 21    Tennessee Titans at Dallas Cowboys    FOX (8 p.m. ET)
Monday, Aug. 24    New York Jets at Baltimore Ravens    ESPN (8 p.m. ET)
Week 3 (Aug. 27-31)
Thursday, Aug. 27    Miami Dolphins at Tampa Bay Buccaneers    FOX (8 p.m. ET)
Friday, Aug. 28    New England Patriots at Washington Redskins    CBS (8 p.m. ET)
Saturday, Aug. 29    San Diego Chargers at Atlanta Falcons    CBS (8 p.m. ET)
Sunday, Aug. 30    Chicago Bears at Denver Broncos    NBC (8 p.m. ET)
Monday, Aug. 31    Minnesota Vikings at Houston Texans    ESPN (8 p.m. ET)

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Member of the Television Critics Association. Charter member of the Ancient and Mystic Society of No Homers. Squire of the Ancient & Benevolent Order of the Lynx, Lodge 49, Long Beach, Calif. Costco Wholesale Gold Star Member since 2011.