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)