Keep Saying: "It's Only Preseason"

Remember a few years ago when the Detroit Lions went 0-16 in the 2008 regular season? That year, they also went 4-0 in the preseason before setting an NFL record for futility, breaking the 1976 Tampa Bay Buccaneers record when they went 0-14.

The point is, a team's won-loss record in the preseason has zero relevance on how the team will do when the games count for real. The starters need to get their reps in and get used to the guys next to and in front of them. The reserves need to state a case for being part of the final roster. The coaches need to try different formations and combinations of players to figure out what works best.

Lest any Baltimore Ravens fan get concerned about what seemed to be a relatively ineffective overall team performance in their 27-12 loss to the Lions last night, understand that other than giving the backups and reserves a chance to continue to prove what they can do. The main thing is for the team to get out there and hit somebody else and escape the game with no injuries.

With that in mind, the game was a success. Nothing more, nothing less. It's only preseason.