Why NFL Preseason Actually Matters + Bezos’ Commanders Takeover
The Pulse: Your Friendly Guide to This Weekend’s Sports Action
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Section 1: How to Actually Watch NFL Preseason Games (Without Going Crazy)
The problem: Football is back! But preseason games don’t count for records or stats. So… why watch?
The answer: They’re not useless — you just need to know what to look for. Think of it like watching a rehearsal before the big play. The actors (players) are trying out lines, the directors (coaches) are testing scenes, and the script (playbook) is super basic.
PRO TIP: There’s a name for people who love watching preseason football: sickos. (Wear it proudly!)
Three Expert Ways to Watch Like a Pro
1. Watch Like a Scout (Ted Nguyen, The Athletic)
"Look for transferable skills and growth — not flashy plays."
What to look for (step-by-step):
- Quarterbacks: Are they running the offense before the snap? Making rhythm throws? Not scrambling every play?
- Young players: Is this part of their long-term development arc? (One good game ≠ superstar)
- Schemes are vanilla — both sides run basic stuff. Ignore the play design; watch the player.
Important: Carson Beck looked great in the Hall of Fame Game, but beat reporters say he’s been inconsistent in practice. One game ≠ the whole story.
2. Watch for Fantasy Football (Jake Ciely)
"I care about snap counts — especially with new coaches or schemes."
Your fantasy checklist:
- Who’s playing with the starters?
- How many snaps in different formations?
- Did the offensive coordinator change? New system = new opportunities.
3. Watch for the Rookies (Dave Helman, The Athletic Football Show)
"Rookies get tons of snaps the next two weeks. Some will be stars soon."
Why this works: Veterans sit. Rookies have to play. You’re seeing the future — live.
Real-Life Example: De’Zhaun Stribling (49ers Rookie WR)
| What Happened | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Drafted #33 overall | High investment = high opportunity |
| 6’2", 207 lbs, 4.36 speed | Rare size/speed combo |
| Star in training camp (beat reporters loved him) | Preseason matches practice hype |
| 7 catches, 8 targets, 63 yds vs. Titans’ starters | High usage + good defense = real signal |
Fantasy drafters: Put a next to his name. Consistency + opportunity = value.
Section 2: News You Need to Know (Quick Hits)
RIP Skip Bertman — The Man Who Changed College Baseball
- Who: LSU baseball coach → Athletic Director
- Legacy: 5 national titles, 41 MLB players, hired Nick Saban & Les Miles (2 football titles)
- Don’t miss: His famous "bent nickel" speech — watch it here
Rapid-Fire Roundup
- NFL: Falcons’ James Pearce Jr. suspended 8 games (Feb felony arrest)
- WNBA: Caitlin Clark (29) vs. Paige Bueckers (29) — point guard duel of the year!
- MLB: Nationals move All-Star CJ Abrams from SS → 2B (he’s… not thrilled)
- Dodgers: Shohei Ohtani threw a bullpen Friday — could pitch again this season!
- Golf: Scottie Scheffler shot 61 (6 birdies in first 7 holes!) — leads FedEx St. Jude
- College FB: Ohio State doing Senior Day in Week 1 (not vs. Michigan — weird, right?)
- Soccer: Jeff Bezos buys minority stake in Liverpool — his first pro sports deal
- Flag Football: USA’s 14-year undefeated streak SNAPPED by American Samoa (QB: Taulia Tagovailoa, Tua’s little bro)
- NFL: Seahawks sign CB Terrion Arnold (released by Detroit after arrest) — coach explains why
- NBA: Dennis Schröder traded again — 12th team in 14 seasons (Cavs → Hornets, clears path for Peyton Watson pursuit)
Want more? 24/7 news here
Section 3: What to Watch This Weekend
| Game/Show | Time (ET) | Channel | Why Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Fever Pitch: Rise of the Premier League" | Anytime | Paramount+ | How English soccer went from "slum sport" to global juggernaut (docuseries + book) |
| Brewers @ Dodgers | 7:15 PM | Fox | Jacob Misiorowski (must-watch pitcher) + Dodgers’ shaky bullpen |
| Lynx @ Aces | 8:00 PM | CBS | WNBA title favorites, primetime Saturday — say no more |
Get tickets: StubHub link
Section 4: Pulse Picks — Cool Stuff We Loved This Week
- Leadership secrets: 11 pro athletes share the #1 trait of great leaders
- Trivia time: Test your sports IQ — this week’s quiz
- Film nerd corner: Always for Pleasure (1978) — Les Blank’s doc on NOLA culture (Alex Iniguez is obsessed)
- True crime: Ex-NFL super agent accused of orchestrating a murder decades ago — wild investigation
- Free trophy viewing: Larry O’Brien Trophy at AMNH in NYC (Lauren Merola: "made me quite happy")
- Kit rankings: MLS Archive Collection — justice for Austin FC?
- Music: New Phoebe Bridgers album — four words: listen to it
- FAQ answered: Jayden Daniels / LSU / NIL / jersey number mess — Ira Gorawara breaks it down
- Board games: GenCon 2026 standouts — including a mini version of a classic (James Austin)
Most-clicked yesterday: Field of Dreams game fan scene
Summary: Your Weekend Cheat Sheet
| Priority | Action Item |
|---|---|
| NFL Preseason | Watch rookies, track snap counts, compare to camp reports |
| Must-Watch TV | Fever Pitch (Premier League doc), Brewers-Dodgers, Lynx-Aces |
| Read This | Skip Bertman obit, Jayden Daniels FAQ, leadership piece |
| Fantasy Alert | De’Zhaun Stribling (49ers WR) — rising fast |
| Wild Stat | Dennis Schröder = 12 teams in 14 years |
FAQ: Your Questions, Answered
Q: Do preseason games really matter for fantasy football?
A: Not the scores — but snap counts, usage, and role absolutely do. If a rookie gets 1st-team reps in Week 2 of preseason, that’s a neon sign.
Q: Why did Ohio State move Senior Day to Week 1?
A: Great question! Usually it’s the last home game (vs. Michigan). Moving it to Week 1 is… unconventional. Probably scheduling/TV reasons, but it feels weird. Read more.
Q: Is Shohei Ohtani actually pitching again this year?
A: GM Brandon Gomes said "could take the mound again" after Friday’s bullpen. Translation: he’s progressing, but no date set. Don’t draft him as a pitcher yet.
Q: How did American Samoa beat the USA in flag football?
A: QB Taulia Tagovailoa (Tua’s younger brother) led the upset. USA had won 14 straight world championships. Flag football is fast — one hot QB changes everything.
Q: What’s the "bent nickel" speech?
A: Skip Bertman’s legendary talk about value, toughness, and overlooked things — using a bent nickel as a metaphor. It’s 3 minutes. Watch it. You’ll remember it.
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See you Monday!
— The Pulse Team
This article is a beginner-friendly summary of The Athletic’s "The Pulse" newsletter (Aug 15, 2026). All original links, credits, and reporting preserved. For the full experience, subscribe to The Pulse.