NFL Preseason: What Does It Mean By the Numbers?

After seeing the Hall of Fame Game cancelled to a playing field malfunction, the 2016 NFL preseason is off and running. But what does it all mean in the long run?

We are getting ready to wrap up the first complete weekend of the 2016 NFL preseason. On Sunday afternoon at San Francisco, the 49ers will host the Houston Texans.

So what did we learn from the first 15 games played. We saw some flashes from rookies and newcomers and the Rams make their return to Los Angeles – the latter resulting in a 28-24 victory over the Dallas Cowboys.

But what do the results from the preseason really add amount to. Is there any real meaning to the wins and the losses?

Aug 13, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans tight end Phillip Supernaw (89) carries the ball away from San Diego Chargers defensive back Darrell Stuckey (25) during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Lindsey-USA TODAY Sports /

Well, what is clear is that you don’t want to lose all of your summertime tilts. For whatever reason, it’s important that a team somehow gets a win in the preseason.

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How so? It may be difficult to believe but that there has been only one instance in Super Bowl history in which a club went without a preseason victory and still managed to hoist the Lombardi trophy the same season.

That would be the 1982 Washington Redskins, who went 0-4 in the summer and 8-1 in the strike-shortened NFL campaign. Joe Gibbs’ team, led by quarterback Joe Thiesmann and Hall of Fame running back John Riggins, would sweep through the Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins on the way to capturing Super Bowl XVII at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.

Aug 12, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd (83) makes a catch against Minnesota Vikings cornerback Jabari Price (25) in the first half in a preseason NFL football game at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

That’s it. One time in 50 years and it was during a reduced season. In case you’re curious, eight teams have gone undefeated during the preseason and gone onto win the Super Bowl, the latest being the 2013 Seattle Seahawks (XLVIII). By the way, the last club to post a losing record in the summer while still going on to win the Big Game were the 2007 New York Giants (1-3), who defeated the then-unbeaten New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII.

As far as reaching the playoffs these days, an undefeated preseason is far from a guarantee. Meanwhile, losing all of those “meaningless” games doesn’t spell disaster.

From 1990-15 (under the current 12-team playoff format), 28 of the 53 clubs that did not lose a game during the preseason. And although just 10 of the 49 squads that finished winless during the preseason over the span went onto the postseason, six of those examples have come in the last seven seasons (’09 Cardinals, ’10 Bears, ’10 Colts, ’11 Falcons, ’14 Cowboys and ’14 Colts).

Of course, we are all reminded of the 2008 Detroit Lions, an immaculate 4-0 in the preseason and a “perfect” 0-16 when the games counted.

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So what do we all really learn from these games each summer? While reps and rhythm are very important, the final results and margin of victory or defeat are often meaningless.

Then again, posting a goose egg in the preseason is highly ill-advisable.

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