The NFL preseason means nothing in the grand scheme of things. We’ve all heard it before and understand the most significant aspect of the preseason is escaping it healthy.
On Monday night from FedEx Field, the Baltimore Ravens, winners of 24 consecutive preseason games, traveled to Landover to face the Washington Commanders. The two teams got together for two days of joint practices last week, and tensions were high at times.
In one of the more entertaining preseason games in recent memory, the Commanders ended the Ravens’ streak when kicker Joey Slye made a 49-yard field with 10 seconds remaining.
The fans who remained at FedEx Field were excited, losing themselves in the moment. After all, the newly-energized Washington fan base hasn’t had a lot to cheer for over the years.
New Washington owner Josh Harris was happy, too. After all, it was his first home game as the owner of the team he grew up rooting for. One of his minority partners, Magic Johnson, watched the game and reacted on Twitter afterward.
I know it’s only preseason but the @Commanders victory over the Ravens to end their NFL preseason win streak was a lot of fun for Commanders fans!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) August 22, 2023
Johnson is right. Yes, it’s the preseason, and it means very little. But, for a fan base that has struggled for something positive over the years, seeing them excited was a good thing.
Now, Harris, Johnson and the rest of Washington’s ownership hope that excitement carries over into the regular season, where the Commanders have struggled to fill FedEx Field with Washington fans in recent years.