The only people that care about the Washington Football Team playing the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday are the latter trying to break the NFL record for consecutive preseason wins with 20. A meaningless mark – yes, but breaking a Vince Lombardi record is always a good thing.
That doesn't mean Washington players don't care about this game. Long after starters depart before sunset on a weird 6 p.m. start, there are players hoping to avoid a final curtain.
Few spots are open for maybe a dozen or more players. Most likely, the roster is already set in coaches' minds. It takes a lot to change perceptions before 27 players are cut on Tuesday. Still, there are $660,000-minimum season paychecks for the final 53, or $8,400 weekly payoffs for practice squad players.
Most years, maybe one or two players are surprises. Undrafted running back Jaret Patterson seems to have secured a spot. Cornerback Torry McTyer emerged. Troy Apke may survive after switching from safety to corner. If you bet that three-player parlay, please see the man at the Brinks truck.
Seventh-rounder Dax Milne may steal the final sixth receiver slot after an impressive recent two weeks. Same goes for tight end John Bates. Some players rise when the lights come on versus practices, though practices are more often the path to the roster.
Sammis Reyes, the Chilean basketball star who changed sports at age 25, still has a chance to stay despite shaky hands and raw knowledge. NFL coaches don't buy green bananas often, but coach Ron Rivera's staff just might convince him the tight end should stay as a blocker.
Then there are those living on the edge. Daniel Wise has a chance at defensive end. Rivera mentioned Wise during a weekday presser, something coaches seldom do unless they've noticed something special. Saahdiq Charles is working at guard and tackle trying to find a way to stay after a busted rookie year in 2020. Same goes for receiver Antonio Gandy-Golden. Two draft picks that Rivera might have to burn. Quarterback Steven Montez was moments from debuting in the Tampa Bay playoff loss in January. Now, he gets a chance to stay as a practice squad hopeful.
The backup quarterback job? Taylor Heinicke and Kyle Allen will both play against Ravens reserves. It means little. Rivera has spent a month watching them closely in practices. Nothing new comes in the game that Rivera hasn't seen each day other than Heinicke's scrambling ability against live tacklers. Rivera already knows which is the Plan B passer to Ryan Fitzpatrick, though he's two weeks away from probably admitting it shortly before opening the regular season against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Washington largely knows what it has entering the fall. The final weekend of summer means little except to those hoping to remain on Sept. 1. That spirit, desperation, final stand is what fans cheer for. It may be the final ones some players hear.
Rick Snider has covered Washington sports since 1978. Follow him on Twitter: @Snide_Remarks.