The first preseason game I think can be very telling. It sets the tone for the rest of the practice season and that can snowball into the regular season. The offense usually comes out looking to score on that first drive. I remember how the offense came out in 2011 and just lit up the Giants, Clausen and Cam looked solid. I was so excited because when Cam came in, it was just immediately clear that he would be the franchise QB for years to come. It became clear over the next couple of preseason and regular season games that this team would struggle to get Ws. But after that 1st preseason game I was so stoked.
What I'm saying is that the preseason can be full of surprises and that first drive in game 1 sets the tone. I think players play harder in that game, honestly. Plus, as mentioned, you get to see the kick return game in action and that will be very telling because they are going to do the same thing in reg season.
Game 1 is also a lot better if the opponent is a rival and we do kind of have a grudge thing going on with the Bears. We gutted them in that 2005 playoff game and they have had our number ever since. Plus, there's last year's heartbreaker which we lost after leading comfortably. Its a good match, because the Bears are a good team that will provide a good measure of our abilities.
