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Cancel the NFL preseason, or at least dramatically overhaul it

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The Oakland Raiders "hosted" the Green Bay Packers in a preseason game in Winnipeg, Canada. The field at Investors Group Field — home of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the CFL — is set up for that league's dimensions. That also includes field goal posts in the end zones. That created a problem Thursday night.

Aaron Rodgers was expected to make his preseason debut. Instead, he was one of 33 Packers players who sat out Thursday night's exhibition. Of the Packers players who did play, two key members of the team were injured.

Cam Newton did play. The Carolina Panthers might regret that decision, as the quarterback was in a walking boot by the end of the night after suffering a foot injury.

Across the NFL, teams are opting to not play starters in preseason games, instead relying on joint practices with other teams to simulate actual game situations and keep vital assets out of harm's way. That leaves sloppy, penalty-plagued football for the preseason games. Paste BN Sports' Mike Jones has seen enough, suggesting it's time for the NFL to overhaul its preseason setup.

- PHOTOS: Best of the preseason | Cheerleaders | Training camp

Remaining NFL preseason Week 3 schedule

(All times Eastern)

Friday

Cleveland Browns at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 7:30 p.m.

Buffalo Bills at Detroit Lions, 8 p.m. (CBS)

Saturday

Arizona Cardinals at Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m. (NFL Network)

Houston Texans at Dallas Cowboys, 7 p.m. (NFL Network)

Chicago Bears at Indianapolis Colts, 7 p.m. 

New Orleans Saints at New York Jets, 7:30 p.m.

San Francisco 49ers at Kansas City Chiefs, 8 p.m.

Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Rams, 9 p.m.

Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Chargers, 10 p.m. (NFL Network)

Sunday

Pittsburgh Steelers at Tennessee Titans, 8 p.m. (NBC)

- Complete preseason schedule

Prepare for your fantasy football draft

Your fantasy football draft is quickly approaching. Here's some valuable insight as you prep your draft rankings and strategy.

If you still want more fantasy football help, go check out our friends at The Huddle, where you can get a discount on the data and recommendations to help you dominate on the way to a title.  

NFL news and notes

- Daniel Jones answers preseason bell again: Giants coach Pat Shurmur was bullish on his rookie quarterback's performance Thursday night, saying, "I think it’s time to start asking the people that didn’t like him what they think, quite frankly."

- Dwayne Haskins was impressive again, too: Case Keenum might be the leader in the Redskins’ QB competition, but Haskins at least gave coach Jay Gruden more to think about.

- Le'Veon Bell is asking teammates to hit him hard: The new New York Jets running back is doing everything he can to make sure he is ready for his return to football after a year away.

- Why Packers must make QB a priority in next draft: Aaron Rodgers will turn 36 years old this season and his recent back tightness is troubling. It might be time for the Packers to select a quarterback in the first round of the draft.

#NFL100

As the NFL celebrates its 100th season, we are unveiling our all-time 100 players lists for every team. So far, top 100 player lists have been released for teams in the NFC East, NFC North, NFC South, NFC West and AFC South. Stay tuned to @usatodaysports for more all-time top 100 team lists. Coming soon to a Twitter feed near you: AFC East and AFC North.

More all-time NFL awesomeness:

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