If there's one game that's worth watching in the preseason, it's usually the third one. That's the one in which each team's starters are expected to play into the third quarter, giving fans the closest taste to regular season action they'll get until Week 1.

It's commonly referred to as the "dress rehearsal" of the preseason. Bill Belichick does not see it that way.

The New England Patriots' Friday night preseason game against the Carolina Panthers will be a step closer to regular season action, sure. And yes, it will likely feature the most playing time by starters. By virtue of that, it will probably be the most entertaining game of the preseason.

Belichick, meanwhile, says that there's no additional emphasis placed on this game, even if starters do usually play longer. The Patriots, as Belichick was quick to point out, did prepare for an opponent last week. They'll prepare for practice today. Belichick presents them all as on equal footing when it comes to getting ready for Week 1 and beyond.

The third preseason game is interesting, but it still doesn't count. For Belichick, it's just another step in analysis and improvement for the team this preseason. The third preseason game, as Belichick put it, is not all there is to evaluating a preseason.

"Each week of the preseason is a step closer to getting ready for the regular season opener and the 16-game regular season schedule. With each succeeding week, there are more things that are closer to a regular season week."

With that said, the third week of the preseason should give fans a reason to get excited. Tom Brady should play more snaps Friday than any other game this preseason. As such, we'll get a chance to see a glimpse of what the offense will look like when it's going. It won't be firing on all cylinders, but hopefully Josh McDaniels will put drop his foot on the gas a little.

On defense, the Patriots are going up against (assumedly) three quarters or so of Cam Newton, who it's one of the league's most dangerous mobile quarterbacks. Experience against him should be pretty useful in preparation for DeShaun Watson and the Houston Texans in Week 1 of the regular season.

It'll be a more entertaining watch, sure. But Belichick maintains that he's viewing it as one more step in the progression of training camp. Because in the end, that's all we have going on here.

"That's what training camp is," Belichick said. "It's just a series of opportunities to improve your team to get ready for the regular season opener, to get ready for the regular season schedule."

The Patriots kickoff against the Panthers Friday, Aug. 24 at 7:30 p.m. The regular season opener is Sept. 9 a 1 p.m. at Gillette Stadium.