Any downsides to simming preseason games?

[Xtra]

I plan to do the practice, player progression, and cuts/signings/trades myself. But I thought it would be a good idea to have the CPU sim the games.

Any downsides to this?

[xCoachDx]

Assuming it’s the same as the past, I’ve never had a problem with it other than the occasional major injury. The sim does a pretty good job of it. Generally plays the starters a bit and then subs everyone out. I like to go check the stats at the end of the preseason and use them to decide position battles. I don’t think you gain anything from actually playing them.

[adembroski]

Well, if you play them you can be a bit more strategic about getting guys playing time to get them a skill point before the season starts, make sure you play backups you want to see progress for a majority of the time, stuff like that. I generally play the moments, making sure to plan my substitution pattern to develop young guys who wont see as much playing time in the regular season.

It's basically 4 free XP opportunities.

That said, you can do a great deal of that just with depth charts. Make sure the QB you want to get XP is in the #2 slot, things like that, but be careful about overplaying your hand with starters and losing someone. I keep my injury slider fairly high just to keep myself honest.