Dolphins vs. Cowboys, 2013 Hall of Fame Game: Dallas wins depth chart exhibition

At what point during Sunday’s Hall of Fame Game did you become bored? I made it through the first half without groaning. The play was decent enough, for a first taste of football, to start the game. By the second quarter, I was able to coast on fumes of excitement from earlier in the day.

We’ll have regular football in about a month.

• Pro Football Hall of Fame welcomes Class of 2013

• Dolphins, Cowboys set for Hall of Fame game

It’s only natural to be excited about Sunday’s game. The last time we had football was February. Don’t worry, by the second quarter, you’ll be complaining that the regular season can’t get here soon enough. But it’s an important precursor to the year ahead for a pair of teams carrying big expectations. So what should we be watching for?

A new season means a fresh coat of Botox for Jerry Jones. For Dolphins owner Stephen Ross, this will be the first time he’s seen his team play since training camp began. No, really.

Here’s all you need to know about how to watch the game:

Sunday, Aug. 4, 8 p.m. ET

While the line shifted in Miami’s favor, the total also changed after Romo was ruled out. The over/under opened at 34, but the total has dropped to 32-1/2.

Miami is the favorite, but if its preseason goes anything like it did a year ago, Dallas may be the better bet. Miami went 0-4 in the preseason last season as well as 0-4 against the spread. The Dolphins could have more success this preseason, however, as they will no longer be breaking in a new coaching staff and rookie quarterback.

It’s football! NFL Football! We did it, everybody!

The first game of the NFL preseason is the Hall of Fame Game, held at Fawcett Stadium in Canton, Ohio, a 22,000-seater located right next to pro football’s shrine. No, it’s not the best football ever, since both teams are likely going to rest their starters for the majority of the game in hopes of avoiding injuries. To them, the Hall of Fame Game is an unnecessary fifth preseason game while every other team in the league plays just four.

The Dolphins spent big on Wallace, giving the former Steeler a five-year, $60 million deal with $30 million guaranteed in the offseason, but he missed a handful of training camp practices with the injury. He’s expected to be back at practice sometime next week, but the team is being cautious with their expensive investment. The Dolphins have five preseason games this year, so there is plenty of time for Wallace to get into game shape before the regular season starts.

• David Roth: What even Riley Cooper knows

Even those starters who do play will only make a short cameo appearance, with two drives at the most.

The offensive line in front of Romo hasn’t exactly resembled a brick wall thus far in training camp, making the decision to sit Romo very easy for head coach Jason Garrett. Without Romo, it would be a rough uphill climb for the Cowboys in the very competitive NFC East.

• David Roth: What even Riley Cooper knows

• Chasing Devin Hester

Two teams desperate to get back to the postseason will open the preseason Sunday when the Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins square off in the NFL’s annual Hall of Fame Game.

The Cowboys have missed the playoffs three straight seasons and the Dolphins haven’t reached the postseason since 2008, but both teams have plenty of reasons to believe they’ll end their playoff drought this season.