Thread: Expect less than ideal field conditions Sunday

The middle of Heinz Field was re-sodded after the Browns game, it's been raining, and the Pitt Panthers play there Saturday.
How do you think this could affect the Vikings, who haven't played outside since opening day in perfect conditions?

Hopefully the equipment manager brings a full array of cleat lengths.
The Steeler players even swap them out at times during a game because of changes in the footing.

"ChicagoSteel" wrote:

The middle of Heinz Field was re-sodded after the Browns game, it's been raining, and the Pitt Panthers play there Saturday.

How do you think this could affect the Vikings, who haven't played outside since opening day in perfect conditions?

Hopefully the equipment manager brings a full array of cleat lengths.
The Steeler players even swap them out at times during a game because of changes in the footing.

My honest opinion is that that probably helps the Vikings as they have a decent rushing attack if passing becomes too difficult in the muck.
The Steelers are fairly unbalanced in that respect, although Mendenhall's emergence has made them better in that respect lately.

=Z=

I actually am not too worried about this game. If we win, we look bad ass. Winning against the defending Super Bowl champs in Pitt would be impressive. I just want to see them play well. No slop or mistakes. If we lose it is no big deal in my book. I would rather be healthy and ready for the Pack. To answer your question, I believe we have a better rushing attack so that plays in our favor. If it is resodded then your players will have to adjust to it. This also plays in our favor. Hopefully Ben will throw some of those picks our way in the rain.

"ChicagoSteel" wrote:

The middle of Heinz Field was re-sodded after the Browns game, it's been raining, and the Pitt Panthers play there Saturday.

How do you think this could affect the Vikings, who haven't played outside since opening day in perfect conditions?

Hopefully the equipment manager brings a full array of cleat lengths.
The Steeler players even swap them out at times during a game because of changes in the footing.

Should only make the game more interesting.
I can't wait for Sunday.
My opinion would be that this will likely only help the Steelers.
I don't' see it playing a huge impact on the game either way though.

Poor field conditions can neuter the pass rush, though.
I guess it works that way for both teams, but the stand up OLBs in a 3-4 would seem to have the advantage over a DE coming out of his stance from having a hand on the ground.

IF we win this game, I think it is reasonable to claim GB, Det, Sea games as prospective wins, leading up to a match-up with the Bears, where, in all reality, a win will secure the NFCN for us.

That's IF we win this game and Chicago goes 3-3 or even 4-2.

Last time I checked Vikings don't care about the weather, they punish, pillage and pound into dust in any conditions on any battlefield.
>

"Braddock" wrote:

IF we win this game, I think it is reasonable to claim GB, Det, Sea games as prospective wins, leading up to a match-up with the Bears, where, in all reality, a win will secure the NFCN for us.

That's IF we win this game and Chicago goes 3-3 or even 4-2.

Hell, I'm not even thinking about the division yet.
We've got to beat the Steelers.
Rest assured, we WILL lose this year, and this is shaping up to be the perfect storm of a game to go against us.
A win here would help the team's confidence tremendously, though.

Shitty field conditions will make it that much harder for our secondary.
Might be a good game to go +3 in the TO battle.

So do you guys miss (or even remember) games outside in Minnesota?
I grew up watching that in the 70s - great, great football.
I remember the first time I saw a game on TV played in the Metrodome I remember thinking "that is not Viking football".

Still get chills when I see NFL Films footage of Eller and Page getting down in a 3-pt stance in muddy uniforms, foggy breath coming through the face masks.