Packers sit 33 vs. Raiders as poor field conditions in Canada force game to be played on 80-yard field
The Green Bay Packers sat 33 players for Thursday’s game against the Oakland Raiders that played on an 80-yard field due to concerns over field conditions in Canada.
33 #Packers will not be suiting up for tonight's game.#GBvsOAK https://t.co/GuggFKeS3p
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) August 22, 2019
No kickoffs, short field
The game was played without kickoffs and the 10-yard lines acted as end zones because of the turf issue.
Packers president Mark Murphy said earlier Thursday that the game would go on despite the concerns, Green Bay’s WBAY reports.
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The game was played at IG Field in Winnipeg, Canada, home of the CFL’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Moving the goalpost caused problem
Concerns arose Thursday afternoon, drawing attention of coaches and managers from both teams. The standard CFL goal posts had to be moved to accommodate the different dimensions of an NFL field, leaving a loose patch of turf in an end zone.
NFL, #Packers and game officials check out the “hole” in the end zone before #Raiders game. pic.twitter.com/N8JBhBAYx2
— Paul Gutierrez (@PGutierrezESPN) August 22, 2019
The patch of turf that caused concern can be seen in the back of the left end zone in this tweet.
Crowd during the national anthem(s) #Raiders pic.twitter.com/lrLoNsX34h
— Matt Kawahara (@matthewkawahara) August 23, 2019
NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported earlier that the Packers were considering sitting their starters due to the field-condition concerns. The Raiders had not planned to play their starters for the Week 3 preseason game.
Outside of the bizarre playing conditions, the turf didn’t appear to have an impact on the game. Raiders head coach Jon Gruden told reporters it wasn’t an issue after Oakland’s 22-21 victory.
“I’m not going to make a big deal about the field,” Gruden said. “We thought the field was perfectly ready to roll.”
Another international turf problem
The issue recalls last year’s regular season game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Rams that was scheduled for Mexico City but eventually moved to Los Angeles due to poor field conditions.
In 2016, the NFL canceled the preseason Hall of Fame game between the Green Bay Packers and Indianapolis Colts because of concerns over paint on the field presenting a slipping hazard.
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