Raiders-Packers preseason game in Winnipeg played on short field, no kickoffs
The Oakland Raiders and Green Bay Packers agreed to play under some modified conditions for Thursday’s preseason game at IG Field in Winnipeg.
Both teams had concerns over the condition of the playing field. The Raiders decided ahead of time to sit some of their key players, while the Packers decided not to play 33 players for the game.
The big modifications for the game included playing on a shortened field and without kickoffs.
The reason for the shortened field was so the players could avoid the end zones. IG Field is the home of the CFL’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers. CFL fields feature goal posts in the end zone rather than at the back of them for the NFL, which led to big patches/holes in the end zone both sides felt uncomfortable with.
The meeting over this patch of turf in the south end zone is expanding. #Packers #Raiders pic.twitter.com/qCP88yFwoC
— Jim Owczarski (@JimOwczarski) August 22, 2019
NFL teams often regard the third preseason game to be a “dress rehearsal” for the season opener and then sit their starters in the fourth preseason game. These teams may end up playing their starters next week just to give them some action.
