El pronostico para Charlotte este domingo cambia dia a dia. Ahi se enfrentaran los invictos Minnesota Vikings y los campeones defensores de la NFC Norte en un crucial encuentro. De acuedo a NFLWeather.com, se esperan cielos despejados pero eso puede cambiar ya que Charlotte tendra lluvias toda la semana y quizas alguna llovizna se mantenga durante el fin de semana mientras la tormenta Karl se acerca a la costa sudeste de los Estados Unidos.
Sam Bradford. Photo courtesy of USA Today.La superficie de pasto del Bank of America Stadium seguramente estara cubierta para no ser afectada por las tormentas de entre semana, pero aun asi es probable que veamos condiciones de campo similares a las ques e vieron en Pittsburgh esta semana pasada. Por su parte no se espera que el viento sea factor y las temperaturas estaran cerca de los 80f.
Cuando se trata de juegos en la lluvia, Cam Newton juega muy bien habiendo anotado en cada uno de los seis juegos en esas condiciones durante su carrera y teniendo un impresionante record de 5-1 en los mismos. Pero el ganador del trofeo Heisman ha tambien entregado el balon varias veces, con un promedio de al menos una intercepcion o fumble en cada juego impactado por el clima en los que ha participado. El, junto con sus corredores (Fozzy Whittaker, Mike Tolbert y Cameron Artis-Payne), debera concentrarse en mantener ese balon bajo control, teniendo en cuenta que Jonathan Stewart no jugara por lesion.
Carolina (1-1) es un muy complicado rival bajo malas condiciones climaticas, especialmente de local en donde tienen un record de 5-0 en las ultimas 5 temporadas. A la defensiva, es dificil encontrar un mejor equipo en partidos impactados por el clima. Carolina permitio 20 o mas puntos solo una vez desde el 2011 a la fecha, de acuerdo a NFLWeather.com. A pesar de la partida de Josh Norman, la defensa de los Panthers es la septima mejor en la NFL, permitiendo apenas mas de 300 yardas totales por partido.
Los Vikings (2-0) tambien presentan una buena defensa, permitiendo apenas 290 yardas por juego, siendo ahora la quinta mejor defensa de la liga. Pero en este momento todos miran a su unidad ofensiva por la perdida Adrian Peterson por lesion. Jerick Mckinnon es quien se espera reemplace a AP con Matt Asiato asistiendolo. Se espera que estos dos corredores puedan quitarle algo de presion a su quarterback quien estara jugando su segundo partido con el equipo.
Sam Bradford, quien billo en su debut la semana pasada ante Green Bay, Tiene muy poca experiencia en la lluvia. Su ultimo encuentro fue en 2012 en donde Bradford termino con 22-de-30 pases para 205 yardas con un touchdown y una intercepcion en la derrota ante New England. Se espera que el Tight End Kyle Rudolph sea la valvula de escape de Bradford principalmente el la zone roja, pero si los receptores de Minnesota fallan en crear espacios en la secundaria rival, los Vikings continuaran con problemas en partidos con clima adverso en los cuales actualmente estan 4-8 desde 2011. Seguiran los fans de los Vikings pensando en Bud Grant, Fran Tarkenton, Ahmad Rashad, the Purple People Eaters y el viejo domo?
The weather is day by day in Charlotte for Sunday when the undefeated Minnesota Vikings when the defending NFC North champions battle both the southern storms and the reigning NFC titleholders, Carolina Panthers, in a crucial conference showdown. According to NFLWeather.com, clear skies are currently in the forecast for Sunday’s game but that could easily change as Charlotte is expected to get pummeled with rain all week and who’s to say that the drizzle won’t linger around for another day with Tropical Storm Karl heading towards the southeastern coast.
Sam Bradford. Photo courtesy of USA Today.It doesn’t help either side that the Panthers are now notorious for having a less than favorable field following last season’s playoff run where both the visiting Seahawks and Cardinals had to change cleats midgame for better traction. The grass surface inside Bank of America Stadium will likely be covered by a tarp during the midweek rainfall but once it’s removed for the game, we could see a surface similar to that of Pittsburgh’s battered field from a week ago. Wind won’t be much of an issue though and temperatures should be in the low-80’s.
When it comes to rain games, Cam Newton is the real deal, having scored at least once in each of his six career outings while posting an impressive 5-1 record. But the former Heisman Trophy winner is prone to turning the ball over, also averaging at least one fumble or pick per weather-impacted game. He, alongside his running back committee of Fozzy Whittaker, Mike Tolbert and Cameron Artis-Payne, will need to keep a solid grip on a slippery pigskin as they fill in for injured veteran Jonathan Stewart who may miss time with a hamstring injury.
Carolina (1-1) is an extremely tough team to beat in crummy conditions, especially at home where they’re 5-0 over the last five seasons. Defensively, it’s hard to find a better team in weather impacted matchups than the Panthers who have surrendered 20 or more points only once since 2011, according to the NFLWeather.com Historical Analytics. Despite the departure of Josh Norman, the Panthers D is seventh-best in the NFL, allowing just over 300 total yards per game and will need a lights out performance to avoid a 1-2 start.
The Vikings (2-0) have a pretty stout defensive unit as well, holding the opposition to less than 290 ypg is currently fifth-best in the league. But, all eyes are on an offense that will be without their most coveted weapon, Adrian Peterson. Jerick Mckinnon is expected to get the bulk of the carries in AP’s absence with Matt Asiato sprinkled in as well. Both backs will not only have the opportunity to capitalize on a rare opportunity to start and carry the workload, but they’ll also need to take the pressure off a quarterback making only his second start for his new team while having to endure the elements.
Sam Bradford, who shined in his domed debut last weekend against Green Bay, has minimal professional experience in rain games. His last was back in 2012 where Bradford went 22-of-30 for 205 yards with both a touchdown and a pick in a crushing loss to New England. Expect tight end Kyle Rudolph to be Bradford’s security blanket in the red zone and go-to option but if Minnesota’s talented young wide-outs Stefon Diggs and Laquon Treadwell fail to create some havoc in the secondary, the Vikings will continue to struggle in poor weather games where they currently post a 4-8 rain record since 2011. Vikings fans will continue to reminisce about Bud Grant, Fran Tarkenton, Ahmad Rashad, the Purple People Eaters and the good ole’ days before the dome.
