The Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers are both opening their 2024 NFL season on the road in Brazil and things are going well and not so well at the same time.
Already facing the challenge of playing a game in a different country, the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles have another hurdle to face besides each other.
The field conditions at Corinthians Arena have already been a significant issue for the Packers and Eagles in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
When the two teams faced off at Corinthians Arena, no issues were expected, but that quickly changed when players hit the field.
On Saquon Barkley’s first carry with the Philadelphia Eagles, he slipped on the turf and fell behind the line of scrimmage.
He was just one of many players who were slipping.
NFL fans took to X, formerly Twitter, to criticize the league for allowing players to play in these conditions.
NFL checking the turf for the Brazil game
— Fatb0lous (@Fatb0lous) September 7, 2024
How teams will practice for the next game on Brazil’s turf pic.twitter.com/NlrVx67oTv
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) September 7, 2024
The turf in Sao Paolo pic.twitter.com/19mUlSehp5
— Mike Herndon (@MikeHerndonNFL) September 7, 2024
The home of Brazil’s Corinthians FC uses “GrassMaster,” a product that is a blend of real grass mixed with elements of turf fibers,
Former Houston Texans Great JJ Watt Explains Why Eagles And Packers Players Are Slipping
Any time the NFL plays international games at soccer stadiums, the field conditions always affect the game.
The NFL’s decision to host the Eagles vs. Packers game at Corinthians Arena in São Paulo, Brazil, has led to issues with players slipping all over the place.
The primary reason for the slippery conditions is the playing surface.
Former Houston Texans great JJ Watt was asked to comment on the slippery conditions during the Eagles and Packers game, and he gave the perfect answer:
“Soccer fields are made for speed and agility. Smaller bodies gliding across the surface with minimal contact.”
“They are not properly conditioned to have the size & strength of NFL players cutting, pushing, and driving all game on them.”
“This is common at international games.”
Soccer fields are made for speed and agility. Smaller bodies gliding across the surface with minimal contact.
They are not properly conditioned to have the size & strength of NFL players cutting, pushing and driving all game on them.
This is common at international games. https://t.co/6NmjrwFty2
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) September 7, 2024
