The Turf at Carolina Stadium to Blame for Offensive Struggle?

[TwoCentPlain]

Interesting article at bloggingtheboys.

"That’s been a recurring theme for this Panthers defense, which has allowed the second fewest yards after the catch so far this season. However, a closer look at their numbers reflect a fascinating split. When the Panthers have played on the road, they’re giving up 5.8 YAC per reception, a fairly high mark. However, in home games this defense is giving up just 3.8 YAC per reception, the lowest such mark if extrapolated for the whole season."

"This could suggest an external factor for the Cowboys’ struggles on Sunday: the turf at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. In fact, there is a history of complaints about the playing surface in this stadium. Last year, several Lions players voiced frustration over the subpar conditions of the field in a game they lost."

"It wasn’t just the Lions players, though. Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson, among others, also publicly criticized the field, likening it to concrete and saying he’s lobbied Panthers owner David Tepper to replace it."

The McCarthy Chronicles: Cowboys offense struggles vs Panthers for one interesting reason

 

[Beaker42]

Food for thought.

 

[Gambit]

Seems our WR slipped an awful lot this game too. It was weird

 

[conner01]

It could be who they played on the road. Just like our road W/L has a lot to do with who we played on the road

 

[Hardline]

All I know is that was the shinyest artificial turf I ever seen.

 

[Captain-Crash]

I blame everybody. It's probably the haters fault.

 

[offlimits]

Seems our WR slipped an awful lot this game too. It was weird

Okay. So you run around a bit and test the grass. Go to the locker room and wear the long cleats.

 

[gimmesix]

Interesting article at bloggingtheboys.

"That’s been a recurring theme for this Panthers defense, which has allowed the second fewest yards after the catch so far this season. However, a closer look at their numbers reflect a fascinating split. When the Panthers have played on the road, they’re giving up 5.8 YAC per reception, a fairly high mark. However, in home games this defense is giving up just 3.8 YAC per reception, the lowest such mark if extrapolated for the whole season."

"This could suggest an external factor for the Cowboys’ struggles on Sunday: the turf at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. In fact, there is a history of complaints about the playing surface in this stadium. Last year, several Lions players voiced frustration over the subpar conditions of the field in a game they lost."

"It wasn’t just the Lions players, though. Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson, among others, also publicly criticized the field, likening it to concrete and saying he’s lobbied Panthers owner David Tepper to replace it."

The McCarthy Chronicles: Cowboys offense struggles vs Panthers for one interesting reason

At home, Carolina has given up 20 points to the Saints, 21 to the Vikings, 13 to the Texans, 27 to the Colts and 33 to us (7 scored by defense). We're not going to roll over every defense, and every game is different. Who expected us to score just 16 against the Cardinals and 43 against the Rams?

 

[JayFord]

well

winning 33-10 was still great even if there were struggles

nice to know we can dominate while there are issues

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

I mean...I didn't think they struggled.

If we are gauging it on stats...the offense wasn't on field for much of the second half. Panthers had the ball for most the 3rd...maybe the starters played a series? But by the 4th it was all backups.

 

[CT Dal Fan]

No, no no.

The Cowboys went with a more conservative gameplan than in recent weeks because of the short week and the fact the Panthers are, well, bad.

Featuring the run and short passes meant long drives; which meant a shorter game, which meant more time to recover with a holiday game on tap. Now if the Cowboys were facing a team that could match them score for score, I'm sure it would have been a different story.

But to me Sunday felt like a "lets just do what we have to do to win and get home" type of game.

 

[RonnieT24]

Okay. So you run around a bit and test the grass. Go to the locker room and wear the long cleats.

You don't wear long cleats on turf. Long cleats are for soggy or muddy fields. If players slip a lot on turf it likely means they need to do something to lessen the slickness of the playing surface. Or maybe they need another layer or two of those ground up car tires to give the surface more grab.

 

[Jake]

Interesting article at bloggingtheboys.

"That’s been a recurring theme for this Panthers defense, which has allowed the second fewest yards after the catch so far this season. However, a closer look at their numbers reflect a fascinating split. When the Panthers have played on the road, they’re giving up 5.8 YAC per reception, a fairly high mark. However, in home games this defense is giving up just 3.8 YAC per reception, the lowest such mark if extrapolated for the whole season."

"This could suggest an external factor for the Cowboys’ struggles on Sunday: the turf at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. In fact, there is a history of complaints about the playing surface in this stadium. Last year, several Lions players voiced frustration over the subpar conditions of the field in a game they lost."

"It wasn’t just the Lions players, though. Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson, among others, also publicly criticized the field, likening it to concrete and saying he’s lobbied Panthers owner David Tepper to replace it."

The McCarthy Chronicles: Cowboys offense struggles vs Panthers for one interesting reason

So their defense plays better at home? That's not unusual, and seems familiar.

The Cowboys have given up 14 touchdowns in their three losses, all on the road. Their home games have all been blowout wins.

I don't think it's the turf.