Oakland Raiders, Vikings game could see severe weather
By Chase Ruttig
Nov 30, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; A Minnesota Vikings guardian of the gate stands at the entrance to the field before the game with the Vikings and the Carolina Panthers at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
A trip to Minnesota used to mean a lack of worries about the elements as the Metrodome prevented any snow, wind, or rain issues when the Oakland Raiders travelled to take on the Vikings. That was before the team moved back outdoors as they await a new stadium that is still under construction as the Vikes are still using the home of the Minnesota Golden Gophers on a temporary basis.
More from Las Vegas Raiders News
- Raiders news: Free agent TE Foster Moreau diagnosed with cancer
- Las Vegas Raiders: 2023 NFL Draft will make-or-break David Ziegler Era
- Raiders news: Jimmy Garoppolo offered a different kind of deal
- Raiders 2023 NFL Draft: Trading down for an elite DT on Day 1
- Raiders 2023 NFL Draft: Will David Ziegler trade his top-2 picks again?
Now that the Vikings are outdoors, the Raiders Preseason Week 2 game tonight could be impacted by the weather as the forecast is calling for rain on Saturday. Strong winds and even hail expected in Minneapolis as a thunderstorm will challenge both teams who are likely less than pleased about the elements hurting their evaluation process as both coaching staffs will have to account for the weather factor tonight.
The storm is expected for the evening in Minneapolis, which is unfortunately when the Raiders and Vikings are scheduled to take the field. The Vikings preparing fans for procedures at the stadium should the storm cause any delays tonight as the Raiders are going to have to deal with ugly weather for the first time in 2015, which could be good preparation for the games that matter or an annoyance depending on how you look at it.
#Raiders second preseason game could be a wet one. Chance of downpours, strong winds and hail in Minneapolis this evening.
— Raiders Beat (@RaidersBeat) August 22, 2015
TCF Bank Stadium braces for severe weather during tonight's Vikings preseason game. | http://t.co/9gV8WJJQhO pic.twitter.com/7ULjyBdKnI
— WCCO - CBS Minnesota (@WCCO) August 22, 2015
On the positive side the Raiders will get to deal with bad weather in a game environment if the storm does impact the game, but the negative is that it will be tougher to evaluate the progress of the team and position battles in a game that will see players challenged by wind and rain tonight. The anticipated quarterback battle of Derek Carr and Teddy Bridgewater in particular could be challenged if the wind is too heavy for the passing game to get going on both sides.
It is a letdown that there will be a weather factor in a game used as a preseason tuneup, but football is played in all weather and the Raiders are going to get comfortable with the elements right away as a summer storm is in the cards for tonight. How it will change the gameplans of the Raiders and the Vikings is unknown, but the emerging story of the night will be the weather report as everyone will be looking at the forecast in anticipation of the opening kickoff as this nasty storm looms large in the countdown to Preseason Week 2.