The NFL has its horror house where the worst injuries accumulate. It’s MetLife Stadium, home of the New York Jets and Giants, that gets the sad award.
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If an injury happens at the end of the season, it is an unfortunate isolated incident. Even if this type of serious injury occurs a few times, it can still be accidental.
However, MetLife Stadium is on a whole different level and has become the players’ cursed stadium. Since 2020, no fewer than 17 tears of the anterior cruciate ligament or Achilles tendon have been observed on this plastic surface.
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The latest on the list is Dolphins defensive end Jaelan Phillips, whose season ended last Sunday.
It is becoming increasingly common knowledge that NFL players prefer natural grass to any type of synthetic surface. None of these areas seem to be as unlucky as the home of the Giants and Jets.
Since two teams play there, it may of course be normal that the number of injuries is higher, but the fact that 17 players have seen their seasons end on this surface in three and a half years is still alarming.
Dolphins defensive end Jaelan Phillips is the latest to suffer an injury on the artificial surface at MetLife Stadium. Getty Images via AFP
applied some changes
The worst part is that no one can blame the Jets or Giants for sitting idle. The problems began in 2020 with the installation of a new plastic surface.
In the third game of the season, the 49ers found their visit painful when two defensive linemen, Nick Bosa and Solomon Thomas, both suffered torn ACLs. After the game, her teammate Arik Armstead said that surface was “depleted” and pleaded with the NFL to intervene.
Before the start of the current campaign, the surface was changed again to a supposedly less hard surface. However, right at the start of the season, Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon, and he worked with his teammates again in practice this week to attempt a miracle comeback.
Different perceptions
The players’ association has repeatedly expressed its dissatisfaction with synthetic surfaces, such as those seen at Giants and Jets stadiums. AFP
Currently, 13 stadiums in the NFL use synthetic surfaces. The players’ association is increasingly complaining about this and recently published a study saying that in 2022, injuries were 0.013 times more likely to occur per 100 games on artificial turf than on natural turf.
Seven of the ten NFL stadiums with the most injuries between 2017 and 2022 use synthetic surfaces. This situation doesn’t just affect professionals, as the University of Washington also pointed out in a study that the risk of injury for university athletes on artificial turf is 58% higher.
The NFL, for its part, is turning its head and saying that the data it has shows no significant difference in injury risk.
Many teams, particularly those playing in indoor stadiums or northern markets where the climate is harsher, prefer artificial surfaces to avoid more expensive maintenance costs.
It’s still a paradoxical approach, considering how much star players leaving their health on the field can bring to the team’s coffers.
Several star players, including Aaron Rodgers himself, have repeatedly publicly expressed their preference for natural grass pitches.
Obviously, injuries are inevitable regardless of the playing surface. Nothing will ever be perfect, even the best treated natural grass. The NFL should still stop burying its head in the sand and listen to those who are putting on a show. They are the ones who make this an all-powerful league.
WEEK 13
THURSDAY
MY CHOICE
- Seattle to Dallas COWBOYS
SUNDAY
MY DECISIONS
- LA Chargers at New England (1 p.m.) CHARGER
- Detroit to New Orleans (1 p.m.) SAINTS
- Atlanta at NY Jets (1 p.m.) FALCON
- Arizona at Pittsburgh (1 p.m.) STAHLER
- Indianapolis, Tennessee (1 p.m.) COLTS
- Miami to Washington (1 p.m.) DOLPHINS
- Denver to Houston (1 p.m.) BRONCOS
- Caroline in Tampa Bay (4:05 p.m.) PRIVATE
- Cleveland at LA Rams (4:25 p.m.) RAMS
- San Francisco to Philadelphia (4:25 p.m.) 49ERS
- Kansas City at Green Bay (8:20 p.m.) Chiefs
MONDAY
MY CHOICE
- Cincinnati at Jacksonville (8:15 p.m.) JAGUARS
*Teams furloughed: Bills, Ravens, Raiders, Giants, Bears, Vikings
LAST WEEK’S RESULTS: 14 out of 16 (87.5%)
OVERALL THIS SEASON: 118 out of 180 (65.6%)
THE CHOICES OF NEWSPAPER
Los Angeles Chargers (4-7) v. New England Patriots (2-9)
THE LOST PATRIOTS
Bailey Zappe will try to salvage what’s left of the Patriots’ season. Getty Images via AFP
The Patriots no longer have Mac Jones to turn to. Currently, no reliable repair shop can put the parts back together. In Bailey Zappe, they have the next prototype quarterback who risks joining Jones on the scrap heap. And no matter who uses it, there is no one you can credibly throw the ball to. The Chargers also have their problems, but they can score. Defensively, they rank 14th against the run, which is average but enough to hold off the Patriots’ rushers.
Detroit Lions (8-3) v. New Orleans Saints (5-6)
GENTLER LIONS
Aidan Hutchinson (97) and the Lions defense have to get their act together. Getty Images via AFP
The Lions have only lost one of their last four games, but cracks in their foundation are showing. They have recorded eleven turnovers in the last five duels, after only six turnovers in the first six games. Worse still, they are unrecognizable defensively. They allowed 21.4 points in the first six games and conceded 29 in the last five games. It’s never easy playing at Saints Stadium and only eight teams give up fewer points than them.
Atlanta Falcons (5-6) v. New York Jets (4-7)
A deadly attack
Tim Boyle can’t easily revitalize the Jets’ offense. Getty Images via AFP
Ever since they told you the Jets were stuck with Zach Wilson because they had nothing better… Tim Boyle proved that was true with two interceptions in his first start to lead an offensive player who had his second-lowest total of yards this season. The problem is that they never looked for a serious alternative earlier. Defensively, the Jets can hold their own against the Falcons, but are giving up 140.3 rushing yards per game. Only one team performs worse. The Falcons won’t even pass the ball 15 times.
Arizona Cardinals (2-10) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-4)
Regenerate life
Tight end Pat Freiermuth was the centerpiece of the Steelers’ offensive revival last Sunday. Getty Images via AFP
The Kyler Murray effect appears to have already worn off by the time the quarterback returned to the Cardinals. You have to say that it’s not his fault when the defense allows 228 yards on the ground in a game like last Sunday! Are the Steelers experiencing new life on offense? For the first time this season, they gained more yards than they allowed. Former offensive coordinator Matt Canada must be turning in his grave. Well, he’s still not dead, but that’s just how it is…
Indianapolis Colts (6-5) v. Tennessee Titans (4-7)
TRAP MATCH
Zack Moss hurt the Titans early in the season. Getty Images via AFP
The Colts are on the right track with three wins in a row, but they can escape a match like this. The Titans are undefeated in four home games this season. They average 24.7 points at home and just 11 on the road. The Colts will be without carrier Jonathan Taylor, but that’s not a tragedy. In October, another Colts running back, Zach Moss, surprised the Titans with 165 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
Miami Dolphins (8-3) v. Washington Commanders (4-8)
NOTHING IS WRONG ANYMORE
Cornerback Benjamin St-Juste (25) will have a lot of work to do against the Dolphins. Getty Images via AFP
The Commanders are in disarray with three straight defeats in which they conceded an average of 35 points. That disastrous streak led to the firing of defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio, but it’s hard to believe the bleeding will suddenly stop given the Dolphins’ prolific offense. However, Tua Tagovailoa has suffered more than one turnover in each of his last two games. Benjamin St-Juste will have quite a task ahead of him against the Dolphins receivers!
Denver Broncos (6-5) v. Houston Texans (6-5)
AND SIX?
The Broncos’ defensive unit is dominating these days. Getty Images via AFP
The Broncos are looking for their sixth straight win. When you think about how much they have changed, it’s disturbing. Their defense, which was peppered with 70 points in Week 3, has only given up 80 in the last 5 games. She also caused 15 turnovers in the last four games. The Texans are serious despite last week’s loss, but CJ Stroud needs to protect the ball better like he did earlier in the season. He has four interceptions and two fumbles in three weeks.
Carolina Panthers (1-10) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-7)
A WHOLE SLOPE!
Bryce Young and the Panthers have a lot to worry about. Getty Images via AFP
Stay positive Panthers fans, even at 1-10 your team is still alive. If the Panthers win their last six games AND the Falcons lose at least four of their last six AND the Saints also lose at least four AND the Bucs lose three, the South Division is theirs! Well, that scenario has as much chance of becoming a reality as returning to a balanced budget in Canada, but the dream has never killed anyone. Will the Panthers feel freed from Frank Reich? Do we ever know…
Cleveland Browns (7-4) v. Los Angeles Rams (5-6)
Worrying injuries
Myles Garrett suffered a shoulder injury in the Browns’ last game. Getty Images via AFP
In their last game, the Browns not only had to contend with a stagnant offense, but quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson suffered a concussion, receiver Amari Cooper left the team after suffering a rib injury, and the team’s best player, Myles Garrett, injured the Shoulder. The 13-sack man should try to play, but will he be at his best? The Rams are doing well on offense with Kyren Williams, Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. It’s hard to trust the Browns with Joe Flacco.
San Francisco 49ers (8-3) v. Philadelphia Eagles (10-1)
BIG MATCH REVENGE
Time for a reunion between Nick Bosa and Fletcher Cox of the 49ers and Eagles. Getty Images via AFP
If there’s one game you shouldn’t miss, it’s this one. This rematch of the last national conference final pits two scorching clubs against each other. The Eagles are often heroic in the fourth quarter despite slow starts. Jalen Hurts has thrown 10 touchdown passes and no interceptions in the final 15 minutes of games, but it will take a complete game to beat the 49ers. The Chase Young effect is noticeable, with 15 sacks for the Niners in their last three meetings, compared to 18 in their first eight. It will still be quite exciting!
Kansas City Chiefs (8-3) v. Green Bay Packers (5-6)
HOPE FOR THE PACKERS
Jordan Love is having a good time with the Packers. Getty Images via AFP
After a difficult start to the season, quarterback Jordan Love lets Packers fans breathe a sigh of relief. In November, he was 3-1 with eight touchdown passes and two interceptions. We’ll continue to bet on the Chiefs because their defense continues to hold up and because the offense appears to have found some firepower with rookie receiver Rashee Rice. He became the first Chiefs rookie receiver since Dwayne Bowe in 2007 to gain more than 100 yards in a game. That’s already taken.
Cincinnati Bengals (5-6) v. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-3)
LONG END TO THE SEASON
Jake Browning faces the difficult task of restarting the Bengals. Getty Images via AFP
The end of the Bengals’ season promises to be a long and excruciating pain. The team knows they can win, but they come to war with a bladed weapon. Jake Browning completed just one pass more than 10 yards from the line of scrimmage in his first start. If only the ground game would help, but at 3.8 yards per carry this season we’re not getting far. For the Jaguars, this is their first Monday night game in Jacksonville in 12 years. Trevor Lawrence has scored six touchdowns (passing and running) in his last two appearances.