Cheese Curds, 8/23: Packers & Raiders’ backups suffered through ugly slog

On Thursday night, the NFL treated its fans to a real Shark Sandwich in Manitoba. The Green Bay Packers and Oakland Raiders had agreed to play last night’s preseason game in Winnipeg months ago, which made the issues with the field in the end zones totally inexplicable.

How can a league with practically unlimited resources fail to execute a straightforward task like preparing a field for a game, and do so repeatedly? The Packers’ had a preseason game canceled three years ago in Canton due to bad paint on the field, while some other fields in regular use across the league (here’s looking at you, Soldier Field) are consistently in terrible shape on game days.

Regardless of whether or not the portion of the field that the Packers and Raiders did play on was in bad shape — the league issued a statement assuring everyone that it was fine — the game took a heavy toll on the Packers’ roster. With multiple key contributors ending the game in the locker room or on crutches, it’s a game that fans around the world have a right to be upset about.

However, nobody has more right to be upset than the fans who paid up 100 dollars or more for tickets for last night’s debacle.

Packers change their plans in Winnipeg | Packers.com
Was the field the sole reason that the Packers sat their starters? It doesn't sound like it, because Matt LaFleur referenced the Raiders pulling their starters as well. But in any case, Aaron Rodgers won't end up taking a single snap this preseason.

Packers Insider: Trevor Davis, Tim Boyle rise above field fiasco | Packersnews.com
Although some may see the backup QB battle being over -- Tim Boyle did have a nice day on the stat sheet -- don't be so sure. Boyle had great protection through the entire first half, and he turned things around after an ugly start to the game. After halftime, Kizer was constantly under pressure and had a few great throws erased by penalties or drops.

4 takeaways from Packers’ preseason loss to Raiders | Packers Wire
The biggest issue coming out of the game is the injuries, as the team lost several key contributors to injuries of varying severities. It appears that Rashan Gary's is the least severe, but Equanimeous St. Brown and Curtis Bolton appear to be injured reserve candidates.

NFL preseason Week 3 takeaways - O Canada, land of the shortened field | ESPN
What else happened on Thursday? Well, Josh McCown had a magnificent night as the Eagles' new backup QB, while old friend Giorgio Tavecchio is struggling in Atlanta.

Cam Newton injury news: Panthers QB in walking boot after leaving game | SI.com
Oh, and if you had any questions about why teams hold their starting QBs out of preseason games, this should answer them.

2019 NFL preseason: Training camp surprises for all 32 teams - NFL.com
Here's a look at what surprises are going on around the league, with the emergence of Tony Brown being the pick for the Packers.

Watch bison stampede as one slams into tourists' rental car in Yellowstone National Park | NBC News
Note to self: pay for insurance if you're traveling in places where massive bovine creatures are present.