Rain - Who has the advantage? Offense or Defense

[electricrelish]

If there is a 100% chance of rain like say in Cincinatti today, who has the advantage? Offense or defense? I say the offense, especially in the running game. Thoughts?

[King Tut]

Offense, they know where they are going, the Defense has to react to them.

[ajh2]

Actually, it depends on how heavy the rain is.

 

If it is very light to light - no affect.

 

If it is moderate - offense gains the advantage.

 

If it is heavy - defense gains the advantage.

 

With a heavy rain it becomes almost it possible to throw the ball well which means it becomes a ground game. The game becomes one dimenional and therefore, favors the defense.

[historymike]

Umbrella vendors are the biggest winners.

[historymike]

But: back to the original question.

 

I like ajh2's generalizations, though I would add that wind conditions are as much (and sometimes more) of an influence on the game as rainfall. Rain plus heavy winds almost always means a run-and-short-pass game, while a steady rain with low winds is not guaranteed to become a run-fest.

[mitpdub]

I would say it depends on the type of RB's and WRs involved. One cut guys that run up the middle I would favor. Speed guys that take it outside could have their speed advantage negated by a sloppy field.

 

The equipment guy who makes the right choice of cleat to start, or adjust as the condtions get worse, is also key.