NFL

How does weather, turf or stadium affect play style? How should I read game previews, and bet, with those in mind?

The players and coaches are clearly important to determining style and results, but there are other factors too.

Gregory Fisher

Sports-lover turned journalist, born and bred in Scotland, with a passion for football (soccer). He’s also a keen follower of NFL, NBA, golf and tennis, among others, and always has an eye on the latest in science, tech and current affairs. As Managing Editor at AS USA, uses background in operations and marketing to drive improvements for reader satisfaction.

Update: Dec 11th, 2025 08:23 EST

If you’re new to the NFL, you have likely noticed that game previews from sports outlets casually mention things like ‘wind gusts,’ ‘fast track,’ or ‘the dome advantage.’ That may pass many people by but for longtime fans, these clues can instantly change the way they expect a game to play out.

If you’re looking to have greater insights into these factors – possibly for betting reasons or just to have an edge in the pre-game bar chat – keep reading.

What factors can affect play and results in the NFL?

So, as well as the obvious attributes of a team – star players, roster depth and the talent of the coaches – the weather and field conditions also influence games. Once you learn what they mean, you’ll start predicting how a game might unfold before the first snap.

Let me break it down in as simple terms as possible.

Weather: the most underrated player on the field

Wind (the real game-wrecker)

If a preview highlights wind, pay attention. It’s the biggest disruptor of football rhythm.

Deep balls lose accuracy
Field goals get dicey
Offenses prefer the running game
Screens, slants, and short throws become the menu

Rain (the great equalizer)

Rain doesn’t ruin passing as much as you’d think – but it does ruin ball security.

More fumbles
Slippery cuts
Running backs get more work
Defenders react slower than receivers

Snow (chaos, but the fun kind)

Snowy games – check out these clips – are surprisingly explosive.

Defenders slip first
Receivers know where they’re going
Big plays can happen off one misstep
Kicking becomes unreliable

How does weather, turf or stadium affect play style? How should I read game previews, and bet, with those in mind? — Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Maurice Hurst II makes snow angels at Huntington Bank Field Stadium.Scott Galvin

Surface: turf vs grass

Artificial Turf (fast, hard, unforgiving)

Turf makes games feel lighter and quicker.

Speedsters thrive
Passing timing improves
Deep shots open up
But fatigue and soft-tissue injuries increase

Natural grass (slower, softer, strategic)

Grass plays heavier.
Cuts take longer
Pass rush slows
Offenses grind more
Precision routes lose some juice

Stadium type: indoors changes everything

Indoor/dome stadiums

Welcome to perfect conditions.

No wind
No rain
Longer field goals
High-scoring games
Louder home-crowd advantage

Outdoor Stadiums

Anything can happen.

Wind and cold affect ball flight
Passing efficiency drops
Running matters more
Defensive lines gain edge in sloppy conditions
Quarterback won’t hear the jeers as much

So, in summary...

If it’s windy: expect short passes and more runs.
If it’s raining: bet on ball carriers with good hands.
If it’s snowing: chaos boosts scoring, not just slipping.
If it’s turf: speed wins.
If it’s grass: defense tightens games.
If it’s indoors: fireworks (and long field goals) are on the table.

Now you know!