How much of a factor will the beat up grass field in Chicago be

I have been reading about the poor condition of the the Soldier Field grass field for the game on Sunday. The comments remind me of the days when the Colts complained about our field during playoff games in 2003 - 2004.

I am wondering how much of an impact the field is going to have on the game. I am still of the belief the Pats should have stuck with a natrual grass field even though growing grass iat Gillette is tough given all the events and the poor winter climate. Playing on such a surface gave them a huge advantage on field turf teams. Although I think the Pats will win, I am concerned the Pats are going to have a hard time with footing.

I'm worried for injuries more than anything. Belichick and Welker both conceded that Houston's field had a large part in Welker's injury at the end of last season. Hope nothing happens like that on Sunday for either team.

I remember reading that they have laid new sod and this is what the game will be played on.

They resodded the field a little over a week ago.

You can't lay down sod in the winter in Chicago?

Actually you can. Bears have a heated field that helps the new sod take root.

But grass doesn't grow in the winter?

Correct, but that only applies when the field gets dug up. You can replace the divots but the grass will eventually just turn brown and die. Shouldn't be an issue for the first game played on a newly resodded field.

Isn't Soldier Field beat up every year?

Indeed it is...which is why they resod 2-3 times a season. It costs a good amount of money to do this so a) they should know what they are doing and b) it should have a positive effect...at least for a while.

What was the field like last time they did this?

Glad you asked. They did the same thing before the Rams game last year. The field looked pretty good. Normal debris for any grass field but no seams or obvious treacherous spots. Given the temperature on Sunday, the field is likely to feel like astroturf anyway.

I know the Pats used to resod a couple of times a year when they had a grass field. My main concern is teams the play on field turf have a hard time playing on grass late in the season since they are used to playing on a perfect surface.