Fansided

10 toughest NFL stadiums to play in for road teams

By Kelly Thompson

Arrowhead Stadium (Photo by William Purnell/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Arrowhead Stadium (Photo by William Purnell/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 10
Next
NEW ORLEANS, LA – APRIL 09: The Mercedes-Benz Superdome is lit up blue on April 09, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Landmarks and buildings across the nation are displaying blue lights to show support for health care workers and first responders on the front lines of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – APRIL 09: The Mercedes-Benz Superdome is lit up blue on April 09, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Landmarks and buildings across the nation are displaying blue lights to show support for health care workers and first responders on the front lines of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /

7. Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans Saints

Tiebreaker notes that “The Saints’ iconic stadium looks like a gigantic UFO mothership touched down in the heart of New Orleans, making it synonymous with the city.” But, the home of the Saints is so much more than just an interesting piece of architecture. The stadium became a safe space for refuge during the devastating Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and has since become a symbol of hope, strength and rebounding which echos through the city.

But along with that symbol comes nearly unparalleled passion. When Katrina hit, Saints football became a rallying point for the city, and something for so many people who lost everything to invest their energy, time and emotion in — to forget the stresses and sorrows of their lives, if only for three hours at a time.

And that energy has never subsided. Led by future Hall of Famers head coach Sean Payton and quarterback Drew Brees all these years — the fans are cemented in place behind their team, and “WhoDat Nation” makes life difficult for all opposing teams.

Since the start of 2008, the Saints have won over 70 percent of their games in the dome, including 6-2 last season, and that puts them in the top five of all teams in the NFL. Other teams and players are intimidated not just about the team they’re playing (quite good), but also in the noise and volume, and how that impacts their play while in the stadium.

While limited crowd sizes may lessen the effect of the crowd, opposing teams should expect it to be marginal. Plus, with the roster they’ve assembled, playing on that turf, it may not matter anyway.

Home/NFL