cubfanindy Major Leagues
Joined: 29 Jul 2006 Posts: 174 Location: Indianapolis, IN
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Posted: Sun Oct 29, 2006 11:15 am Post subject: Biggest Home Field advantage in the NFL? |
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So talking about New Orleans got me thinking about this... what teams have the biggest home field advantages in the NFL? To answer that, we need to determine what exactly makes a home field advantage. Obviously just the comfort level of being in your own stadium where you are used to playing and playing in front of your own fans makes a difference, but every team has that. In order to have a bigger home field advantage than the next guy, there has to be more. I think some big keys are:
1. weather conditions - Are you used to playing in a climate that your opponent is not?
2. Noise level of the stadium - Are your fans loud enough in your stadium to actually disrupt the opposing quarterback when he is trying to call out plays?
3. Loyal fans - This one might not be as noticeable, but I would think that just seeing a full house with a sea of your teams colors from the field would help fire up your team.
I think a few of the biggest home field advantages would have to be:
Denver - Thinner air that they are used to, and their opponents are not.
Oakland - Loud, obnoxious fans who really get into the game. Unfortunately for them, their team just isn't very good this season.
Green Bay - More so in November and December, the weather conditions can be brutal. Packers are used to it. Opponents, not so much. They also have good, loyal, loud fans.
Chicago - Similar to Green Bay. Adverse, windy weather conditions the Bears are used to, and good fans.
New England - Same reasons as the Bears and Packers.
New Orleans - This one is all about the city and the mojo. The fans really want this. They finally have a team that really wants this. Everyone wants to see New Orleans recover, and the Saints to do well. I really believe that the Saints are "America's Team" right now. Going in there right now has to feel like you're playing the Saints and the rest of the nation.
Indianapolis - If you've been to a Colts game at the dome, then you'll know what I'm talking about. This has to be the LOUDEST stadium in the NFL, and being in a dome, the cheering tends to reverberate, and is pretty defeaning. It's common to see the opposing team call timeout when attempting to change the play at the line of scrimmage here.
Thoughts? Who would you add or take away? What other factors contribute to home field advantage? |
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