How real is the Domefield advantage in the playoffs? (1 Viewer)

[wamland]

Payton and Brees are 6-0 at home in the playoffs. End thread

This

 

[BuddyDeesGhost]

Can anybody find sound arguments why and how the Saints will play the Rams and win convincingly as against the Lions and Cardinals???

We match up well against them. Of course it won't be a blowout. But here are 4 arguments that we can beat them here OR on the road (if we had to):

1. They have something like #28 defense against the run. We have 2 elite RBs + Hill + Z-line.

2. Their entire front 8 is meant to pressure the passer and get sacks. Drew's quick read and releases, coupled with a straight forward rushing attack, nullifies that pressure.

3. The best player in their secondary is old and complacent. We have the 2nd best (maybe the best?) WR in the game - and he's hungry. Not to mention we can stretch the secondary with Ginn.

4. Their WRs are not as physical as our secondary. This is playoff football and the refs will let us play. Expect a lot of hand battles and boxing out of Cooks and Woods. We win that battle every time.

Of course, you state the possibility very accurately that they may be fully prepared to communicate over the noise. At an X's and O's level, this might work, but at a practical level sometimes the noise and intimidation factor makes opposing player's hands stiffen up. They can run the routes right, but can they concentrate on the mechanics like catching and holding onto the ball?

I think not.

Look at the AP fumbles in 09. One of the best RBs to ever play the game has everything to lose, yet he still puts the ball on the carpet 3 times. Why? What about Alshon Jefferies "hands of stone" act last week? 9/10 Jefferies makes that catch.

 

[FGE413]

I'm a little concerned about refs letting Aqib Talib get away with interfering with our receivers. BUT...as I said in another thread, DAL receivers were open all night last weekend. So that's a good sign.

I think the game's a toss-up in many ways, but I do like that this will be the first road playoff game for many of the Rams, including their QB. As noted above, the 09 Vikes sure got jittery on the big stage, even an old guy like Favre.

 

[joejr]

I think the OP answered his own question. The Saints WON those games. Advantage Saints. Evidently the Rams are worried too because they sure are talking about it a lot.

 

[Mr. Sparkle]

Interesting that at least 2 of those games featured the opponent making a key error late in the game, after getting blasted with noise for 3 hours.

That said, my screaming is as much about helping me cope as it is helping the team. I cant stand being at home. I need the outlet.

 

[St.Fury]

OK Who Dat's. I admit getting a bit paranoid and anxious about the upcoming game. I was calm as a cucumber vs the Eagles but I have a bad feeling about the game vs the Rams. I just can't shake it. Too close to call

The Saints are good at home. No doubt. But when looking more carefully at certain home playoff games makes me sweat

1. vs Kurt Warners Rams 31-28. The Saints dominated but almost let the Rams back in. Saints could have lost
2. vs. Eagles in 2006. A very tight game 27-24. Saints were the better team
3. vs. the Vikings in the NFCCG. Wow!. The Vikings actually outplayed the Saints, but 5 Vikings TO's sealed the game (as well as the INT). Saints could have lost
4. vs. the Panthers. Third game against the Panthers. Again not the best effort but did just enough to win and sack Cam in the end. The Saints could have lost
5. vs Eagles in 2019 20-14. Quite good and dominate game by the Saints. But the missed FG and Foles driving late in the 4th. INT saved the day. Saints could have lost

I am not sure the Domefield advantage is that great come playoffs. Most of our games are much closer than in the regular season. Can anybody find sound arguments why and how the Saints will play the Rams and win convincingly as against the Lions and Cardinals???

You’re skipping over a whole lot of details. You can definitely make the argument that those close games ended in our favor due to home-field advantage and the dome crowd. Just look back at last week. The crowd caused multiple false starts as well as the Eagles having to use 2 timeouts.

 

[VikesFan2017]

In 1998 we hosted the NFC Championship Game against Atlanta. I was at that game and it was incredibly loud.
The noise alone seemed to have contributed to three separate offsides penalties.

Only issue was, all three were against the Vikings.

Simply unbelievable.

 

[VikesFan2017]

On topic of the 2009 game, did you guys ever hear about the earplug story?

The story after we lost was that we had given our team some new, high-tech, earplugs to help with the noise. But in doing so, the players balance was affected and some "experts" felt that was the reason for the numerous turnovers.

 

[efil4stnias]

On topic of the 2009 game, did you guys ever hear about the earplug story?

The story after we lost was that we had given our team some new, high-tech, earplugs to help with the noise. But in doing so, the players balance was affected and some "experts" felt that was the reason for the numerous turnovers.

Sure did. And the wristbands and Farve stating he had to yell at top of his lungs to communicate in the huddle. For 3 hrs.

Goff and Co. has yet to experience anything close to what they will be receiving Sunday. They won't just hear it, they will feel it.

I felt it in 2009 in the Dome. You feel the noise. And I was in terrace. (upper level). I can't imagine what it is like on the field.

 

[simon templar]

[QUOTE="Great Dane, post: 7477529 Can anybody find sound arguments why and how the Saints will play the Rams and win convincingly as against the Lions and Cardinals???[/QUOTE]

 

[Great Dane]

Interesting that at least 2 of those games featured the opponent making a key error late in the game, after getting blasted with noise for 3 hours.

I was thinking the same. But why Hakim dropped the ball and A Jeffrey butterfingered a wide open pass, probably had to do with other factors as well (coverage, lack of concentration, the importance of exact that moment - big play late in the game, thinking rather than playing).

I don't think the noise was the major factor why Hakim dropped the ball.

 

[Great Dane]

We match up well against them. Of course it won't be a blowout. But here are 4 arguments that we can beat them here OR on the road (if we had to):

1. They have something like #28 defense against the run. We have 2 elite RBs + Hill + Z-line.

2. Their entire front 8 is meant to pressure the passer and get sacks. Drew's quick read and releases, coupled with a straight forward rushing attack, nullifies that pressure.

3. The best player in their secondary is old and complacent. We have the 2nd best (maybe the best?) WR in the game - and he's hungry. Not to mention we can stretch the secondary with Ginn.

4. Their WRs are not as physical as our secondary. This is playoff football and the refs will let us play. Expect a lot of hand battles and boxing out of Cooks and Woods. We win that battle every time.

Of course, you state the possibility very accurately that they may be fully prepared to communicate over the noise. At an X's and O's level, this might work, but at a practical level sometimes the noise and intimidation factor makes opposing player's hands stiffen up. They can run the routes right, but can they concentrate on the mechanics like catching and holding onto the ball?

I think not.

Look at the AP fumbles in 09. One of the best RBs to ever play the game has everything to lose, yet he still puts the ball on the carpet 3 times. Why? What about Alshon Jefferies "hands of stone" act last week? 9/10 Jefferies makes that catch.

Of all the serious and great answers, this is by far the best. I really enjoyed reading your points - which all makes sense. This was the kind of "comfort arguments" an anxious old-time Saints fan needed to read. Thanks pal.

 

[0rion]

It can be the difference maker and has been in almost every win. Payton will be the first to tell you how important it is. There's a reason a coach that's busy coaching a team in a playoff game where he has 1000 things going on takes the time to wave his hands getting the crowd fired up. The dome truly is a 12th man on defense.


That being said would it kill someone to have us handily win one of these games and get up by 20 points early and stay there? I'm tired of these nail biters. Haha

 

[0rion]

We match up well against them. Of course it won't be a blowout. But here are 4 arguments that we can beat them here OR on the road (if we had to):

1. They have something like #28 defense against the run. We have 2 elite RBs + Hill + Z-line.

2. Their entire front 8 is meant to pressure the passer and get sacks. Drew's quick read and releases, coupled with a straight forward rushing attack, nullifies that pressure.

3. The best player in their secondary is old and complacent. We have the 2nd best (maybe the best?) WR in the game - and he's hungry. Not to mention we can stretch the secondary with Ginn.

4. Their WRs are not as physical as our secondary. This is playoff football and the refs will let us play. Expect a lot of hand battles and boxing out of Cooks and Woods. We win that battle every time.

Of course, you state the possibility very accurately that they may be fully prepared to communicate over the noise. At an X's and O's level, this might work, but at a practical level sometimes the noise and intimidation factor makes opposing player's hands stiffen up. They can run the routes right, but can they concentrate on the mechanics like catching and holding onto the ball?

I think not.

Look at the AP fumbles in 09. One of the best RBs to ever play the game has everything to lose, yet he still puts the ball on the carpet 3 times. Why? What about Alshon Jefferies "hands of stone" act last week? 9/10 Jefferies makes that catch.

I need to watch the game with you. Everything you said makes perfect sense.

 

[Retroroq]

Its a HFA because.... well,

what is the playoff record on the road?

Home Field gives the Saints an advantage this weekend.