01-01-2025, 10:53 AM
(This post was last modified: 01-01-2025, 10:55 AM by purplefaithful.)
Tier 1: The top 3 can leave you 'scarred'
Kansas City (57 points)
Seattle (41.5)
Minnesota (28.5)
It was a snowy, mid-December game in 2019, and Denver Broncos rookie tight end Noah Fant figured the elements would make an impact on the crowd at Arrowhead.
"You figured it's a blizzard, won't be as many fans there," said Fant, currently with the Seattle Seahawks. "And it was still super loud, and they were going crazy."
Not only are they loud, but several players said Chiefs fans are knowledgeable about the game and how to make things difficult on the opponent. It might be because of the multiple playoff runs they've witnessed. The Chiefs haven't missed the playoffs since drafting Mahomes, and they're trying to become the first team in NFL history to win three Super Bowls in a row. After a first-round bye, they'll be hosting a divisional-round game.
The Seahawks were eliminated from playoff contention Sunday, and they're not as successful as they were during their "Legion of Boom" days a decade ago, but Lumen Field remains a tough location. The crowd is called the "12," because it serves as a 12th man, but Washington Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu said it might as well be called the 13 or 14 considering the impact it makes.
"The way the stadium is shaped, the noise just comes right back down on top of you," 49ers tight end George Kittle said. "I also think they're louder against us because they hate us the most, which is awesome. I think that just adds to the environment."
Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Jamel Dean remembers being thrust into a starting role because of a teammate's injury at Seattle as a rookie in 2019, and he was covering DK Metcalf. He said the atmosphere contributed to his jitters in a 40-34 overtime loss.
"It makes your nerves bad," Dean said. "I finally understood the saying, 'Be prepared, as you never know when your time is going to come up.' And I was not prepared for that moment."
Minnesota's U.S. Bank Stadium is an indoor facility, but even without the weather, the atmosphere is uncomfortable for opponents.
"You feel it," New York Giants receiver Darius Slayton said. "As soon as you walk in there, everything is purple.
"You feel like you're out of place there. That is what a good atmosphere does. It makes you feel like you're in the wrong place. If you're in a different color, you feel like you don't belong in there."
San Francisco 49ers All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner said the fans in Minnesota had a profound effect on him.
"They made me think differently about how I approach just being on the sideline, just staying focused on the game and not worrying about everything else," said Warner, who is 0-3 at U.S Bank.
One AFC South player who wished to remain anonymous remembered what it felt like when the Vikings jumped out to a quick lead.
"I heard that 'Skol' chant early and often," he said. "Kind of scarred from that. But it's a cool place."
Source: ESPN
Tier 2: Hostile environments
Philadelphia (18.5)
Buffalo (18)
New Orleans (16.5)
Tier 4: The friendliest division in football
There are tough places to play football, and then there is the AFC South. None of the players voted for the stadiums in Tennessee, Jacksonville, Houston or Indianapolis.
Since 2021, visiting teams have a .563 winning percentage against AFC South teams, the highest for any division, according to ESPN Research. In contrast, the AFC North has been the hardest division to play at with a .387 winning percentage for visiting opponents.
For Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr., the reason is simple: Loud fans come to watch good football teams. Over the past four seasons, the AFC South has a combined record of 108-158-2 (.407).
"I feel like the fans in the NFL, they support winners," Etienne said. "You know, you've got to win for your fans to come out, and we've got to do a much better job at home."
Kansas City (57 points)
Seattle (41.5)
Minnesota (28.5)
It was a snowy, mid-December game in 2019, and Denver Broncos rookie tight end Noah Fant figured the elements would make an impact on the crowd at Arrowhead.
"You figured it's a blizzard, won't be as many fans there," said Fant, currently with the Seattle Seahawks. "And it was still super loud, and they were going crazy."
Not only are they loud, but several players said Chiefs fans are knowledgeable about the game and how to make things difficult on the opponent. It might be because of the multiple playoff runs they've witnessed. The Chiefs haven't missed the playoffs since drafting Mahomes, and they're trying to become the first team in NFL history to win three Super Bowls in a row. After a first-round bye, they'll be hosting a divisional-round game.
The Seahawks were eliminated from playoff contention Sunday, and they're not as successful as they were during their "Legion of Boom" days a decade ago, but Lumen Field remains a tough location. The crowd is called the "12," because it serves as a 12th man, but Washington Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu said it might as well be called the 13 or 14 considering the impact it makes.
"The way the stadium is shaped, the noise just comes right back down on top of you," 49ers tight end George Kittle said. "I also think they're louder against us because they hate us the most, which is awesome. I think that just adds to the environment."
Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Jamel Dean remembers being thrust into a starting role because of a teammate's injury at Seattle as a rookie in 2019, and he was covering DK Metcalf. He said the atmosphere contributed to his jitters in a 40-34 overtime loss.
"It makes your nerves bad," Dean said. "I finally understood the saying, 'Be prepared, as you never know when your time is going to come up.' And I was not prepared for that moment."
Minnesota's U.S. Bank Stadium is an indoor facility, but even without the weather, the atmosphere is uncomfortable for opponents.
"You feel it," New York Giants receiver Darius Slayton said. "As soon as you walk in there, everything is purple.
"You feel like you're out of place there. That is what a good atmosphere does. It makes you feel like you're in the wrong place. If you're in a different color, you feel like you don't belong in there."
San Francisco 49ers All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner said the fans in Minnesota had a profound effect on him.
"They made me think differently about how I approach just being on the sideline, just staying focused on the game and not worrying about everything else," said Warner, who is 0-3 at U.S Bank.
One AFC South player who wished to remain anonymous remembered what it felt like when the Vikings jumped out to a quick lead.
"I heard that 'Skol' chant early and often," he said. "Kind of scarred from that. But it's a cool place."
Source: ESPN
Tier 2: Hostile environments
Philadelphia (18.5)
Buffalo (18)
New Orleans (16.5)
Tier 4: The friendliest division in football
There are tough places to play football, and then there is the AFC South. None of the players voted for the stadiums in Tennessee, Jacksonville, Houston or Indianapolis.
Since 2021, visiting teams have a .563 winning percentage against AFC South teams, the highest for any division, according to ESPN Research. In contrast, the AFC North has been the hardest division to play at with a .387 winning percentage for visiting opponents.
For Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr., the reason is simple: Loud fans come to watch good football teams. Over the past four seasons, the AFC South has a combined record of 108-158-2 (.407).
"I feel like the fans in the NFL, they support winners," Etienne said. "You know, you've got to win for your fans to come out, and we've got to do a much better job at home."
