During my game days in the 1990s, I saw three of my Professional Soccer Hall of Fame teammates (Reggie White, Bruce Smith and Derrick Thomas) abuse offensive tackles at home. Each pass runner would use the initial speed and quick count anticipation to gain an advantage on the line. Thomas, in particular, would take advantage of the raucous atmosphere of Arrowhead Stadium. Not only did it feed off the energy of the crowd, it overwhelmed the faltering pass guards with its exceptional quickness on the first step and anticipation of the snap. The takeoff, burst and acceleration of No. 58 made him an unstoppable force from the edge in obvious passes at home.
I was on the field during the first game of the 1998 season against the Raiders when he fired Jeff George six times, one of which resulted in safety, and forced a fumble. It was the most dominant individual defensive performance that I have witnessed during my more than 20 years in and around the league. It also illustrates how an elite runner can take over a game when the local crowd turns into a frenzy. My belief in this notion was only strengthened after studying the largest house-to-road bag differentials among the 34 bag club members of over 100:
Derrick Thomas, Chiefs: +42.5
Dwight Freeney, foals and cardinals: +31.5
William Fuller, oilers: +25.5
Jared Allen, chiefs and Vikings: +23
Robert Mathis, Colts: +22
It is interesting to note that three of those five players (Freeney, Fuller, and Mathis) spent most of their careers with teams that played their home games indoors. Allen and Thomas played against what has been called the the loudest crowd in the NFL at Arrowhead Stadium (according to Guinness World Records), and Allen also spent half his career with the Vikings, who played their home games in a cupola.
When I look back at the aforementioned teams with the best local records since 2015, I don’t think it’s a coincidence that each team currently has, or recently featured, a five-star pass racer in the starting lineup. Granted, the Patriots may be the exception, but be aware that they give coverage a premium over passing speed with their defensive approach.
That said, the Vikings may be the team most affected by a small or nonexistent local crowd. Mike Zimmer’s team has 34 more sacks at home than on the road since 2015 (125 sacks at home; 91 sacks on the road), with Danielle Hunter and others partying with opponents overwhelmed by the noisy Minnesota crowd.
Without the usual noise and energy to tip the scales in his favor, particularly with defense on the field, the Vikings would lose one of the league’s biggest advantages. The Steelers, Packers and Saints would also miss out on the favorable conditions that routinely help drive Ws.
As such, playing with small crowds or no fans in the stands could open up the playoff field this year and potentially play a big role in the postseason with just one team in each conference taking a bye-bye in the new playoff format.
