There was a lot of Detroit Lions blue in the stands for Sunday’s game at the Caesars Superdome, which saw cheers for the New Orleans Saints drowned out by visiting fans.
It’s a real shame. The Saints cultivated a strong “Domefield advantage” for years when Sean Payton and Drew Brees were running the show, making the historic venue one of the NFL’s toughest environments to play in. Derek Carr and Dennis Allen don’t bring the same inspiring presences those two future Hall of Famers once did.
That strong and reliable home crowd is no longer here. And no one knows that better than veterans with local ties like Tyrann Mathieu, who noted the boos from Saints fans when Carr took the field after an early interception. That kind of negative feedback is unpleasant, but it’s what they’ve earned by playing poorly.
“Obviously it’s disappointing. I think we all need to play better. I think growing up in this city, it’s no secret that we’re all invested. Obviously they have a right to apply pressure, so to speak, but at the end of the day we’re one family. One community. It’s going to take all of us,” Mathieu said in his postgame press conference.
He later added, “Obviously we have to play better. We have to give them something to cheer for. We have to give them something to be proud of. And so I think that responsibility falls on us as players.”
Mathieu is right. The Saints haven’t defended their home turf well enough in recent years; they won nearly as many games in 2020 alone (6) as in the last three years combined (8). And that’s creating opportunities for visiting fans to take over games and make their presence felt. Check out the sights and sounds from the game for yourself:
Presented without comment, a Saints home game in 2023. pic.twitter.com/09bPtQVIdV
— Jeff Nowak (@Jeff_Nowak) December 3, 2023
The lower bowl of the Superdome is dominated by Lions fans. Saints fans clearly expressing their dissatisfaction with the team by selling their tickets on the secondary market. Speaks volumes… pic.twitter.com/Zeug0hzTDW
— Jeff Duncan (@JeffDuncan_) December 3, 2023
Lions fans are taking over the Superdome 🦁 pic.twitter.com/kDbVtz0RsN
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 3, 2023
The amount of Lions fans here is insane. pic.twitter.com/tgIbsnotLg
— Tina Howell (@TheNolaGirl) December 3, 2023
Just a jarring amount of fans wearing Lions colors here in the Superdome today. I'm not sure I've ever seen a ratio anywhere close to this.
— Mike Triplett (@MikeTriplett) December 3, 2023
This will NEVER get fuckin old
Lions 🦁 fans are taking over stadiums 🏟️ EVERYWHERE!!
Ya LOVE to see it #OnePride pic.twitter.com/5doHUAxliR
— Dan Leach (@DanLeachDTM) December 3, 2023
The @CaesarsDome is about 40% @Lions fans.
Haven’t seen this many visiting fans in the Dome in years for a home #Saints game. 🤦♂️ pic.twitter.com/DUTmMKarBS— Travers Mackel (@TraversWDSU) December 3, 2023
Detroit fans are in here deep. Lots of blue.
— Rod Walker (@RodWalkerNola) December 3, 2023
A 'Let's Go Lions' chant comes through in the Superdome. There's a STRONG contingent of fans here to support them.
— John Hendrix (@JohnJHendrix) December 3, 2023
A "Let's Go Lions" chant broke out in the Dome.
FIRE DENNIS ALLEN.
— Chris Rosvoglou (@RosvoglouReport) December 3, 2023
