The New Orleans Saints are set to make a return to the Superdome this week and next, taking on the Cleveland Browns and Carolina Panthers at home in back-to-back weeks. In what normally would at least be a great equalizer for the Saints, it's a stretch that has no guarantee to jumpstart their season. The Dome only becomes a usable tool if the crowd has something to cheer for, and so far this season the team hasn't given them any reason to make noise.
The crowd has yet to see a victory in the 2026 season, with the Saints 0-3 at home heading into the bye week. They've seen their team fumble a lead away, get trampled by their arch rivals, and come out with a sputtering offense. The comeback win against the Ravens feels like a distant memory due to the losses, and the win over the Giants nearly turned into a loss in the fourth quarter.
The noise will only follow momentum given by the team, and a measly six first quarter points after seven games played won't get anybody excited. In fact, the Saints have only led a game at home this season for about 20 minutes, which would be embarrassing for any team in the NFL. The building's energy has mirrored that, with noticeable open seats in the second deck.
If the Saints want the crowd behind them, they have to fix their mistakes
When the Saints come out of the bye week this Sunday, the Dome-field advantage will only matter if the team can show that slow starts or perhaps the run game is fixed. Firing their run-game coordinator T.J. Paganetti is a sign, though, that they are making adjustments and showing accountability for once. In the opening quarter of the game against the Browns, the team will have to show that the bye week and staff change will actually translate to the field.
Their opponent, the Browns, has been a surprising success story this year. Trading away Myles Garrett and starting what's probably the most controversial quarterback in the league, Desean Watson, had many believing the 2026 season was done before it even began. However, halfway through the year they're one of just 13 teams with five wins on the year.
New Orleans will likely have to prioritize improving the run game this week over anything else this weekend, as the Browns have a top-10 passing defense this season but a bottom-10 run defense. It's been their biggest issue all season, as they're 29th in the NFL in total rush yards with 602. If they can show any improvement in that regard, then their chances of winning, and potentially even tying the division lead, become all the more likely.
The crowd will get behind them at the least, as a long run by any Saints running back is enough to get the Superdome roaring. Hopefully on Sunday, New Orleans will have two key weapons available. If not, it'll get ugly.
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