New Orleans Saints have emotional Sunday ahead of them vs. Giants

After a sleepless September, the New Orleans Saints are finally home. In front of a raucous Superdome, they have a chance to make a move.

Going to the game in New Orleans on Sunday? Consider earplugs.

Following a neutral-site game and two road trips to Charlotte and Foxboro, the Saints are finally coming back to the Bayou this weekend, hosting the New York Giants at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

After enduring Hurricane Ida and going through the early stages of recovery, Saints fans finally have a moment to unleash and enjoy. For the team, it’s reportedly been a focus this week, remembering to deal with the atmosphere, even as the home team. Per James Palmer of NFL.com:

“I think (Payton’s) trying to simulate it in practice with the crowd noise,” said Saints receiver Marquez Callaway. “But from what I’ve heard, from coaches, this crowd … be prepared. They are going to be hyped. Be ready. The hurricane, the first home game after COVID (capacity restrictions) and the crazy start of the season for us. I know the fans are going to be there. I know the city is going to be there, I can’t imagine how it’s going to be.”

At 2-1, New Orleans sits tied for second place in the NFC South, with both it and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers being one game back of the Carolina Panthers. However, Carolina is traveling in Week 4 for a date with the Dallas Cowboys, while the Buccaneers are playing in the Brady Bowl against the New England Patriots.

Meanwhile, the Saints are drawing the 0-3 Giants, who have blown absurd games in consecutive weeks to the Atlanta Falcons and Washington Football Team. With a victory, New Orleans would move to 3-1 with a palatable schedule ahead. While the Buccaneers loom twice and a tough contest with the Buffalo Bills on Thanksgiving is a test, there’s also a litany of winnable games including the New York Jets, Falcons twice and a Week 16, Monday night tilt with the Miami Dolphins at the Superdome.

Ultimately, the New Orleans Saints have a terrific opportunity awaiting them with the punchless Giants in town. Despite Jameis Winston being a game-manager thus far and the offense struggling without star receiver Michael Thomas, they’re getting by against quality opponents. For head coach Sean Payton, those wins mean little if the team dissipates with a loss to one of the league’s worst.

So how to avoid the letdown? For starters, 70,000 causing ears to ring for days.