If NFL fans aren’t able to attend games, does that honestly affect the Saints?

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought the 2020 NFL season into question, not just for fans, but for the players, coaches and all competitions as well. While the MLB and NBA are set to get underway in just over a week the NFL still has until September to decide how to mitigate risks.

Despite the two other major sports leagues preparing to restart neither have yet to begin and their questions to just how viable playing in this pandemic actually is. At the time of writing 14 MLB players have opted out of playing and the NBA is currently housing, practicing and preparing to begin competition in one of the hot beds of the United States.

Let’s assume the MLB and NBA start their seasons and it goes off without a hitch (not a safe assumption, but still), what does that mean for the NFL? First, it means that football will likely be played in 2020, but barring a vaccine fans are unlikely to attend. The NFL has too much money on the line in TV and media deals for football not to be played.

How would the Saints fare, a team who is normally billed for having some of the loudest fans creating one of the most inhospitable places in sports? To be completely honest, it wouldn’t affect New Orleans too much other than the opposing offenses not having to worry about not hearing plays and changes at the line of scrimmage.

The Saints are one of, if not the most talented team in the NFL. The combination of coaching, veteran presence and chemistry will play right into New Orleans’ hands when they face off against opponents who lack these same traits.

The Saints know and understand how to best face adversity. Except, every team in the NFL will face this same dilemma. New Orleans is ready, hell, they are built for this type of scenario and while no fans in the stands would be unprecedented, the Saints will make the most of what they have.