Home field advantage is important in today’s NFL, but the Minnesota Vikings have a massive crowd at U.S. Bank Stadium to help them win games each week.
The Minnesota Vikings have only been playing at U.S. Bank Stadium for 2 seasons, but the difference between their games at the new facility compared to those at the Metrodome are night and day.
Things are just different at U.S. Bank Stadium. There are more people in attendance, there are new additions like the SKOL chant, and the way the building itself is designed helps to keep much of the intensity and noise down on the field.
Each of those changes hasn’t been lost on the players of the team. The volume that fans can reach during games has already caused problems for the opposing team on offense, and the hope is that it can continue during the Vikings playoff run.
Recently, the official website of the Minnesota Vikings spoke with several members of the team about what it means to have the crowd being loud and rowdy! Here is tight end Kyle Rudolph speaking about the advantage:
"“There’s nothing better than being on the sidelines on third down when the defense is out there, and as soon as you think the crowd’s loud, the play clock gets under 10, and they get even louder in anticipation for the snap,” Rudolph said. “It’s definitely the loudest crowd I’ve ever been around.”"
Linebacker Eric Kendricks is another player who talked about the fans being an important part of having home-field advantage, especially during the playoffs.
"“It means the world [to start the playoffs with home-field advantage],” Eric Kendricks said. “Our fans are awesome, especially on third down. We’re comfortable at home, and it couldn’t be better.”"
Fellow former UCLA linebacker Anthony Barr feels a different kind of confidence at U.S. Bank Stadium when the team takes the field and hopes to be there for several more games this year.
"“I think any time we step on that field we feel confident, and we feel like we have a chance to win,” Anthony Barr said. “So hopefully we can continue to play some more games. We’ll get at least one, hopefully a couple more.”"
Running back Jerick McKinnon knows that the Vikings are in a position where if they lose a game, they are out of the playoffs. That fact alone has him excited about what the crowd will bring to the upcoming game.
"“It’s do-or-die now,” McKinnon said. “The crowd’s been bringing it every week, and I can only imagine what they’re going to do in the playoffs.”"
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Quarterback Case Keenum got a little more specific and discussed things like the turf, lighting and the crowd itself as to why he feels playing in front of the fans at U.S. Bank Stadium is so different from playing on the road.
"“You know, the turf, the surface feels fast, even the lighting in there, and then you add the fans coming in pregame. Just the whole atmosphere in there, it’s incredible. Our fans are awesome,” Keenum said. “All of my friends and family that have come up from Texas, my friends from other teams that come in will text me after games, and they’re like, ‘Dude, that place is ridiculous.’"
And finally, head coach Mike Zimmer may be a man of few words, but he is willing to give the fans a lot of credit for their volume at home and away games.
"“Our fans are unbelievable,” Zimmer said. “They’re loud. They’ve helped us in a lot of home games.”"
Next: Vikings surprise elderly fan with playoff tickets
The Minnesota Vikings fans will need to be loud and rowdy during the playoff games at U.S. Bank Stadium when they face off against the New Orleans Saints in the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs and hopefully beyond!