The New Orleans Saints are technically the home team this Sunday against the Green Bay Packers.
However, the game is taking place in Jacksonville as New Orleans and the entire surrounding region continues its recovery from Hurricane Ida.
Fans can still travel to this venue, but getting back to the Superdome has to be a top priority for the team and the city.
An update about when the team can return was announced earlier Wednesday evening.
Mayor LaToya Cantrell just said the Saints should be able to play at home on October 3rd vs New York
— Sean FazendeFOX8 (@SeanFazendeFOX8) September 8, 2021
Returning October 3 would mean the Saints only play one home game on the road this season.
The Early Schedule
The Saints got lucky with their 2021 schedule given the effects of Ida.
While the team will play its first home game on the road, the matchup against the Packers is followed by two true road matchups.
October 3 now marks a return to the Superdome, at least as of right now, against the New York Giants.
That gives the city nearly another full month to prepare itself to host an NFL game.
Reports indicated the stadium itself was not damaged by the storm.
Yet it would be in poor taste to host a game there so soon and there is also the fact that so much of New Orleans lost power.
The team made the smart decision to just open up in Jacksonville and return home when normalcy will slowly be returning to the city.
A New Home Opener
October 3 is going to be a wild atmosphere at the Superdome no matter the team’s record after three games.
It will mark a much-needed return home and Saints fans will get to see what Jameis Winston can do as the new leader of the franchise.
Even if he struggles, it will just be good to have the Saints home again.
The team essentially gets two home openers now, as many fans should still be traveling to Jacksonville for Sunday’s matchup.
Plenty of the same fans will likely take in that Week 4 matchup as well.
All the Saints and the NFL can do is make the best of the situation.
Aaron Rodgers says #Packers PR official Tom Fanning showed him report Saints picked Florida as alternate location to play because of belief he struggles in Florida. He quipped it was "useless information." Rodgers says it'll be nice to not deal with Superdome noise this week.
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) September 8, 2021
The Packers may complain about the venue, but it is an NFL venue and that means it is fair game.
If they want to be Super Bowl contenders they need to beat any team at any location.
The Saints may actually be the team at the true disadvantage here because they won’t have the support of their domed home.
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