1 00:00:06,026 --> 00:00:09,506 Speaker 1: NFL Explained is a production of the NFL in partnership 2 00:00:09,706 --> 00:00:14,106 Speaker 1: with I Heart Radio. Welcome to NFL Explained, a production 3 00:00:14,266 --> 00:00:18,066 Speaker 1: of the NFL in partnership with I Heart Radio. Up 4 00:00:18,066 --> 00:00:21,226 Speaker 1: Work is the world's work marketplace. Empower your business and 5 00:00:21,306 --> 00:00:25,626 Speaker 1: hire the world's most in demand developers, designers, project managers 6 00:00:25,626 --> 00:00:30,026 Speaker 1: and more at www dot up work dot com. America's 7 00:00:30,066 --> 00:00:33,026 Speaker 1: most reliable network is going ultra with Verizon five G 8 00:00:33,266 --> 00:00:35,746 Speaker 1: Ultra wide ban and more and more places with up 9 00:00:35,746 --> 00:00:38,466 Speaker 1: to ten times faster speeds. You can download a movie 10 00:00:38,506 --> 00:00:42,146 Speaker 1: in mere minutes. What Yes, Verizon is going Ultra so 11 00:00:42,226 --> 00:00:44,506 Speaker 1: you can to five G Ultra wide ban available in 12 00:00:44,546 --> 00:00:46,946 Speaker 1: select areas. Most reliable based on rankings from the Root 13 00:00:46,986 --> 00:00:50,586 Speaker 1: Metrics US ROOTS Score report dated first half, excluding c 14 00:00:50,746 --> 00:00:52,946 Speaker 1: ban and not specific to five G networks. Your results 15 00:00:52,946 --> 00:00:55,906 Speaker 1: may vary. Not an endorsement speed comparison to Media Verizon 16 00:00:55,986 --> 00:00:59,066 Speaker 1: four G LTE speeds downloads vary based on network conditions 17 00:00:59,066 --> 00:01:08,946 Speaker 1: and five G content optimization. Last season, due to the 18 00:01:08,986 --> 00:01:13,426 Speaker 1: COVID pandemic, the NFL sadly placed to mostly empty stadiums 19 00:01:13,466 --> 00:01:18,106 Speaker 1: and of course the occasional cardboard cutoffs. So what did 20 00:01:18,186 --> 00:01:22,866 Speaker 1: that do to home field advantage. Interestingly enough, it was 21 00:01:22,946 --> 00:01:26,626 Speaker 1: the first season in NFL history that saw home teams 22 00:01:26,946 --> 00:01:30,626 Speaker 1: with a losing record granted by just one game, but 23 00:01:30,706 --> 00:01:33,226 Speaker 1: still one hundred and twenty seven wins, one hundred and 24 00:01:33,226 --> 00:01:36,426 Speaker 1: twenty eight losses and one tie. And to such agree 25 00:01:36,466 --> 00:01:38,906 Speaker 1: it kind of makes sense, right with no twelve man bills, 26 00:01:38,946 --> 00:01:42,306 Speaker 1: Mafia or the dog pounds squeezing every last ounce of 27 00:01:42,386 --> 00:01:45,666 Speaker 1: juice out of the home team wears the advantage. It 28 00:01:45,706 --> 00:01:49,586 Speaker 1: turns out that this year, with fans back in the stands, 29 00:01:50,026 --> 00:01:53,506 Speaker 1: we've also seen the second lowest home win percentage in 30 00:01:53,586 --> 00:01:58,586 Speaker 1: league history. Through sixteen weeks, it's sitting at exactly fifty 31 00:01:58,706 --> 00:02:01,826 Speaker 1: point six percent. In fact, the last three seasons have 32 00:02:01,946 --> 00:02:05,066 Speaker 1: seen three of the four lowest home team win percentages 33 00:02:05,106 --> 00:02:08,906 Speaker 1: since Night ten seventy. But now even in two thousand nineteen, 34 00:02:09,666 --> 00:02:13,506 Speaker 1: road teams had a higher point per game average than 35 00:02:13,706 --> 00:02:17,226 Speaker 1: home teams for the first time since the NFL merger. 36 00:02:17,746 --> 00:02:21,906 Speaker 1: The last four seasons have been the highest scoring seasons 37 00:02:21,946 --> 00:02:25,466 Speaker 1: for road teams since the merger. Did you know what 38 00:02:25,506 --> 00:02:27,706 Speaker 1: that means? If anyone goes back to one of our 39 00:02:27,746 --> 00:02:31,226 Speaker 1: previous episodes that defense wins championships? In that question, it's 40 00:02:31,346 --> 00:02:35,026 Speaker 1: clearly all about the offense. But as pertains to this 41 00:02:35,106 --> 00:02:39,146 Speaker 1: particular episode, I actually don't even know if I totally 42 00:02:39,346 --> 00:02:41,866 Speaker 1: buy some of the numbers, which once again is sort 43 00:02:41,906 --> 00:02:43,906 Speaker 1: of crazy for me to say, because I think about 44 00:02:44,026 --> 00:02:46,866 Speaker 1: Fireman ed, I think about the terrible towels that are 45 00:02:46,906 --> 00:02:49,066 Speaker 1: always kind of swirling in your neck of the woods 46 00:02:49,066 --> 00:02:53,346 Speaker 1: in Pittsburgh, like that has to have some sort of impact. 47 00:02:53,466 --> 00:02:55,466 Speaker 1: But as we dig through some of the numbers, I 48 00:02:55,506 --> 00:02:57,706 Speaker 1: don't know if the answer is totally yes to that well, 49 00:02:57,746 --> 00:03:00,426 Speaker 1: and there may be some teams, Mike, that are skewing 50 00:03:00,546 --> 00:03:03,266 Speaker 1: the numbers. But see, that's why it's so important that 51 00:03:03,386 --> 00:03:06,026 Speaker 1: here on NFL Explained we get to the bottom of 52 00:03:06,146 --> 00:03:08,906 Speaker 1: why some might have a home field advantage and if 53 00:03:08,946 --> 00:03:12,946 Speaker 1: this advantage might be fading or not. I'm a d 54 00:03:13,066 --> 00:03:17,146 Speaker 1: d KI kapella, joined as always by my buddy Mike. Yeah, 55 00:03:17,226 --> 00:03:19,986 Speaker 1: I'm looking forward to this one. I'm wondering if the 56 00:03:20,066 --> 00:03:23,146 Speaker 1: debate is going to rage because I would imagine the 57 00:03:23,146 --> 00:03:25,546 Speaker 1: two of us are probably on the same side of this. 58 00:03:25,626 --> 00:03:28,506 Speaker 1: That home field advantage is meaningful. Like I think about 59 00:03:28,506 --> 00:03:31,346 Speaker 1: it from a Vegas perspective, I think about it from 60 00:03:31,386 --> 00:03:34,866 Speaker 1: just Win percentages and typically in my mind, all the 61 00:03:34,866 --> 00:03:36,986 Speaker 1: players and coaches that I've ever talked to, Hey, winning 62 00:03:36,986 --> 00:03:39,466 Speaker 1: on the road is not an easy thing. Well, let 63 00:03:39,466 --> 00:03:41,506 Speaker 1: me tell you, I am going to come at this 64 00:03:41,786 --> 00:03:45,746 Speaker 1: like a real reporter with an open mind. Let's see 65 00:03:45,946 --> 00:03:49,586 Speaker 1: where the numbers and the anecdotes and the history takes us. 66 00:03:49,986 --> 00:03:52,066 Speaker 1: We're going to challenge some long held beliefs on the 67 00:03:52,106 --> 00:03:54,186 Speaker 1: topic of home field advantage. Of course, we'll see what 68 00:03:54,266 --> 00:03:58,306 Speaker 1: matters what doesn't. We'll find out why there might actually be, Mike, 69 00:03:58,906 --> 00:04:02,666 Speaker 1: some medical science behind the importance of being at home. 70 00:04:03,186 --> 00:04:06,706 Speaker 1: Love the science angle behind all of a stufs, But actually, 71 00:04:06,786 --> 00:04:09,706 Speaker 1: let's take a look at one big piece that fuels 72 00:04:09,746 --> 00:04:12,506 Speaker 1: the public perception of home field advantage. And I made 73 00:04:12,506 --> 00:04:15,106 Speaker 1: reference to it, and it's the betting aspect. For years, 74 00:04:15,106 --> 00:04:18,226 Speaker 1: sports books felt that simply playing on your home field 75 00:04:18,226 --> 00:04:20,506 Speaker 1: would add about a two to three point bump in 76 00:04:20,546 --> 00:04:22,786 Speaker 1: the spread. And just to explain for people who aren't 77 00:04:22,786 --> 00:04:26,106 Speaker 1: necessarily deep diving into the betting world just yet, or 78 00:04:26,106 --> 00:04:29,226 Speaker 1: maybe they're just playing fantasy, the whole point is a 79 00:04:29,226 --> 00:04:32,146 Speaker 1: team that may have been a three point favorite on 80 00:04:32,226 --> 00:04:34,826 Speaker 1: the road would actually go up to a six point 81 00:04:34,946 --> 00:04:37,786 Speaker 1: favorite at home, and a team that was a two 82 00:04:37,866 --> 00:04:41,226 Speaker 1: point underdog on the road would become a slight favorite 83 00:04:41,226 --> 00:04:43,866 Speaker 1: at home. Now, for some sports books, they still hold 84 00:04:43,906 --> 00:04:46,346 Speaker 1: fast that that two to three point rule. But in 85 00:04:47,106 --> 00:04:49,666 Speaker 1: with no crowds and just those cardboard cutouts that a 86 00:04:49,746 --> 00:04:53,306 Speaker 1: DD you love so much, Vegas saw its lowest advantage 87 00:04:53,386 --> 00:04:57,226 Speaker 1: ever for home teams at one point zero six per game. 88 00:04:57,466 --> 00:05:00,466 Speaker 1: Now most agree that that advantage is a little kind 89 00:05:00,466 --> 00:05:03,026 Speaker 1: of on the downside. Here, it seems like from a 90 00:05:03,106 --> 00:05:06,426 Speaker 1: Vegas perspective, a DD that two to three point number 91 00:05:06,586 --> 00:05:08,786 Speaker 1: is a little bit more in question nowadays. Well, and 92 00:05:08,826 --> 00:05:11,506 Speaker 1: it's true because the average home win percentage from nineteen 93 00:05:11,586 --> 00:05:15,706 Speaker 1: seventy to nine, Mike was fifty seven point nine percent, 94 00:05:15,906 --> 00:05:20,066 Speaker 1: but since two thousand it's only fifty six point three percent. 95 00:05:20,426 --> 00:05:22,866 Speaker 1: Will certainly take some guesses as to why teams aren't 96 00:05:22,906 --> 00:05:25,346 Speaker 1: as dominant at home right now as they used to be, 97 00:05:25,946 --> 00:05:29,386 Speaker 1: But home field advantage still does exist, even if it's 98 00:05:29,386 --> 00:05:33,346 Speaker 1: declining or shrinking. So let's first start by looking at 99 00:05:33,386 --> 00:05:38,666 Speaker 1: some of the reasons why it exists. Obvious number one travel, Say, 100 00:05:38,706 --> 00:05:41,226 Speaker 1: for instance, Mike, when a West Coast team plays on 101 00:05:41,266 --> 00:05:46,586 Speaker 1: the East Coast in prime time, maybe their bodies are 102 00:05:46,626 --> 00:05:49,906 Speaker 1: at their most efficient from between four thirty to seven 103 00:05:49,946 --> 00:05:53,706 Speaker 1: thirty Eastern, So that's a sweet spot for West Coast 104 00:05:53,706 --> 00:05:56,826 Speaker 1: teams in prime time, whereas maybe the body clock of 105 00:05:56,866 --> 00:05:59,586 Speaker 1: a player on the East Coast has already started to 106 00:05:59,586 --> 00:06:02,986 Speaker 1: shut down. On the converse, the West Coast team going 107 00:06:03,026 --> 00:06:05,626 Speaker 1: to play at one pm. On the East Coast, well 108 00:06:05,746 --> 00:06:07,706 Speaker 1: it's ten am. That's the time when you're supposed to 109 00:06:07,706 --> 00:06:11,666 Speaker 1: be eating your waffles, right. So since two thousand West 110 00:06:11,746 --> 00:06:15,346 Speaker 1: Coast teams are indeed thirty and nineteen in home prime 111 00:06:15,386 --> 00:06:19,306 Speaker 1: time games, East Coast teams are just eleven and eighteen 112 00:06:19,466 --> 00:06:23,226 Speaker 1: versus their Pacific time zone counterparts over that same span. 113 00:06:23,546 --> 00:06:27,186 Speaker 1: It makes sense. Add because generally speaking, that four thirty 114 00:06:27,226 --> 00:06:30,266 Speaker 1: to seven thirty Eastern time, like, I would understand why 115 00:06:30,346 --> 00:06:32,466 Speaker 1: players would thrive in some of those moments. But if 116 00:06:32,466 --> 00:06:34,146 Speaker 1: I asked you, are you a morning person or a 117 00:06:34,226 --> 00:06:36,706 Speaker 1: night owl? Like, everyone is a little different, but the 118 00:06:36,746 --> 00:06:39,226 Speaker 1: numbers do bear out, I guess generally speaking, that does 119 00:06:39,466 --> 00:06:42,266 Speaker 1: make sense. And I mean, look, Mike, every single player 120 00:06:42,266 --> 00:06:44,946 Speaker 1: I've ever spoken to says that he hates playing nighttime 121 00:06:44,986 --> 00:06:47,826 Speaker 1: games because it's just the idea of having to wait 122 00:06:47,946 --> 00:06:50,786 Speaker 1: all day whereas the one o'clock your body is in 123 00:06:50,826 --> 00:06:53,146 Speaker 1: a really good routine. This is when I wake up, 124 00:06:53,186 --> 00:06:54,586 Speaker 1: this is when I eat, this is when I do 125 00:06:54,626 --> 00:06:56,826 Speaker 1: what I do as opposed to sitting around and waiting. 126 00:06:56,946 --> 00:06:58,866 Speaker 1: And as a reporter, I don't really like those primetime 127 00:06:58,906 --> 00:07:00,866 Speaker 1: games either. Let's just get it on. Yeah, I don't 128 00:07:00,906 --> 00:07:02,626 Speaker 1: know if we're going to get to it in this episode, 129 00:07:02,626 --> 00:07:04,506 Speaker 1: but can you imagine if there was a way to 130 00:07:04,666 --> 00:07:08,146 Speaker 1: measure if it's a primetime game and they're just waiting around, 131 00:07:08,186 --> 00:07:12,346 Speaker 1: and what that actual element does for production later in 132 00:07:12,386 --> 00:07:15,226 Speaker 1: the day, Because clearly I've had those same conversations with 133 00:07:15,266 --> 00:07:17,786 Speaker 1: players that they don't like playing late. So it's just 134 00:07:17,826 --> 00:07:21,106 Speaker 1: one of those other looming factors. But crowd noise, obviously 135 00:07:21,186 --> 00:07:23,266 Speaker 1: is another thing that I think people always refer to. 136 00:07:23,586 --> 00:07:27,186 Speaker 1: You know, Pacific West Coast teams, for example, there's one 137 00:07:27,226 --> 00:07:29,986 Speaker 1: in particular that's known for having that earth shattering noise 138 00:07:30,026 --> 00:07:32,346 Speaker 1: because of its fans. But how much does that noise 139 00:07:32,666 --> 00:07:36,226 Speaker 1: and what the fans are doing actually matter? Not surprising here, 140 00:07:36,346 --> 00:07:39,386 Speaker 1: the Seahawks and the Chiefs, the two loudest stadiums in 141 00:07:39,386 --> 00:07:43,426 Speaker 1: the NFL, both win significantly more games at home than 142 00:07:43,506 --> 00:07:46,146 Speaker 1: on the road. In team history, Casey's winning percentage is 143 00:07:46,226 --> 00:07:49,706 Speaker 1: nearly seventeen percent higher at home than on the road, 144 00:07:49,706 --> 00:07:53,066 Speaker 1: while Seattle's home versus away winning percentage eighteen points six 145 00:07:53,106 --> 00:07:56,786 Speaker 1: percent greater. That's wild to me. The three teams with 146 00:07:56,906 --> 00:08:01,706 Speaker 1: the least influential home field advantage been the Panthers, the Giants, 147 00:08:01,746 --> 00:08:03,146 Speaker 1: a DV I know you, and I are like what, 148 00:08:03,786 --> 00:08:07,706 Speaker 1: and surprisingly, how about this Saints. All three see less 149 00:08:07,746 --> 00:08:10,986 Speaker 1: than a ten percent bump in terms of better winning 150 00:08:10,986 --> 00:08:14,626 Speaker 1: percentage on their home turf. Once again, the number staggering 151 00:08:14,666 --> 00:08:17,146 Speaker 1: to me. The Saints obviously the big surprise, just considering 152 00:08:17,146 --> 00:08:19,306 Speaker 1: the success that they've had, the fact that they're playing 153 00:08:19,346 --> 00:08:21,266 Speaker 1: also in the Dome, you would think some of that 154 00:08:21,306 --> 00:08:23,386 Speaker 1: stuff would actually help. Well, you know, Mike, it's so 155 00:08:23,466 --> 00:08:25,466 Speaker 1: interesting that you say that, because I think a lot 156 00:08:25,506 --> 00:08:28,586 Speaker 1: of this really has to do with trends and how 157 00:08:28,666 --> 00:08:31,186 Speaker 1: good your team is. And so when you look at 158 00:08:31,306 --> 00:08:35,906 Speaker 1: who really is actually the best right now entering this 159 00:08:35,946 --> 00:08:38,746 Speaker 1: season in terms of a differential between a home win 160 00:08:38,826 --> 00:08:42,226 Speaker 1: percentage and a road win percentage, Number one is the Ravens. 161 00:08:42,506 --> 00:08:45,346 Speaker 1: They went at home scent of the time they went 162 00:08:45,386 --> 00:08:47,506 Speaker 1: on the road forty three point five percent of the time. 163 00:08:47,506 --> 00:08:50,186 Speaker 1: But the Ravens have been a really good competitive team 164 00:08:50,226 --> 00:08:55,066 Speaker 1: for a long time, and so those are both good numbers. Essentially. 165 00:08:55,426 --> 00:08:57,786 Speaker 1: Number two is the Broncos that have a twenty point 166 00:08:57,866 --> 00:09:01,386 Speaker 1: three percent differential. Well, everybody who plays in Denver, and 167 00:09:01,426 --> 00:09:03,466 Speaker 1: you and I have talked about this on previous episodes 168 00:09:03,826 --> 00:09:06,746 Speaker 1: talks about how difficult the AULTO two could be. But 169 00:09:06,786 --> 00:09:08,986 Speaker 1: then you look at number three, that's the Bengals that 170 00:09:09,026 --> 00:09:11,706 Speaker 1: have a nearly twenty percent differential. Well, on the at 171 00:09:11,746 --> 00:09:13,906 Speaker 1: home they only win fifty four percent of the time 172 00:09:13,946 --> 00:09:15,946 Speaker 1: and on the road they win thirty four percent at 173 00:09:15,986 --> 00:09:18,986 Speaker 1: the time. So some of it, again is those numbers 174 00:09:18,986 --> 00:09:22,786 Speaker 1: are a little bit closer together. You see the Steelers 175 00:09:22,786 --> 00:09:25,106 Speaker 1: in the top half, well, the Steelers have been a 176 00:09:25,146 --> 00:09:27,586 Speaker 1: good team. You see the Packers in the top half, Well, 177 00:09:27,586 --> 00:09:29,586 Speaker 1: the Packers have been a really good team. You go 178 00:09:29,626 --> 00:09:32,306 Speaker 1: to the bottom of the list, well, the Jets, they 179 00:09:32,346 --> 00:09:35,106 Speaker 1: haven't been particularly good. The Panthers, they've struggled a bit 180 00:09:35,186 --> 00:09:37,706 Speaker 1: as of late. The Browns, sure they have as well. 181 00:09:37,866 --> 00:09:42,866 Speaker 1: So I can't really tell if a big differential is 182 00:09:42,906 --> 00:09:45,546 Speaker 1: a great statement or not, because in theory, you don't 183 00:09:45,546 --> 00:09:48,106 Speaker 1: want a huge differential. You want a team that's really consistent, 184 00:09:48,186 --> 00:09:50,386 Speaker 1: right Mike, Like you say, this is a good team, 185 00:09:50,466 --> 00:09:52,626 Speaker 1: it has the chance to win on the road to 186 00:09:52,906 --> 00:09:56,506 Speaker 1: some great success. But then you look at teams that 187 00:09:56,626 --> 00:10:00,746 Speaker 1: win at home more than any place else. I mean 188 00:10:00,946 --> 00:10:03,386 Speaker 1: the Ravens number. Forget their differential, the fact that the 189 00:10:03,506 --> 00:10:06,866 Speaker 1: Ravens win at home sixty sent of the time. I'll 190 00:10:06,906 --> 00:10:09,146 Speaker 1: tell you I spend a ton of time in Baltimore. 191 00:10:09,386 --> 00:10:12,426 Speaker 1: There are great, great, great fans there, but there's also 192 00:10:12,506 --> 00:10:15,066 Speaker 1: great food in that stadium, and I think there's something 193 00:10:15,106 --> 00:10:18,506 Speaker 1: to be said for familiar confines. Well, I think on 194 00:10:18,586 --> 00:10:20,746 Speaker 1: top of that, like you mentioned Baltimore, and you're right, 195 00:10:20,906 --> 00:10:24,266 Speaker 1: generally speaking, you just want to win games, whether it's 196 00:10:24,266 --> 00:10:26,666 Speaker 1: home or away. I do think once again, from a 197 00:10:26,666 --> 00:10:30,066 Speaker 1: psychological effect, as you start thinking about matchups and opponents. 198 00:10:30,066 --> 00:10:32,026 Speaker 1: We do this all the time on NFL Network, right 199 00:10:32,026 --> 00:10:33,826 Speaker 1: like or even just as a fan, you do the 200 00:10:34,066 --> 00:10:35,986 Speaker 1: win lost thing as you look at a team schedule, 201 00:10:36,026 --> 00:10:37,626 Speaker 1: and when a team is playing at home and you 202 00:10:37,626 --> 00:10:40,266 Speaker 1: know there's such a juggernaut like the Ravens, you tend 203 00:10:40,306 --> 00:10:42,146 Speaker 1: to give them the W before they play that game 204 00:10:42,266 --> 00:10:44,186 Speaker 1: versus the L. So, once again, a little bit of 205 00:10:44,186 --> 00:10:45,586 Speaker 1: a factor there, and I think one of the other 206 00:10:45,626 --> 00:10:48,986 Speaker 1: teams each brought up there, and you mentioned Green Bay 207 00:10:49,066 --> 00:10:51,706 Speaker 1: leads to another aspect, and indeed it sounds like you 208 00:10:51,706 --> 00:10:53,586 Speaker 1: want to say something else. Well, I was just gonna 209 00:10:53,626 --> 00:10:56,466 Speaker 1: go back, Mike to the Ravens. One other point that 210 00:10:56,506 --> 00:10:58,186 Speaker 1: actually I can't even take credit for this is our 211 00:10:58,186 --> 00:11:01,946 Speaker 1: fabulous producer Zach mentioned it. The Ravens historically forever are 212 00:11:01,986 --> 00:11:05,026 Speaker 1: known for what how good their defense is. And so 213 00:11:05,066 --> 00:11:07,466 Speaker 1: when you were talking earlier about crowd noise, like at 214 00:11:07,466 --> 00:11:10,106 Speaker 1: a place like Seattle or an Arrowhead stadium, or certainly 215 00:11:10,106 --> 00:11:14,826 Speaker 1: in Baltimore, the noise helps the home defense because the 216 00:11:14,866 --> 00:11:18,266 Speaker 1: noise forces the offense to have communication issues, perhaps have 217 00:11:18,346 --> 00:11:20,466 Speaker 1: to go to a silent count, all of those things. 218 00:11:20,666 --> 00:11:23,866 Speaker 1: If you historically have a great defense, then that home 219 00:11:24,026 --> 00:11:27,666 Speaker 1: field noise has to certainly help you. Let me think 220 00:11:27,666 --> 00:11:29,746 Speaker 1: about it. It's like in Hines Field when they play renegade, 221 00:11:29,746 --> 00:11:31,426 Speaker 1: they don't play that when the offense is on the field. 222 00:11:31,426 --> 00:11:33,586 Speaker 1: They play that when the defenses on the field. Players 223 00:11:33,586 --> 00:11:35,786 Speaker 1: are motioning for noise, not when the offense is on 224 00:11:35,786 --> 00:11:37,346 Speaker 1: the field, but when the defense is on the field, 225 00:11:37,346 --> 00:11:39,866 Speaker 1: and when you already have a dominant defense. It sort 226 00:11:39,866 --> 00:11:42,106 Speaker 1: of plays into this idea of the crowd noise helping 227 00:11:45,786 --> 00:11:48,186 Speaker 1: build the team that will build your business. 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Verizon five G 246 00:12:41,706 --> 00:12:44,226 Speaker 1: Ultra wide Band is now in more and more places, 247 00:12:44,306 --> 00:12:47,466 Speaker 1: Verizon is going Ultra, so you can to five G 248 00:12:47,666 --> 00:12:50,426 Speaker 1: Ultra wide band available in select areas. Most reliable based 249 00:12:50,426 --> 00:12:52,666 Speaker 1: on rankings from the Root Metrics US ROOTS Score report 250 00:12:52,706 --> 00:12:55,546 Speaker 1: dated first half one, excluding C band and not specific 251 00:12:55,626 --> 00:12:57,706 Speaker 1: to five G networks. Your results may vary. Not an 252 00:12:57,746 --> 00:13:00,986 Speaker 1: endorsement speed comparison to Media and Verizon four G LTE speeds, 253 00:13:01,026 --> 00:13:04,586 Speaker 1: downloads very based on network conditions and five G content optimization. 254 00:13:11,266 --> 00:13:14,386 Speaker 1: Welcome back to NFL explaining Mike yam Ataddi kinkawaala with you, 255 00:13:14,586 --> 00:13:17,346 Speaker 1: and we've started to piece together the reasons why teams 256 00:13:17,626 --> 00:13:21,026 Speaker 1: might see a home field advantage. Crowd noise one factor. 257 00:13:21,066 --> 00:13:24,986 Speaker 1: I think there's another one that people automatically just enjoy 258 00:13:25,146 --> 00:13:28,146 Speaker 1: watching when they're at home. There's nothing cooler than you know, 259 00:13:28,266 --> 00:13:30,346 Speaker 1: players in cold weather you see sort of like the 260 00:13:30,666 --> 00:13:33,266 Speaker 1: smoke and the steam coming off of their heads and 261 00:13:33,306 --> 00:13:35,026 Speaker 1: their helmets as soon as they take them off. For 262 00:13:35,146 --> 00:13:36,826 Speaker 1: guys that are just bundled up, and you know, when 263 00:13:36,826 --> 00:13:38,426 Speaker 1: there's the snow on the field, I'm not gonna lie. 264 00:13:38,466 --> 00:13:40,666 Speaker 1: Sometimes I get a little more entertained, a little more 265 00:13:40,786 --> 00:13:43,186 Speaker 1: juice from that perspective. As someone who's been on the 266 00:13:43,306 --> 00:13:46,906 Speaker 1: field when there is snow. Not that much fun. Mike, Yeah, no, 267 00:13:47,026 --> 00:13:48,826 Speaker 1: I I get it. That's you be a studio guy 268 00:13:48,866 --> 00:13:50,786 Speaker 1: and do not have to necessarily worry about that type 269 00:13:50,826 --> 00:13:54,706 Speaker 1: of stuff. So temperature controlled environment. I like the consistency, 270 00:13:54,826 --> 00:13:57,106 Speaker 1: but whether to me add and you know it because 271 00:13:57,186 --> 00:13:59,626 Speaker 1: you've braved the elements just reporting on a lot of 272 00:13:59,666 --> 00:14:02,306 Speaker 1: these games. That's a factor. And I know that those 273 00:14:02,346 --> 00:14:05,066 Speaker 1: conversations come up with players and coaches. Okay, so Mike, 274 00:14:05,146 --> 00:14:06,826 Speaker 1: we talk about this a lot. The a f C 275 00:14:06,946 --> 00:14:09,746 Speaker 1: North is my wheelhouse. I basically spend every Sunday this 276 00:14:09,866 --> 00:14:14,226 Speaker 1: time of year freezing every way possible. I burned myself 277 00:14:14,266 --> 00:14:17,066 Speaker 1: with handwarmers the other day, actually patching them on my 278 00:14:17,226 --> 00:14:19,546 Speaker 1: body everywhere. But in any case, that's a story for 279 00:14:19,626 --> 00:14:21,946 Speaker 1: another day. It's no secret that as much as I 280 00:14:22,106 --> 00:14:25,546 Speaker 1: may dislike the cold weather, it can indeed be incredibly 281 00:14:25,626 --> 00:14:29,066 Speaker 1: helpful for the teams that regularly play in cold weather. 282 00:14:29,306 --> 00:14:31,426 Speaker 1: It helps for people who are acclimated to it, like 283 00:14:31,746 --> 00:14:34,746 Speaker 1: fabulous kickers like our friend Justin Tucker, who was on 284 00:14:34,866 --> 00:14:37,186 Speaker 1: in one of our earlier episodes, of course, and who 285 00:14:37,266 --> 00:14:39,346 Speaker 1: has set the record for the longest field goal in 286 00:14:39,506 --> 00:14:43,786 Speaker 1: NFL history. He's constantly playing in these cold climates and 287 00:14:43,986 --> 00:14:47,586 Speaker 1: swirling winds, and he talks about how that has hardened 288 00:14:47,666 --> 00:14:51,866 Speaker 1: him or improved his ability to continue to do so. 289 00:14:52,386 --> 00:14:54,586 Speaker 1: So you have players like that at all sorts of 290 00:14:54,666 --> 00:14:57,146 Speaker 1: positions that are used to that. So let me give 291 00:14:57,186 --> 00:15:01,266 Speaker 1: you this. Since nineteen seventy, home teams playing outdoors when 292 00:15:01,306 --> 00:15:04,666 Speaker 1: the temperature was fifteen or below at kickoff have one 293 00:15:05,306 --> 00:15:09,186 Speaker 1: six d seven per cent of the games. If it's 294 00:15:09,266 --> 00:15:13,466 Speaker 1: at or below freezing, the home team wins sixty two 295 00:15:13,626 --> 00:15:18,746 Speaker 1: point five percent of the time. And if the temperature 296 00:15:18,866 --> 00:15:23,066 Speaker 1: is actually above thirty two degrees, well, then home teams 297 00:15:23,146 --> 00:15:25,346 Speaker 1: win at fifty seven point three percent, which is the 298 00:15:25,386 --> 00:15:28,426 Speaker 1: general range for home field advantage. So let's go to this. 299 00:15:28,546 --> 00:15:31,666 Speaker 1: How about this The Ravens, the Patriots, the Steelers, and 300 00:15:31,746 --> 00:15:34,266 Speaker 1: the Packers, four teams that play in four of the 301 00:15:34,426 --> 00:15:38,866 Speaker 1: coldest places that we have. Basically, I mean, obviously Buffalo 302 00:15:38,946 --> 00:15:40,866 Speaker 1: Cleveland have something to say about that. But these are 303 00:15:41,106 --> 00:15:45,146 Speaker 1: definitely four teams that very regularly play in sub forty 304 00:15:45,226 --> 00:15:50,066 Speaker 1: degree temperature. All four of them gain is significant advantage 305 00:15:50,666 --> 00:15:54,106 Speaker 1: when the weather is below forty degrees. Listen to this, 306 00:15:54,226 --> 00:15:58,986 Speaker 1: Since two thousand. The Ravens have won eighty five point 307 00:15:59,386 --> 00:16:03,266 Speaker 1: seven percent of their games in sub forty temperatures. The 308 00:16:03,426 --> 00:16:08,106 Speaker 1: Patriots have won eighties seven point eight percent of their 309 00:16:08,186 --> 00:16:12,346 Speaker 1: games in sub forty temperatures. The Steelers the Steelers seventy 310 00:16:12,386 --> 00:16:15,026 Speaker 1: eight point two percent, the Packers seventy eight point five. 311 00:16:15,666 --> 00:16:18,746 Speaker 1: I mean that that's really significant, Mike, It's huge. I mean, 312 00:16:18,826 --> 00:16:22,066 Speaker 1: just think about what it's like when you are used 313 00:16:22,106 --> 00:16:25,826 Speaker 1: to warm weather and you go to a cold environment, 314 00:16:25,906 --> 00:16:27,586 Speaker 1: like that's tough. I remember my first time because I 315 00:16:27,626 --> 00:16:29,666 Speaker 1: grew up in the Northeast, and my first time in 316 00:16:29,746 --> 00:16:32,306 Speaker 1: northern California and San Francisco. My first winter, I am 317 00:16:32,506 --> 00:16:36,586 Speaker 1: laughing at everyone on the streets bundled up in winter coats. 318 00:16:36,626 --> 00:16:38,386 Speaker 1: I'm wearing a hoodie and I'm thinking it's not even 319 00:16:38,506 --> 00:16:41,826 Speaker 1: because it's not that cold. Second winter in San Francisco, 320 00:16:41,946 --> 00:16:43,466 Speaker 1: I was just like everyone else. And by the way, 321 00:16:43,466 --> 00:16:45,026 Speaker 1: I was doing it in the summertime, because it actually 322 00:16:45,026 --> 00:16:47,266 Speaker 1: gets kind of cold in SF during the summer. But 323 00:16:47,386 --> 00:16:50,186 Speaker 1: the point is your body, I think, just adjust and 324 00:16:50,226 --> 00:16:52,706 Speaker 1: then all of a sudden, Yaska team that's not necessarily 325 00:16:52,786 --> 00:16:55,706 Speaker 1: used to those, you know, sub forty temperatures that you 326 00:16:55,786 --> 00:16:57,546 Speaker 1: know fans in Baltimore and the Ravens are used to 327 00:16:57,546 --> 00:16:59,226 Speaker 1: where the Patriots are used to, or any of those 328 00:16:59,546 --> 00:17:01,746 Speaker 1: environments that you just made reference to. And it's a 329 00:17:01,786 --> 00:17:04,626 Speaker 1: little bit of a problem. But earlier adity in the podcast, 330 00:17:04,666 --> 00:17:07,066 Speaker 1: you made reference to the the massive advantage that the 331 00:17:07,146 --> 00:17:09,386 Speaker 1: Broncos had. They were right behind the Ravens in terms 332 00:17:09,426 --> 00:17:11,906 Speaker 1: of winning at home. You and I initially speculated, Hey, 333 00:17:11,946 --> 00:17:14,346 Speaker 1: it's altitude. That's a problem. If anyone's trying to run 334 00:17:14,946 --> 00:17:17,186 Speaker 1: in Denver, that's not the easiest thing if you're not 335 00:17:17,466 --> 00:17:20,746 Speaker 1: used to running an elevation. But the Broncos and that 336 00:17:20,946 --> 00:17:23,586 Speaker 1: home versus wage disparity, you actually see something of pretty 337 00:17:23,586 --> 00:17:26,226 Speaker 1: interesting here. We're all aware Denver not only plays during 338 00:17:26,306 --> 00:17:29,186 Speaker 1: the cold winter months, but they also play at that 339 00:17:29,306 --> 00:17:33,146 Speaker 1: elevation that's really high. The combination of the altitude and 340 00:17:33,226 --> 00:17:36,066 Speaker 1: the weather actually affects teams more in the summer and 341 00:17:36,346 --> 00:17:39,346 Speaker 1: fall months or the earlier parts of the schedule. Check 342 00:17:39,386 --> 00:17:44,586 Speaker 1: this out. Between ninety eight and the Broncos won a 343 00:17:44,706 --> 00:17:49,786 Speaker 1: staggering seventy nine percent of its games in September at home. 344 00:17:50,386 --> 00:17:53,346 Speaker 1: Over that four decades span, there were forty three and 345 00:17:53,466 --> 00:17:58,346 Speaker 1: twelve that's seventy eight percent in home games over seventy degrees, 346 00:17:58,786 --> 00:18:01,346 Speaker 1: But when just sixty two of the games when the 347 00:18:01,386 --> 00:18:05,346 Speaker 1: temperature is under forty five degrees, that's definitely something that 348 00:18:05,386 --> 00:18:07,786 Speaker 1: I think a lot of us are a little surprised 349 00:18:07,786 --> 00:18:10,106 Speaker 1: about when we were going through some of those numbers. 350 00:18:10,226 --> 00:18:14,026 Speaker 1: Once again, the cold and the altitude seemingly less effective 351 00:18:14,106 --> 00:18:16,346 Speaker 1: than just the summer and fall months with some of 352 00:18:16,426 --> 00:18:19,066 Speaker 1: those altitude numbers that the players are having to deal with. 353 00:18:19,226 --> 00:18:21,586 Speaker 1: But Adity, you set the table real nice at the 354 00:18:21,586 --> 00:18:23,946 Speaker 1: start of this episode. When we come back on NFL Explain, 355 00:18:24,306 --> 00:18:27,986 Speaker 1: we'll talk about the all important human element with regard 356 00:18:28,106 --> 00:18:31,146 Speaker 1: to this topic. Is there a way to chemically explain 357 00:18:31,226 --> 00:18:34,506 Speaker 1: why teams might have a home field advantage? We got 358 00:18:34,546 --> 00:18:37,546 Speaker 1: the answers to those questions coming up next on NFL Explain. 359 00:18:40,506 --> 00:18:45,186 Speaker 1: This podcast is sponsored by Kindrel. Kindrel Designs builds, manages, 360 00:18:45,266 --> 00:18:48,826 Speaker 1: and modernizes the mission critical technology systems that the world 361 00:18:48,866 --> 00:18:52,306 Speaker 1: depends on every day. Working side by side with their customers, 362 00:18:52,386 --> 00:18:56,346 Speaker 1: they imagine things differently. By forging new strategic partnerships, they 363 00:18:56,466 --> 00:19:00,266 Speaker 1: unlock new possibilities, creating a world powered by healthy digital 364 00:19:00,346 --> 00:19:04,706 Speaker 1: systems alive with opportunity, oxygen to innovation and energy to 365 00:19:04,826 --> 00:19:09,546 Speaker 1: change the world. Kindrel the Heart of Progress. This podcast 366 00:19:09,666 --> 00:19:14,546 Speaker 1: is sponsored by Kendrell. Kendrell Designs, builds, manages, and modernizes 367 00:19:14,586 --> 00:19:17,746 Speaker 1: the mission critical technology systems that the world depends on 368 00:19:17,946 --> 00:19:21,066 Speaker 1: every day. Working side by side with their customers, they 369 00:19:21,146 --> 00:19:25,906 Speaker 1: imagine things differently. By forging new strategic partnerships, they unlock 370 00:19:25,986 --> 00:19:29,746 Speaker 1: new possibilities, creating a world powered by healthy digital systems, 371 00:19:29,826 --> 00:19:33,946 Speaker 1: alive with opportunity, oxygen to innovation and energy to change 372 00:19:33,986 --> 00:19:40,186 Speaker 1: the world. Kendrell The Heart of Progress. Welcome back to 373 00:19:40,306 --> 00:19:43,026 Speaker 1: NFL explained Mike, Amita dd kin kabwahla with you? And 374 00:19:43,306 --> 00:19:46,746 Speaker 1: what about the one person that's almost securedly getting booed 375 00:19:46,786 --> 00:19:49,466 Speaker 1: by the home team during the game. Indeed, you know 376 00:19:49,506 --> 00:19:52,546 Speaker 1: what I'm talking about. It's the officials NFL refs. We 377 00:19:52,626 --> 00:19:55,026 Speaker 1: know they do an extraordinary job trying to police what 378 00:19:55,346 --> 00:19:59,906 Speaker 1: is an incredibly intense, fast moving game and doing it live. Mike, 379 00:20:00,026 --> 00:20:03,026 Speaker 1: Let's not forget that piece, right, Everybody at home has 380 00:20:03,306 --> 00:20:07,306 Speaker 1: the benefit of these high definite camera feeds, and these 381 00:20:07,346 --> 00:20:09,066 Speaker 1: guys have to do it in a split second. So 382 00:20:09,146 --> 00:20:10,506 Speaker 1: let me say that all right, now that I cut 383 00:20:10,546 --> 00:20:13,026 Speaker 1: you off, keep going, no slow motion replay, they don't 384 00:20:13,106 --> 00:20:17,586 Speaker 1: have that advantage in well, everyone's got their biases and they, 385 00:20:17,746 --> 00:20:19,706 Speaker 1: of course succumb to a little bit of peer pressure 386 00:20:19,746 --> 00:20:21,866 Speaker 1: from the masses. Doesn't that make a little bit of 387 00:20:21,946 --> 00:20:23,946 Speaker 1: sense here? So what does the data say? Let's start 388 00:20:23,986 --> 00:20:27,786 Speaker 1: with the staff. Once the NFL instituted instant replay, home 389 00:20:27,906 --> 00:20:31,866 Speaker 1: team winning percentages dropped from fifty eight point five percent 390 00:20:31,986 --> 00:20:34,306 Speaker 1: to fifty six percent, So perhaps it acted like a 391 00:20:34,426 --> 00:20:36,826 Speaker 1: little bit of an alf on the shelf. For the rest, 392 00:20:36,946 --> 00:20:38,466 Speaker 1: it does make sense to me that that would have 393 00:20:38,466 --> 00:20:41,946 Speaker 1: happened with instant replay. Since nine seventy, road teams have 394 00:20:41,986 --> 00:20:45,626 Speaker 1: accounted for fifty one point four of all penalties, so 395 00:20:45,746 --> 00:20:49,506 Speaker 1: a slightly higher rate that has stayed relatively consistent in 396 00:20:49,626 --> 00:20:52,746 Speaker 1: each decade. That adds up to the road teams being 397 00:20:52,866 --> 00:20:56,786 Speaker 1: penalized for thirty thousand, eight hundred and sixty one yards 398 00:20:56,946 --> 00:21:00,346 Speaker 1: more than home teams, or just about the amount of 399 00:21:00,466 --> 00:21:02,786 Speaker 1: yards that Ryan Tannehill is actually thrown in his career. 400 00:21:03,146 --> 00:21:05,066 Speaker 1: But when we look at the delay of game, road 401 00:21:05,106 --> 00:21:07,946 Speaker 1: teams have a haunted for fifty seven point five percent 402 00:21:08,066 --> 00:21:10,946 Speaker 1: of all those penalties since two thousand one, so either 403 00:21:11,066 --> 00:21:15,386 Speaker 1: it's relatively a subjectivity issue on that particular call, or 404 00:21:15,586 --> 00:21:19,986 Speaker 1: maybe my guy fireman D actually has that the noise 405 00:21:20,066 --> 00:21:23,266 Speaker 1: that's rocking, that's actually becoming a factor in the games. 406 00:21:23,386 --> 00:21:25,466 Speaker 1: But a d D. Once again, you look at the 407 00:21:25,506 --> 00:21:28,266 Speaker 1: refs and the amount of screaming that's happening towards those guys, 408 00:21:28,466 --> 00:21:31,626 Speaker 1: I'm not surprised that maybe there's a little bit of 409 00:21:31,706 --> 00:21:33,386 Speaker 1: home cooking and the home team gets a little bit 410 00:21:33,426 --> 00:21:35,586 Speaker 1: of love. I will say this, I think that the 411 00:21:36,506 --> 00:21:40,626 Speaker 1: delay of game at fifty seven point five percent, that's interesting, 412 00:21:40,786 --> 00:21:43,586 Speaker 1: but just fifty one point four percent on all penalties 413 00:21:43,706 --> 00:21:47,586 Speaker 1: that differential for road teams versus home teams. That almost 414 00:21:47,586 --> 00:21:49,866 Speaker 1: feels like the margin of error to me, well two 415 00:21:49,866 --> 00:21:52,146 Speaker 1: and a half percent from a home team to the 416 00:21:52,306 --> 00:21:55,346 Speaker 1: road team overall, since since the replay to me, does 417 00:21:55,426 --> 00:21:57,706 Speaker 1: scream to that. And by the way, I'm not suggesting 418 00:21:57,706 --> 00:22:00,146 Speaker 1: that the referees are doing it intentionally. I think that 419 00:22:00,266 --> 00:22:03,186 Speaker 1: there is a subconscious factor there. I've talked to enough 420 00:22:03,226 --> 00:22:06,226 Speaker 1: coaches in multiple sports will all say this same thing. 421 00:22:06,866 --> 00:22:08,706 Speaker 1: They always feel like it's harder to get some of 422 00:22:08,786 --> 00:22:11,746 Speaker 1: those calls when they're on the road and easier at home. 423 00:22:12,026 --> 00:22:14,746 Speaker 1: And I just think when you have fans, and it 424 00:22:14,826 --> 00:22:16,866 Speaker 1: look depends on the sport, I guess, but when you 425 00:22:16,906 --> 00:22:19,226 Speaker 1: have fans in that noise, I think there's a little 426 00:22:19,226 --> 00:22:21,706 Speaker 1: bit of a factor that's there. All right, Michael, moving 427 00:22:21,946 --> 00:22:25,266 Speaker 1: on from the officials, how about we talk about something 428 00:22:25,346 --> 00:22:27,986 Speaker 1: else that maybe is a little bit more black and white, 429 00:22:28,106 --> 00:22:32,346 Speaker 1: and that is the visiting locker room. I will tell you, 430 00:22:33,426 --> 00:22:36,826 Speaker 1: as someone who has been in many, many, many locker rooms, 431 00:22:36,866 --> 00:22:39,106 Speaker 1: and who of course mrs being in locker rooms because 432 00:22:39,106 --> 00:22:41,386 Speaker 1: of the COVID pandemic and can't wait to get back, 433 00:22:41,746 --> 00:22:44,226 Speaker 1: the visiting locker room is always basically the size of 434 00:22:44,266 --> 00:22:49,626 Speaker 1: a thimble. Sometimes really wonder how you get every single 435 00:22:49,786 --> 00:22:53,986 Speaker 1: body in there, and even in brand new six billion 436 00:22:54,106 --> 00:22:58,666 Speaker 1: dollars so Fi Stadium. Mike Zimmer, one of my favorite 437 00:22:58,746 --> 00:23:02,946 Speaker 1: curmudgeon coaches, the Vikings head coach, called the visitors locker 438 00:23:03,066 --> 00:23:06,786 Speaker 1: room a mess and was because he couldn't get his 439 00:23:06,866 --> 00:23:10,866 Speaker 1: bull team in to have a meeting. Jared Allen once 440 00:23:10,906 --> 00:23:14,946 Speaker 1: called the visiting locker room at Arrowhead Stadium trash, and 441 00:23:15,026 --> 00:23:19,026 Speaker 1: he said that it rivaled some high school gyms. In NFL, 442 00:23:19,106 --> 00:23:23,786 Speaker 1: teams had to allow enough space for social distancing in 443 00:23:23,946 --> 00:23:28,546 Speaker 1: locker rooms, but that requirement was dropped in one and 444 00:23:28,866 --> 00:23:32,426 Speaker 1: so teams got to go back to their gamesmanship. I'm 445 00:23:32,466 --> 00:23:34,866 Speaker 1: with you there, d I'm actually not surprised by any 446 00:23:34,946 --> 00:23:37,466 Speaker 1: of this, especially given what happened between a couple of 447 00:23:37,586 --> 00:23:41,506 Speaker 1: rivals in the NFC East Washington and Dallas. Recently. Cowboys 448 00:23:41,546 --> 00:23:44,786 Speaker 1: played at Washington on December twelve, and the team actually 449 00:23:44,826 --> 00:23:47,146 Speaker 1: heard from the Seahawks. Gotta love this that the visiting 450 00:23:47,266 --> 00:23:51,506 Speaker 1: seat warmers at FedEx Field were quote unreliable, so they 451 00:23:51,586 --> 00:23:53,986 Speaker 1: had to have their own shipped in from Ohio. And 452 00:23:54,066 --> 00:23:56,826 Speaker 1: of course the branding is important, so the Cowboy logos 453 00:23:56,826 --> 00:23:58,746 Speaker 1: were all over it. But not to be outdone, the 454 00:23:58,786 --> 00:24:01,146 Speaker 1: football team actually brought its own benches to a T 455 00:24:01,306 --> 00:24:04,146 Speaker 1: and T stadium where they played at Dallas two weeks later. 456 00:24:04,466 --> 00:24:08,346 Speaker 1: I know what you're wondering. Yeah, indoors Washington, they did 457 00:24:08,466 --> 00:24:11,866 Speaker 1: all of it. It's temperature controlled in that environment, and 458 00:24:11,946 --> 00:24:15,026 Speaker 1: they got beat fifty six to fourteen. I didn't know. Adity. 459 00:24:15,106 --> 00:24:16,866 Speaker 1: We have laid out a lot of the reasons why 460 00:24:16,986 --> 00:24:20,986 Speaker 1: home field advantage can exist for some teams, Is there 461 00:24:21,386 --> 00:24:23,586 Speaker 1: one other factor that maybe we didn't get to because 462 00:24:23,626 --> 00:24:26,386 Speaker 1: for me, I think there's one thing that does sort 463 00:24:26,426 --> 00:24:28,626 Speaker 1: of stand out to me, and it's the amount of 464 00:24:29,266 --> 00:24:33,146 Speaker 1: metrics that we can now measure for individuals, whether it 465 00:24:33,346 --> 00:24:36,146 Speaker 1: is the nutrition and how you're able to track their intake, 466 00:24:36,226 --> 00:24:38,586 Speaker 1: their food intake. You know, we're always wearing kind of 467 00:24:38,626 --> 00:24:41,026 Speaker 1: our smart watches and understanding sort of like our top 468 00:24:41,106 --> 00:24:43,266 Speaker 1: speeds when we're out on the field, or you know, 469 00:24:43,346 --> 00:24:46,666 Speaker 1: how how much exertion you're actually emanating during practice or 470 00:24:46,706 --> 00:24:48,746 Speaker 1: in a game. I don't know. I think monitoring some 471 00:24:48,866 --> 00:24:51,546 Speaker 1: of this stuff also sort of levels potentially a playing 472 00:24:51,626 --> 00:24:53,466 Speaker 1: field for some of the road teams as they hit 473 00:24:53,506 --> 00:24:55,146 Speaker 1: the road. Sure, that could be part of it, but 474 00:24:55,186 --> 00:24:58,466 Speaker 1: I also think that so much of it is emotional 475 00:24:58,906 --> 00:25:01,706 Speaker 1: and kind of individual and and I'll give you a 476 00:25:01,746 --> 00:25:04,386 Speaker 1: perfect example and again go back to two a f 477 00:25:04,426 --> 00:25:06,026 Speaker 1: C North teams. But this is just be because I 478 00:25:06,186 --> 00:25:09,066 Speaker 1: just had this conversation with Bengal safety Von Bell last 479 00:25:09,106 --> 00:25:12,186 Speaker 1: week and the Bengals were sitting at seven and four, 480 00:25:12,666 --> 00:25:16,066 Speaker 1: and they had two consecutive home games and they lost 481 00:25:16,106 --> 00:25:18,266 Speaker 1: them both, and I was like, why do you seem 482 00:25:18,306 --> 00:25:20,226 Speaker 1: to play better on the road than you do at home? 483 00:25:20,666 --> 00:25:23,066 Speaker 1: And Von Bell says to me, I just love being 484 00:25:23,106 --> 00:25:26,386 Speaker 1: on the road, said, I love shutting up a road crowd. 485 00:25:26,786 --> 00:25:29,746 Speaker 1: I love that you know your family isn't there, You 486 00:25:29,866 --> 00:25:32,266 Speaker 1: have nothing to focus on. You go to the hotel 487 00:25:33,306 --> 00:25:34,946 Speaker 1: and you have the game, and that's it, and you're 488 00:25:34,946 --> 00:25:37,266 Speaker 1: not worried about getting anybody tickets, and you're not worried 489 00:25:37,306 --> 00:25:38,986 Speaker 1: about whether you have to pick your mom up at 490 00:25:38,986 --> 00:25:41,786 Speaker 1: the airport, and all of that is gone. It's just 491 00:25:42,266 --> 00:25:45,186 Speaker 1: being on the road. So I can appreciate that. But 492 00:25:45,266 --> 00:25:47,106 Speaker 1: then the flip side to that, Another guy that I 493 00:25:47,226 --> 00:25:50,106 Speaker 1: cover extremely regularly, have covered for his whole career, who 494 00:25:50,146 --> 00:25:53,146 Speaker 1: potentially could be Defensive Player of the Year this year, 495 00:25:53,266 --> 00:25:57,706 Speaker 1: t J Watt Mike, he is significantly better at home 496 00:25:58,066 --> 00:26:00,186 Speaker 1: than he is on the road. As of this moment 497 00:26:00,386 --> 00:26:04,106 Speaker 1: right now, thirty nine home games, he has forty six sacks. 498 00:26:04,706 --> 00:26:09,506 Speaker 1: Thirty six road game he's twenty one sacks, more than 499 00:26:09,786 --> 00:26:13,226 Speaker 1: double the sack number at home. And we've asked him 500 00:26:13,266 --> 00:26:18,026 Speaker 1: repeatedly why what is it about hines Field, And his 501 00:26:18,146 --> 00:26:22,226 Speaker 1: only answer is, I don't know. I just love hines Field. 502 00:26:22,426 --> 00:26:25,026 Speaker 1: I love being home, And who knows? Is it those 503 00:26:25,146 --> 00:26:27,546 Speaker 1: terrible towels, is it renegade? Is it the fact that 504 00:26:28,106 --> 00:26:29,866 Speaker 1: you know, he gets to drive his own car, is 505 00:26:29,906 --> 00:26:31,866 Speaker 1: opposed to going on a team bus. I don't know. 506 00:26:32,346 --> 00:26:33,586 Speaker 1: But you know what, let me go back to that 507 00:26:33,666 --> 00:26:36,626 Speaker 1: hotel thing really quickly, and I apologize about jumping around here. 508 00:26:37,066 --> 00:26:40,226 Speaker 1: All of our listeners may not know this. The home 509 00:26:40,346 --> 00:26:43,666 Speaker 1: team also stays in a hotel the night before the 510 00:26:43,746 --> 00:26:47,426 Speaker 1: game and also has to go through bed checks and 511 00:26:47,626 --> 00:26:50,466 Speaker 1: also as somebody knocking on their door to make sure 512 00:26:50,546 --> 00:26:52,946 Speaker 1: that they're curfew and that there's nobody in their room 513 00:26:53,026 --> 00:26:56,186 Speaker 1: that's supposed to be in their room. But the differences 514 00:26:56,666 --> 00:26:58,666 Speaker 1: when you are a road team, you get on the 515 00:26:58,746 --> 00:27:01,306 Speaker 1: plane at you know, maybe one o'clock, you fly to 516 00:27:01,386 --> 00:27:03,986 Speaker 1: where you're going, You go to the hotel, and you 517 00:27:04,066 --> 00:27:06,906 Speaker 1: have your meetings and that's it. When you are the 518 00:27:07,066 --> 00:27:09,666 Speaker 1: home team, you might do your morning walk through and 519 00:27:09,706 --> 00:27:12,866 Speaker 1: then you're free the whole afternoon, and then you might 520 00:27:12,946 --> 00:27:14,986 Speaker 1: have an evening meeting and then you know, you might 521 00:27:15,066 --> 00:27:16,346 Speaker 1: have an hour break and then you have to show 522 00:27:16,386 --> 00:27:19,786 Speaker 1: up at the hotel. So yes, you do stay in 523 00:27:19,866 --> 00:27:22,386 Speaker 1: a hotel at home, but it's not quite the same 524 00:27:22,826 --> 00:27:28,146 Speaker 1: sort of isolation as when you are at home. That's fair. Look, 525 00:27:28,226 --> 00:27:30,066 Speaker 1: we're also knocking on the door a d D to 526 00:27:30,386 --> 00:27:34,786 Speaker 1: the playoffs, which are right around the corner of the Yeah, 527 00:27:34,906 --> 00:27:36,466 Speaker 1: like some of the stats that we've thrown out there, 528 00:27:36,546 --> 00:27:39,626 Speaker 1: I'm curious, you know where we sit with home field 529 00:27:39,626 --> 00:27:43,906 Speaker 1: advantage when the postseason comes around. Well, since nineteen seventy, Mike, 530 00:27:44,106 --> 00:27:48,146 Speaker 1: home teams have had a sixty six point nine percent 531 00:27:48,706 --> 00:27:53,426 Speaker 1: win percentage in playoff games. Now, to be fair, it's 532 00:27:53,506 --> 00:27:55,906 Speaker 1: usually the higher seeded team team that's the one that's 533 00:27:55,946 --> 00:27:58,306 Speaker 1: playing at home, and so in theory are probably the 534 00:27:58,386 --> 00:28:03,626 Speaker 1: better team. But home field has yielded a fifty nine 535 00:28:03,706 --> 00:28:06,746 Speaker 1: point eight percent advantage in wild games where teams are 536 00:28:06,946 --> 00:28:10,866 Speaker 1: allegedly ostensibly evenly matched. Still, that is one of those 537 00:28:10,866 --> 00:28:13,066 Speaker 1: things where you know, the crowd and the home cooking 538 00:28:13,146 --> 00:28:16,706 Speaker 1: and the familiarity and all of that could be coming 539 00:28:16,706 --> 00:28:19,666 Speaker 1: into play. Yeah. Yeah, It's just something that I think 540 00:28:19,706 --> 00:28:22,066 Speaker 1: people should be mindful of as these postseasons, which should 541 00:28:22,066 --> 00:28:24,586 Speaker 1: be epic, that are right around the corner, just to 542 00:28:24,706 --> 00:28:26,266 Speaker 1: have that in the back of your mind as you're 543 00:28:26,306 --> 00:28:29,586 Speaker 1: thinking about who potentially could have an advantage. One other 544 00:28:29,666 --> 00:28:31,706 Speaker 1: thing that comes from the world of science of deity, 545 00:28:31,786 --> 00:28:34,946 Speaker 1: which we found fascinating. There is a study done by 546 00:28:35,066 --> 00:28:39,266 Speaker 1: Canadian researchers Oh Canada Handling Business for US, presented at 547 00:28:39,306 --> 00:28:43,746 Speaker 1: the International Congress of neuro Endo Chronology. Yes, that's actually 548 00:28:43,826 --> 00:28:47,986 Speaker 1: a thing, really interesting finding regarding home field advantage. They 549 00:28:48,066 --> 00:28:50,346 Speaker 1: followed not a football team because it's Canada, or I like, 550 00:28:50,386 --> 00:28:52,226 Speaker 1: there's a hockey team because that's kind of what they 551 00:28:52,306 --> 00:28:54,666 Speaker 1: do up there for an entire season. They tracked this 552 00:28:54,746 --> 00:28:59,106 Speaker 1: hockey team swabbing the players saliva before and after games. No, 553 00:28:59,186 --> 00:29:02,306 Speaker 1: it wasn't a COVID test. This is something different. Testosterone 554 00:29:02,426 --> 00:29:07,786 Speaker 1: levels higher before home games in addition to stress hormone cortisol. 555 00:29:08,026 --> 00:29:12,306 Speaker 1: Researchers claimed that this points towards the primal instinct of 556 00:29:12,426 --> 00:29:16,466 Speaker 1: defending one's territory. Come on, I love that. Well yeah, 557 00:29:16,506 --> 00:29:17,946 Speaker 1: I mean, isn't that what they always say? We have 558 00:29:18,026 --> 00:29:20,706 Speaker 1: to protect our home, protect our home. Football coaches say 559 00:29:20,746 --> 00:29:22,786 Speaker 1: that all the time, players say that all the time. 560 00:29:23,146 --> 00:29:25,506 Speaker 1: It seems to make sense. I think that the stress 561 00:29:25,586 --> 00:29:28,546 Speaker 1: court is the stress hormone cortisol being higher to is 562 00:29:28,586 --> 00:29:31,146 Speaker 1: probably because there's a little bit more pressure to perform 563 00:29:31,626 --> 00:29:33,866 Speaker 1: for your home fans. You definitely don't want your home 564 00:29:33,986 --> 00:29:37,106 Speaker 1: fans doing you. And if you have family, then you're 565 00:29:37,186 --> 00:29:39,546 Speaker 1: performing for your family as well, and there's something more 566 00:29:39,546 --> 00:29:42,226 Speaker 1: immediate and having them present than just watching you on TV. No, 567 00:29:42,306 --> 00:29:43,826 Speaker 1: I'm with you. Would love to hear what you guys 568 00:29:43,906 --> 00:29:45,866 Speaker 1: think as you continue to listen to these episodes, and 569 00:29:45,946 --> 00:29:48,346 Speaker 1: we keep getting really good questions the d D and 570 00:29:48,386 --> 00:29:51,506 Speaker 1: I am tracking them and compiling the list. I know 571 00:29:51,586 --> 00:29:53,626 Speaker 1: we get some good feedback on the mail bag episodes, 572 00:29:53,666 --> 00:29:55,386 Speaker 1: So if you have some questions, you can find us 573 00:29:55,506 --> 00:29:58,666 Speaker 1: on Twitter at a King Kaballa at Mike Underscore yem. 574 00:29:58,746 --> 00:30:03,266 Speaker 1: You can always use the hashtag NFL explained um A 575 00:30:03,346 --> 00:30:05,106 Speaker 1: d D would also like to hear from some of 576 00:30:05,146 --> 00:30:07,666 Speaker 1: our fans if I think home field advantage is an 577 00:30:07,706 --> 00:30:12,186 Speaker 1: actual thing once again, use the hashtag NFL. Not only that, 578 00:30:12,306 --> 00:30:14,706 Speaker 1: but also who they think has the best home field 579 00:30:14,706 --> 00:30:19,466 Speaker 1: advantage or what is the best home field environment? You know, 580 00:30:19,586 --> 00:30:21,906 Speaker 1: because I will say, I'll go back to this, the 581 00:30:21,986 --> 00:30:25,546 Speaker 1: Dog Pound in Cleveland. Those people are unbelievable. They're amazing. 582 00:30:25,826 --> 00:30:28,826 Speaker 1: And last year when I was there when they beat 583 00:30:28,866 --> 00:30:30,506 Speaker 1: the Steelers at the end of the season and clinched 584 00:30:30,546 --> 00:30:33,226 Speaker 1: their first playoff burthen forever and there were people crying 585 00:30:33,426 --> 00:30:36,666 Speaker 1: in the stands. I mean, that's how move they were, 586 00:30:36,946 --> 00:30:41,346 Speaker 1: but but it hasn't really helped the players for a 587 00:30:41,426 --> 00:30:44,266 Speaker 1: long time prior to these last two seasons. Let's not 588 00:30:44,386 --> 00:30:46,866 Speaker 1: talk about that, but you think about it. So that's 589 00:30:46,906 --> 00:30:50,346 Speaker 1: a fan base that's tremendous, that's an environment that's amazing, 590 00:30:50,866 --> 00:30:52,986 Speaker 1: but sadly, for a long time, the team that was 591 00:30:53,066 --> 00:30:56,586 Speaker 1: fielded wasn't really that great. And so you know, there 592 00:30:56,706 --> 00:30:58,866 Speaker 1: is a little of a I don't want to call 593 00:30:58,906 --> 00:31:00,626 Speaker 1: it a chicken and egg because it's not, but this 594 00:31:00,826 --> 00:31:02,826 Speaker 1: is what sort of affects those numbers, which is what 595 00:31:02,906 --> 00:31:04,706 Speaker 1: we said at the top. You know, the Steelers, they 596 00:31:04,786 --> 00:31:07,106 Speaker 1: have an amazing environment, man, And just this week Mike 597 00:31:07,146 --> 00:31:09,386 Speaker 1: Tomlin was talking about how much he loves Stealer Nation 598 00:31:09,426 --> 00:31:12,506 Speaker 1: and needs Steeler Nation Monday Night against the Browns. Sure, 599 00:31:12,666 --> 00:31:15,066 Speaker 1: but part of Stealer Nation being what it is is 600 00:31:15,106 --> 00:31:17,026 Speaker 1: because the Steelers have given them so much to cheer. 601 00:31:17,266 --> 00:31:19,266 Speaker 1: Um with you. There a d D. And I think 602 00:31:19,306 --> 00:31:22,026 Speaker 1: the main takeaway is that there's definitely been a decline 603 00:31:22,066 --> 00:31:24,826 Speaker 1: in home field advantage, which we actually see sports books 604 00:31:24,946 --> 00:31:27,946 Speaker 1: acting on most experts, they're atributing it to not only 605 00:31:27,986 --> 00:31:31,506 Speaker 1: the improvements in sports science, but also travel for away teams. 606 00:31:31,946 --> 00:31:34,266 Speaker 1: It's actually a little easier for opposing fans to get 607 00:31:34,306 --> 00:31:36,106 Speaker 1: to some of those away games as well, and it 608 00:31:36,146 --> 00:31:38,266 Speaker 1: will be awesome to see how some of this stuff 609 00:31:38,306 --> 00:31:41,346 Speaker 1: plays out in the postseason. Um. Once again, you can 610 00:31:41,386 --> 00:31:44,106 Speaker 1: find us on social media. Continue to fire off those questions. 611 00:31:44,146 --> 00:31:47,146 Speaker 1: Add always fun to go through some of these topics 612 00:31:47,226 --> 00:31:49,866 Speaker 1: with you, always, always, and thank you all for listening. 613 00:31:50,106 --> 00:32:00,906 Speaker 1: That was home Field Advantage explained. 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