The Minnesota Vikings are on a quest for the coveted No. 1 seed in the NFC, and Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions will be a pivotal showdown to determine who claims home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. But if you thought this game was important, recent insights from an NFL player poll conducted by ESPN show that its significance just went up a notch.

The poll, which surveyed 111 current NFL players, asked which stadiums in the league have the greatest home-field advantage. While the Kansas City Chiefs’ Arrowhead Stadium and the Seattle Seahawks’ Lumen Field clinched the top two spots, the Vikings finished third on the list, making U.S. Bank Stadium one of the most intimidating environments in the NFL. In fact, the Vikings were placed in the top tier of stadiums that are so challenging to play in that they “can leave you scarred,” according to the players.

The results of the poll show just how much respect the Vikings’ home field commands. The Chiefs, who came in at No. 1 with 57 points, and the Seahawks, who finished second with 41.5 points, were no surprise to anyone familiar with their electric home atmospheres. But the Vikings, with 28.5 points, were a clear standout, finishing 10 points ahead of the fourth-place Philadelphia Eagles (18.5 points).

Notable players who recognized the Vikings’ intimidating atmosphere include New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton. Slayton shared how overwhelming the experience at U.S. Bank Stadium felt, noting, “You feel it. As soon as you’re in there, everything is purple. You feel like you’re out of place there. That is what a good atmosphere does. It makes you feel like you’re in the wrong place. If you’re in a different color, you feel like you don’t belong there.” Slayton’s words highlight how the energy of the crowd and the dominance of the stadium’s design can create an almost surreal experience for visiting players.

Fred Warner, linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers, echoed a similar sentiment, stating that the atmosphere at U.S. Bank Stadium forced him to reconsider his entire approach to game day. “They made me think differently about how I approach just being on the sideline. Just staying focused on the game and not everything else.” Warner’s comments underscore the psychological effect that a strong home-field advantage can have on opposing players, forcing them to dig deeper into their concentration just to stay in the moment.

One particularly vivid account came from an anonymous player from the Houston Texans, who admitted that he was “scarred” by hearing the SKOL chant early and often during their game at U.S. Bank Stadium. While the player chose to remain anonymous, it’s possible that this comment came from offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil, who was flagged for six penalties in the Texans’ 34-7 loss to the Vikings in Minneapolis last September. Whether it was Tunsil or another player, the impact of the stadium’s atmosphere is unmistakable, and it clearly left a lasting impression on the visiting team.

The Vikings’ need for home-field advantage in the playoffs has never been more apparent. While fans have long touted U.S. Bank Stadium as one of the loudest venues in the NFL, it’s another thing entirely when opposing players publicly acknowledge just how tough it is to play there. With such a substantial edge, the Vikings are undoubtedly eager to secure home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, something they haven’t experienced since 1998.

Securing the top seed is not just about the comfort of playing in familiar surroundings; it’s a key factor in the Vikings’ pursuit of their first Super Bowl appearance since 1977. However, if the Vikings lose to the Lions on Sunday, they risk dropping to the fifth seed in the NFC and losing the chance to host playoff games at U.S. Bank Stadium. In that case, their path to the Super Bowl would become significantly more challenging.

With everything on the line, Sunday’s game against the Lions takes on even greater importance. The outcome could determine whether the Vikings get the advantage of playing at home throughout the playoffs, giving them a crucial edge as they strive for a Super Bowl appearance for the first time in decades. The pressure is on, and the stakes couldn’t be higher for this thrilling NFC showdown.