Empty dome or not, the Saints have to prove they can show up for a big home game

Forget about no fans in the stands due to COVID-19 concerns.

Even with crazed Who Dats dressed to the nines occupying every seat inside an electrified Mercedes-Benz Superdome, the New Orleans Saints have struggled to win their home opener since 2013.

Which is to say the Black and Gold were going to have their hands full anyway against the revamped, remodeled and rejuvenated Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the afternoon of Sept. 13 (3:25 p.m., Fox) before Saints officials ultimately determined it was better to be safe than sorry.

Consider:

Until kicker Wil Lutz drilled a walk-off 58-yard field goal to overtake the upset-minded Houston Texans 30-28 on a national stage last season the Saints had lost five consecutive home openers, including games to the Buccaneers in 2015 (26-19) and 2018 (48-40).

Now add quarterback Tom Brady (The G.O.A.T.) and tight end Rob Gronkowski (The G.O.A.T. — T.E.) to the mix and an empty Superdome should be the least of the Saints’ problems.

No ifs, ands or butts about it!

Need I also remind Who Dats that their beloved heroes also have lost their last two playoff games in the ‘dome located at the corner of Worshipful & Devoted, both excruciatingly painful and disturbingly controversial walk-off losses to the Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Rams.

I’ve struggled mightily trying to understand why the Saints have encountered problems in their home openers recently, especially since I consider Coach Sean Payton usually is at his best when given weeks to game-plan for an opponent.

Which is the case now when Payton has had months — albeit a strange, virtual-driven off-season and unprecedented start to training camp because of the deadly pandemic — to devise ways to beat the Bucs.

Because of the health concerns surrounding this season, the early games have taken on added importance. Early losses could be impossible to overcome, especially say in a 10- or 12-game regular season. Coaches always stress the need to approach the 17-week season as a marathon and not a sprint. But the pandemic has made this a series of one-game seasons largely because the league might be faced with canceling parts of the schedule if COVID-19 (combined with the annual flu season) rears its ugly head.

As of today, it appears the Saints will play in front of empty stadiums through the month of September — at home in Weeks 1 and 3 against Tampa Bay and Green Bay Packers (7:20 p.m., NBC, Sept. 27) and at the Las Vegas Raiders to open their new $1.9 billion Allegiant Stadium in Week 2 (7:15 p.m., ESPN, Sept. 21).

Whether fans are allowed to attend games inside the Superdome at scheduled home games in October, November and December remains to be seen.

With the start of padded practices this week, the Saints should only have eyes for Tampa Bay 25 days from now.

PROJECTED NFC SOUTH SEATING CAPACITY

Atlanta — Fans are prohibited from attending games through September. Team officials will make a decision on later games with capacity not exceeding 20,000 if fans are allowed.

Carolina — No official statement from team officials but capacity likely will not exceed 20,000 if fans are allowed.

New Orleans — No fans for Game 1 against Tampa Bay and probably for a Week 3 home game against Green Bay. Team will make a decision on future home games, though a reduced capacity is expected.

Tampa Bay — No official statement yet but team officials are expected to operate at reduced capacity.