During a typical season, NFL teams dedicate a portion of their week ahead of road games planning how to combat noise. They simulate it in practice, with sound systems blaring loud music, while devising hand signals and silent counts to counter the inability to clearly communicate verbally.
This year, one where the COVID-19 pandemic has locked fans out of the majority of stadiums, and even in the instances where a small capacity percentage are allowed through the gates, the bigger issue for NFL teams is the absence of the traditional sounds of game day.
Sure, there's the ambient hum of league-approved crowd noise, modestly capped at 70 decibels, but that does little to conceal communication from the sidelines that isn't used to being heard.