The Detroit Lions reportedly complained to the NFL about a genius tactic the Minnesota Vikings pulled off ahead of Sunday’s clash for the NFC North division crown.
Dan Campbell’s 14-2 Detroit Lions will host the 14-2 Minnesota Vikings in the final game of the 2024 regular season. The winner will secure the division title, the NFC’s top seed and lone first-round bye, while the loser will have to go on the road to begin the postseason.
Though the game takes place at Ford Field in Detroit on ‘Sunday Night Football’, the Vikings pulled off a genius ploy to lessen the Lions’ home advantage.
According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, the Vikings spent almost $2 million on tickets that were available via the secondary market and offered those to their season ticket holders:
“In the days leading up to Sunday night’s showdown against the Detroit Lions, the Vikings took the unusual measure of buying around 1,900 tickets for the road game on the secondary market, at about $1,000 apiece, for a total approaching $2 million. The team then turned around and sent an email to season ticket holders, offering the opportunity to buy the tickets at a much lower price point, and in some cases for as little as $200 per ticket.”
Here’s where it gets more interesting: According to Breer, the unhappy Detroit Lions complained about the move to the NFL, only to be told that the Vikings violated zero rules here:
“The rival Lions flagged it, with the team’s ticket office noticing the unusual activity, then finding out about the email. The email said, “As a valued season ticket member, we want to offer you the opportunity to purchase lower-level seats for Sunday night’s game.” The tickets were available on a first-come-first-serve basis, and the team added in the email that they were “intended to be used by Vikings fans and not positioned for resale.”
The Lions contacted the league office about it and were told, per sources, that the Vikings didn’t break any rules in the process of pulling this off.”
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Breer added that the seats the Vikings purchased are placed “behind the visiting team bench area.” That’s significant because as Breer notes, it’ll make it easier for Kevin O’Connell’s group to communicate through the crowd noise.
Also Read: Is The Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions Finale The Greatest Game In NFL Regular Season History?
The Detroit Lions defeated the Minnesota Vikings 31-29 back in Oct. 7, marking Minnesota’s only home loss this year. Though Detroit is 14-2, both of their losses have come at Ford Field (vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Buffalo Bills).
Plenty At Stake For Detroit Lions & Minnesota Vikings
The 1999 Tennessee Titans still hold the record for the best regular season performance by a wild card team, going 13-3 en route to a Super Bowl 34 appearance. So whoever loses between Detroit and Minnesota will have the misfortunes of being the best wild card team ever.
While the loser will presumably need three road wins to reach the Super Bowl, the victor will require only two W’s at home. Indeed, there’s plenty at stake.
Also Read: REPORT: New Front-Runner Emerges To Land Detroit Lions OC Ben Johnson As Their Next Head Coach
