Ticket prices go up for Packers games against Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings as playoff hopes linger
There is something to be said for getting everything you want for Christmas. For Packers fans, that something is this: If you don't already have tickets to the Vikings game on Sunday, it's going to cost you more.
The average of lowest-priced tickets for that game, determined by checking 10 secondary market sites, was $160 on Tuesday, up from $134 last week. The cheapest cheap ticket was $100; the highest was $209.
As to getting everything they wanted, the Packers defeated Miami on Christmas Day to keep their playoff hopes alive, and every team they needed to lose did, including Detroit, Seattle, the New York Giants and Washington.
According to the New York Times' handy playoff calculator, the Packers chance of making the playoffs increased from 8% to 30%. Green Bay, which is 7-8, must win out to have any chance of getting a wild card berth, but even if their two most-concerning rivals ― the Giants and Commanders — win this weekend, the Packers chances rise to 36% with a win over the Vikings.
Minnesota defeated the Packers 23-7 in the season opener in Minneapolis. The Packers will not have the benefit of frozen tundra on Sunday. The forecast is for a high of 36, and the Vikings have been the most difficult opponent in Matt LaFleur's four years as head coach. His record against Minnesota is 4-3, although he is 2-1 at Lambeau Field.
Minnesota is 12-3 and still has a shot at first seed in the playoffs, so the Vikings won't take Sunday off. Although, successful as they've been, the Vikings have had a most precarious season. They set an NFL record by winning 11 one-score games this season. They've outscored their opponents by a mere five points, and their last two wins have been three-point nail-biters, including beating the Giants on a 61-yard last play field goal on Sunday.
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The Giants play the Indianapolis Colts, so something akin to another Christmas miracle will be needed there, but the Commanders play the Cleveland Browns, which could go either way. The Commanders game is the more important one. A Browns victory would push the Packers chances going into the final weekend to 59%, which would, no doubt, push tickets prices for the Detroit game higher.
For the first time this year, the average of cheapest tickets for the Lions game on Jan. 7 or 8, hit triple digits, coming in at $100. It was $64 last week and $50 two weeks ago. When the NFL announces the schedule for the final weekend, which it is expected to do after this weekend's games, ticket buyers will have an actual target.
Until Sunday, the Lions had won six of seven games and impressed with their high-scoring offense. On Sunday, though, the Lions got pasted by the Carolina Panthers, whose own playoff hopes aren't dead. Although they are 6-9, the Panthers could yet win the NFC South, where Tampa Bay is limping along in the lead with a 7-8 record. The Panthers and Buccaneers play Sunday.
As to the Lions, who defeated the Packers 15-9 on Nov. 6, they play the Chicago Bears this week. The Bears are 3-12 and on an eight-game losing streak, having lost to Buffalo on Saturday.
Ticket prices
The following are secondary market ticket prices as of Monday.
For our look at Packers' tickets prices, we averaged the lowest ticket prices at 10 secondary market websites: Event USA, Gametime, Green Bay Ticket Service, SeatGeek, StubHub, TicketIQ, Ticketmaster, TickPick, Ticket King and Vivid Seats.
Note that ticket marketplaces can add fees on top of listed prices, so actual costs might be higher.
Some websites offer standing-room-only tickets for Packers home games. The Packers have designated these tickets as "not available for resale," so buyers proceed at their own risk. If the ticket does not scan as valid, fans won't be admitted to the stadium, and their recourse for a refund is to contact the seller of the ticket.
Jan. 1, 3:25 p.m., Minnesota Vikings, Lambeau Field, CBS
Face-price range: $123-$156
Average lowest-cost seats: $160
Range of lowest-cost seats: $120-$209
Jan. 7 or Jan. 8, time to be determined, Detroit Lions, Lambeau Field, network to be determined
Face-price range: $123-$156
Average lowest-cost seats: $100
Range of lowest-cost seats: $70-$109
Contact Richard Ryman at rryman@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @RichRymanPG, on Instagram at @rrymanPG or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RichardRymanPG/.
This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Ticket prices go up for last two Packers games against Lions, Vikings
