December 30, 2014
Wildcard Weekend will feature four compelling match-ups with the winners taking one step closer to representing their respective conference in the Super Bowl. Saturday’s slate of games will include a defensive slugfests as the Carolina Panthers (7-8-1) will host the Arizona Cardinals (11-5) and the Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5) will host the Baltimore Ravens (10-6). Sunday’s slate of games will include a match-up between two good young quarterbacks as the Indianapolis Colts (11-5) host the Cincinnati Bengals (10-5-1). Wildcard Weekend will culminate with an exciting match-up as the Dallas Cowboys (12-4) host the Detroit Lions (11-5). Fans wishing to attend Wildcard Weekend games should expect to above average ticket prices, relative to prices paid during the regular season.
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While a match-up between the Carolina Panthers and the Arizona Cardinals doesn't seem compelling, Carolina has been one of the NFL’s hottest teams. Carolina’s dynamic backfield, which is comprised of quarterback Cam Newton and running back Jonathan Stewart, has been the catalyst for Carolina’s offense. Currently, the average secondary price for Panthers vs Cardinals tickets is $199 while the get-in price is $70. These ticket prices are the second lowest among the four Wildcard playoff games. Newton has played in three of Carolina’s last four games, rushing for at least 50 yards and one touchdown in each game. Arizona’s offense does not boast many playmakers, but expect wide receivers Larry Fitzgerald and Michael Floyd to receive a majority of the touches.
Over the last decade, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens have had one of the NFL’s best rivalries. Fans have grown accustomed to physical play as these rivals both have Super Bowl pedigrees. On offense, Baltimore’s offensive line must give quarterback Joe Flacco time to find open receivers while its defensive end needs to find an answer against the Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger. Given the nature of this rivalry, fans can expect to pay above average team ticket prices for this playoff showdown. The average price for Steelers vs Ravens tickets is $274.72 and get-in price starts at $110. These ticket prices are the second highest among the four Wildcard playoff games but not as expensive as Pittsburgh’s last home playoff game against Baltimore in 2011. The average ticket price for this year’s match-up is 18.6% cheaper than their match-up three years ago, which saw an average secondary price of $337.70.
Wildcard Sunday will begin with a match-up between the Indianapolis Colts and Cincinnati Bengals. Quarterback Andrew Luck took another step forward this season, finishing third in passing yards (4,761) and first in passing touchdowns (40). Indianapolis’s offense has struggled recently, totaling 300 yards or more only once in its last three games. Indianapolis did defeat Cincinnati earlier this season, 27-0 at Lucas Oil Stadium. Ticket prices for this match-up will be the lowest among Wild Card games this weekend, with Colts vs Bengals tickets averaging at $155.20 and get-in price starting at $58 on the secondary market.
The last game of Wildcard Weekend will pit the Dallas’s ferocious rushing attack against the Detroit’s top ranked run defense. Running back DeMarco Murray and Dallas’s young offense line have been the toast of the NFL. Murray led the NFL in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns while Dallas’s offensive line will send three players to the Pro Bowl. Wide receiver Dez Bryant led the NFL with 16 touchdown receptions. Detroit must slow down Dallas’s rushing attack to give its offense time to work against Dallas’s burnable secondary. Fans can expect to pay top ticket prices for this match-up. The average price for Cowboys vs Lions tickets is currently $362.12 on the secondary market and get-in price is $126, which will be the most expensive prices for a Wild Card game this weekend.
