November 24, 2015
Since the start of the season there’s been anticipation surrounding the Week 12 matchup between the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots. Each year a Peyton Manning vs Tom Brady matchup sparks excitement. This year’s game brought even more attention because of the possibility it could be the last meeting between these two all-time great quarterbacks. Everyone was waiting for this matchup, enough so that NBC flexed it to be the Sunday Night Football game rather than a late afternoon start.
But this quarterback matchup won’t happen.
Manning was pulled from Denver’s 29-13 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 10 and it was announced shortly after the quarterback had been playing with a torn plantar fascia and he would need some time to recover. Brock Osweiler replaced Manning in Week 10 and then started in Week 11 against the Chicago Bears on the road. Osweiler was largely mistake free during the game and helped the Broncos to a 17-15 victory. After the game it was unknown whether Manning or Osweiler would get the start against the Patriots in Week 12, but it was announced on Monday that Osweiler again would be under center.
That has led to a drastic drop in the average ticket price for the game on the secondary market.
The current average price for Broncos vs Patriots tickets is $474.49. While that’s still the leading price for any game in the NFL in Week 12, it’s dropped 43% over the past three weeks. This game peaked at an average price of $832.51 on the Sunday of Week 8. The Manning-led Broncos lost to the Indianapolis Colts that afternoon and the price started to dip. The biggest drop came following the Chiefs game with the Manning part of the Manning-Brady duel becoming a question mark.
This week’s get-in price is currently $189, but that was up to $336 at its peak. That would be more expensive than all but two average prices in the NFL this week.
It’s quite clear, at least by ticket demand, Broncos fans would rather see Manning taking snaps for the Broncos this week, especially against Brady and the Patriots. If we do get another Manning-Brady duel, one that would make it the 17th overall between the two including playoffs, it would have to wait at least until this year’s postseason and due to the difference in record, would more than likely be played in Foxborough.
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