<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Check out Sunday's updated forecast in Green Bay for yourself. I can't.... <a class="hashtag" action="hash" title="#Packers">#Packers</a> <a class="hashtag" action="hash" title="#49ers">#49ers</a> <a href="http://t.co/tA3IHPCMUx" title="http://twitter.com/SeifertESPN/status/419098258448080896/photo/1">pic.twitter.com/tA3IHPCMUx</a></p>— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) <a href="https://twitter.com/SeifertESPN/status/419098258448080896" data-datetime="2014-01-03T13:29:45+00:00">January 3, 2014</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Well, we'd know what the reaction to this would be if this was happening in MLB or, to a lesser extent probably, NBA playoffs. "The sport is dying!!" It's truly unbelievable that 75% of the games this weekend may not sell out.
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-s...n-bay-might-colder-famous-162822412--nfl.html The "Ice Bowl," one of the most iconic games in NFL history, had a wind chill of minus-48 degrees. It's almost inhuman to play football in that weather. And Sunday's game at Green Bay might be even colder than that. According to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, the bad forecast for Green Bay's game against the 49ers got worse. According to AccuWeather, the high will be minus-five degrees, the low will be minus-20 and the wind chill will be ... MINUS-51 DEGREES. No wonder Green Bay was having trouble selling out this game. The "Ice Bowl" is the coldest game in NFL history, at minus-13 degrees. The coldest game in NFL history in terms of wind chill was the Chargers-Bengals AFC title game in January of 1982, at 59 degrees below zero. This game has a chance to threaten both of those records. The second-coldest game in Lambeau Field history was the NFC championship game against the Giants at the end of the 2007 season, at minus-one degree. That mark is definitely in danger. In games like this, some players think it makes them tough to dress in short sleeves, which doesn't make a lot of sense. Everyone knows they're cold. Tight end Ryan Taylor won't be one of those players. "I don't really subscribe to 'the less clothes I have on the tougher I am,'" Taylor told the Journal-Sentinel. "The guys who think they're the toughest guys in the world go out wearing no sleeves. It doesn't make any sense. Being cold doesn't make you tough. It makes you stupid." The funny thing is, the 49ers seem to be a better fit for those conditions than the Packers. The 49ers are a power-running team that was third in the NFL in rushing yards per game, and one of only four teams to have 500 rushing attempts this season. The Packers were more balanced this season with rookie running back Eddie Lacy, but they'd still prefer to spread the field and pass the ball with Aaron Rodgers. It won't be easy to pass with the ball frozen solid. Rodgers was born in Chico, Calif. 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick was born in Milwaukee, Wis. In many ways, the 49ers look like the NFC North team in this game. But it might not matter much. Neither team will function normally in weather that extreme. Both teams are going to be miserable for a game that might knock the "Ice Bowl" out of the record books.
Can anyone make any sense of this?? Cincy, Indy, and Green Bay unable to sell out a playoff game?! I'm assuming these teams all sold out their regular season games--how in the world are the fans suddenly disinterested in wild card weekend? I see the weather reason has been floated, but that seems to be a thing of pride among northerners anyway... and that does nothing to explain the situation for indoor stadium-ed Indianapolis!
First of all, most NFL teams have a large enough season ticket base where the regular season games are very very close to sellouts regardless of walkup sales. Secondly, playoff ticket sales largely depend on the assumption that each and every season ticket holder will automatically purchase playoff tickets. This is a pretty big assumption considering that many season ticket holders shell out a hefty fee already for season tickets (some fans spending money that they really can't afford)... and then the prices go up per seat in the playoff, and many teams require a "minimum" purchase of 2 or more seats. Third of all, many teams require season ticket holders to purchase tickets for TWO home games (even tough all these wild card round teams have a remote chance of playing two home games)... and if the team doesn't play the second game, they apply that money to next year's season ticket renewal (I presume they would get the money back if they ultimately decide not to renew... but that money sits in a holding account, unavailable, till that deadline). Finally, in the regular season the team/sponsors have the option of buying up all the unused seats to lift blackouts... NFL rules prevent that in the playoffs.
I'm not sure these things explain what's going on though. Green Bay and Indy have sold out their last dozens of playoff games, and all these things would have been issues then too. And Green Bay apparently has a 100,000 people waiting list for season tickets, so even if season tickets holders don't buy, it seems like *someone* would.
Indy and Cincy have weak fanbases compared to other NFL cities. They aren't the worst but are near the bottom. I don't understand GB. Somebody on the radio today said their playoff tickets were the most expensive in the NFL. Maybe that explains it.
And "someone" eventually did. Green Bay season ticket holders were asked to buy playoff tickets back in November... in the midst of the Rodgers injury and floundering play. They ultimately sold out, but the delayed response was due to many season ticket holders not automatically purchasing tickets way back then. Their increased stadium capacity also slowed the process. Indy is more of a basketball town... and there's not the same fervor surrounding this team that was there in the Manning era 3 years ago (when they had their last home playoff game). Again, the season ticket holders option to purchase the playoff tickets began during the Colts mid-season swoon where they were trading wins and losses every other week. The divisional round teams all had zero problems selling out.... it is still about the fan's perception of whether or not the team has a realistic shot of winning it all. These are two of the "weakest" division winning teams Indy and GB has had.
Game 1 WC weekend: KC at Colts So many subplots, KC coming off a terrible season, and having a totally magical season with the hiring of Andy Reid and play of a tenacious defense and a relentless run game. I am having a totally hard time picking a team that may win this game. These two teams are suprisingly evenly matched. The run game advantage belonging to KC and pass game advantage belonging to the Colts. The defense are fairly even, considering that KC started hot and cooled off while Colts started off poorly and have been playing stout defense. Coaching is essentially even. The difference however is simple. Every game the Colts were focused on resulted in a win while every major game that the Chiefs had to play resulted in losses. This is a clear indicator of how teams play against upper echelon teams. The Colts are a team that is scary at home as well. KC's only chance at beating the Colts in Indy is to force Luck to make mistakes. Other than his STL game, Luck has had a tremendous season protecting the ball and setting his team in a position to win games. Vegas has the line at -2 and I like the Colts to win: 30-24. and the over 48. Game 2 NO at Phi: Drew Brees and the Saints have been bad...really bad away from the cozy confines of New Orleans. Foles has been terrific most of the season after taking over for Vick. One great weakness that the Eagles have is their secondary. As prolific as their scoring is, their defense will cost them a game. They had zero answer for Witten last week, and if that ball wasnt thrown behind him, the Cowboys mightve been in the playoffs. If Witten abused them up the middle, just imagine what a now healthy Jimmy Graham will do. Brees also is a master at adjusting routes based off matchups and he will test the Phili Secondary. Phili is unstoppable on offense with their quick tempo and speed, but that wont matter if the team is playing from behind. Just a note: Phili has been terrific since November(one loss against Minny). But they have been allowing massive amounts of yds to their opposition. Brees and Payton isnt gonna settle for FGs, and they will be looking for TDs. If the Eagles continue to allow 350 yds to their opponents, the Saints will win and win big. I expect this to happen tonight. Saints 44 - Eagles 27.
Chiefs defense is good when playing crap teams. Horrible against good teams. Reminds me of the texans last 2 years.
