The winner of today's Minnesota (14-2) at Detroit (14-2) game wins the NFC North and the #1 seed in the NFC playoffs; they also would need to win just 2 home playoff games to reach the Super Bowl.

The loser gets the #5 seed and would (likely) have to win 3 playoff games on the road to reach the Super Bowl.

Vikings buy 1,900 tickets for Lions showdown at Ford Field​

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  Kevin Seifert, ESPN Staff Writer
• Jan 4, 2025, 08:45 PM ET

The Minnesota Vikings found an effective but expensive way this week to increase their in-stadium presence during Sunday night's winner-take-all NFC North matchup with the host Detroit Lions.

The team purchased roughly 1,900 tickets near the Ford Field visitor's bench on the secondary market, ESPN confirmed Saturday, at roughly $1,000 per ticket -- or just under $2 million in total. The Vikings then offered them to team-based stakeholders at a cost that ranged from $200 to $300 per ticket, ESPN confirmed.

In a statement, the Vikings said: "Given the uniqueness of this game, we wanted to offer our stakeholders -- staff, family, season ticket members and team partners -- an opportunity to attend."

The Lions declined to comment when reached by ESPN.

The series of transactions is unusual but within NFL rules, highlighting the significance of Sunday's game to both teams. The winner will clinch the NFC North title as well as the NFC's No. 1 playoff seed with a first-round bye, while the loser will be the No. 5 seed and open the playoffs on the road in the wild-card round.

Sports Illustrated first reported news of the Vikings' ticket acquisition.

The late hit call was absolute bullshit gifting them 3 I'll start there. However, the last 3 drives on O we didn't do jack shit and got way too conservative. As soon as I think Sully is the guy he looks like deer in headlights on basic elements of the game. Iowa should have won this game and yet pissed it away again by their own doing. I don't know what to think about next season but I'm getting sick of this shit.

I like Thelwell starting, but the Hawks got out-rebounded again yesterday. Any of you geniuses got a solution other than 'Fire Fran'?

This team was certainly going to have some growing pains. Tennessee is not going to the last team to expose weaknesses. Every player on the team has to get better for the Hawkeyes to have a 20 plus win season. Still, undue pessimism at the point is to sell this team and the coaching staff far too short! Next game is Wednesday night…

Real simple: Dolphins have to win today and the Broncos have to lose. Starting now on FOX.

Weather Report: Partly sunny with temps in the low 30s. No chance of precipitation. Wind out of the WNW at 8 mph.

The Vikings lead the Packers at the half 13-3.

TJ was targeted 5 times and had 5 catches for 68 yards (28 was the long).

Sam Darnold was 17-22 (77%) for 184 yds and 1 TD pass.

Check this out & watch:

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It seems like the online testosterone is flying out of folks on Hbot lately. Who is the baddest of the bad Hboter of them all?

So when they hang a picture up in the East Wing, will it be a group picture of his staff instead of Biden?

high bar.

Just finished up a rough look at what Iowa's defensive depth chart could look like in 2025.

Some thoughts, nuggets from bowl prep, where the Hawkeyes have question marks and need portal additions, + more.

STORY:

Wow, hope this kid enjoys running for his life behind that shit show of a line.
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Apologies for the lack of content the last couple days. Experienced some flu-like symptoms on the first night and was hit with food poisoning last night after getting home from broadway. Nashville apparently hates my guts 😂

Hopping on a pod with the Missouri guys and then hoping to get some stuff out later today.

I just watched the hilites of the usc vs Tx A&M bowl game. USC just loaded with receivers, how did they go 6-6 this year. And the other thought is how can Iowa not get at least one stud 6-3 type fast receiver with great moves, fast and with great hands?

This is the key to a much better hawk passing attack as one receiver like that who can make 6-8 grabs a game, draw double coverage at times which opens up your other receivers is a huge need.

Yes, we need the QBs who can put the ball on them also but I think that part is starting to materialize.

Maybe Buie and Howard become those types of receivers but the portal might be the quickest way to find one