Vikings Just a Little Short of a Sellout for Wild Card Weekend Against Eagles

The Minnesota Vikings completed a stirring rally from a 0-2 start Sunday by winning the NFC North. The division title was clinched on a dramatic last-second field goal by mercenary kicker Ryan Longwell.

For the success-starved supporters of this organization, seeing them clinch their first playoff berth in four years and win their first division title since 2000 had to be an exhilarating experience. It's the kind of experience that leaves the paying customer wanting more. There's no question that such a moment can lead to a huge surge in ticket sales for the upcoming home playoff game.

Unfortunately, the Vikings are a tad short of a sellout for Sunday's game with the Philadelphia Eagles. Can't be a big deal, though. I mean, the Vikings needed an extension from the NFL to avoid a blackout of their Week Three game against Carolina because they were 1,400 or so tickets short.

They can't be that far off this time, right?

Wrong. They're 20,000 tickets short. Vikings owner Zygi Wilf is about to start begging.

"We really ask the fans to come out," Wilf said. "I know this is the first home playoff game we've had in some time and it came quite suddenly. We're asking the fans to really come out and support us. They're as important as anyone, especially in the Metrodome. We need their help. I think we'll be able to do it again. We ask everyone to come out and enjoy this is because it's tough to get to where we're at. We're very happy for the fans to have the opportunity to come to the Metrodome and support our team in the playoffs."

Ouch. 20,000?

Really?

You realize the Dolphins sold their game out, right?

I'd love to try to help, but I'm not going to help the Vikings pedal tickets until they put me on their payroll. I mean, if the Dolphins can do it on their own, so can the Vikings.

Instead, I'm going to take a closer look at Wilf's comments. I love how he said that this home playoff game "came quite suddenly". The Vikings have been in sole possession of first place in the NFC North since beating the Bears 34-14 on November 30. They were in a tie for first for each of the previous three weekends. They could have won the North as early as December 14 had the Bears cooperated that week.

Seriously, what was "sudden" about this?

Since Wilf can't tell you the truth, let me put myself in his shoes for a moment and tell you the truth.

Our fans have a history of not being very good fans. They don't buy our tickets. When they do, they sell them to Packer fans and make our stadium Lambeau West.

They should stop being cheap and recognize the achievements of these wonderful players, because if they don't, it's not like they'll be able to watch on television, anyway.

Glad I could help, Zygi. Now get to work on these sales. I doubt you want the first home playoff game since you bought the team to be blacked out in the Twin Cities.

UPDATE: Via PFT, it sounds like the Vikings' own season-ticket holders betrayed them. Reports are that some 45 percent of them passed on playoff tickets. Ouch!

Insert "Well, half their season-ticket holders are Packer fans" jokes here.