As we get deeper into the NFL season, divisional rivalries start to heat up. Each passing game holds more weight on the final playoff picture. Week 13 will be no different, as three of the top-five priced NFL games are between division rivals. All five games feature potential playoff teams that are fighting for a better spot or to stay in the race.
Steelers-Ravens is the hot NFL ticket in Week 13
One of the AFC’s best rivalries renews in Baltimore this weekend, and tickets are running about $328 on the secondary market, according to TiqIQ.
Justin K. Aller
In fact, only the Saints are under .500 on this list, making it one of the most jam-packed lists of the year when it comes to true value.
The Ravens narrowly disposed of the Steelers two weeks ago. That was without Ben Roethlisberger. Pittsburgh will be without its starter this week as well.
The 6-5 Steelers badly need a win just to remain in the AFC wild card race. With the intensity increasing, it also makes sense that ticket prices rise. Admission to this matchup is 20 percent higher than when these two teams met in Pittsburgh. Prices for this one are just 5 percent more expensive than the average price of Ravens tickets this season, and it’s actually the fourth cheapest game of the year.
The Seahawks are playing in the second most expensive game of the week? You can thank Jay Cutler and the Bears for that. Cutler returned to the field last week and brought Chicago's offense back to life, which in turn brought back the value for Bears' tickets.
This game is the Seahawks’ most expensive road contest of the year, but when compared to the normal price of Bears tickets it’s a relative bargain. The current $278 average price is 28 percent below the average price of Bears tickets this season and comes in as Chicago’s second cheapest home game of the year.
3. Vikings @ Packers Avg: $258 | Get-in: $139 | Weekly Trend: -23 percent
Minnesota has struggled lately, but the Vikings still have a shot at a wild card spot with a win over the 7-4 Packers in Week 13. It won't be easy, though, as the Packers will be at home and hungry after being embarrassed by the New York Giants on Sunday Night Football.
Ticket prices for this matchup have fallen in the recent days -- dropping 23 percent this week -- but prices are still 32 percent more expensive than the average price for Packers tickets this season. Prices for this game are also 18 percent higher than their previous meeting this year in Minnesota and up over 70 percent since their 2011 game in Green Bay. Rodgers and Co. on the ticket is enough to get anyone interested. Throw Adrian Peterson, Percy Harvin and playoff repercussions into the mix, and the value really grows.
Needless to say, it shouldn't be that much of a shock to find out that this is currently Green Bay's most expensive home game of 2012, and comes in as Minnesota's second-most expensive road contest, behind only a future game with the 10-1 Houston Texans.
4. Buccaneers @ Broncos Avg: $230 | Get-in: $103 | Weekly Trend: -38 percent
Tampa Bay's impressive run ended last week with a loss to the Falcons, but that won't stop the Bucs from coming in as the fourth-most expensive ticket when they face Peyton Manning and the Broncos this week.
Manning and his 8-3 Broncos are the main reason why this matchup cracks the top five. This is actually Denver’s third-cheapest home game and Tampa Bay’s most expensive road contest. Still, this game has loads of value due to the big names and the impact on the playoff race. With an average price of $230 per seat this game is selling for 13 percent less than the average price of Broncos tickets this season.
5. Saints @ Falcons Avg: $197 | Get-in: $69 | Weekly Trend: -8 percent
The Saints got the better of Atlanta in their first meeting this year, ending the Falcon’s bid for an undefeated season with a 31-27 win in New Orleans. Things were different the second time around as the Falcons got a little revenge with their 23-13 win over the Saints on Thursday.
Drew Brees' five interceptions helped end his NFL-record 54 straight games with a touchdown pass. It also ended the Saints' playoff hopes.
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