Playoff wins still don't seem real

It started with a text message.

“What are you doing for the game tomorrow?”

Earlier in the week, I had conversations with my colleagues about what it must’ve been like to be at Ford Field in Detroit on Jan. 14 as the Lions won a playoff game for the first time since 1991.

The crowd registered at 133.6 decibels, setting a new record for loudest indoor crowd noise ever recorded — and the fourth-loudest crowd in history, period.

I couldn’t imagine how electric it must’ve been during the Lions’ 24-23 victory over the Los Angeles Rams.

My colleagues and I talked about how neat it would have been to be part of the crowd, but I was a firm believer the experience was not worth the hefty price tag. I’d rather save the money, be comfortable and watch the game at home.

The average ticket price for the Lions-Rams was north of $500. Tack on the 90-minute commute one way from Saginaw, parking, food and, of course, overpriced beers, the “experience” could have easily reached a grand.

As much as I love the Lions, it wasn’t worth $1,000 to me. Again, I’d rather sit at home and watch in the comfort of my couch, my pets and my pregnant wife.

Saturday night, Chrissy and I were out to dinner. My phone and Apple Watch buzzed.

“What are you doing for the game tomorrow?”

In a perfect world, I would have been at the game. But I just didn’t see it happening. Another friend had posted on Facebook she was selling her ticket. I inquired about the price, and she was asking $850. 

Nope.

Fox Sports had reported the secondary ticket market for the game was an average of $1,186 each, more expensive than any other playoff game. Ever.

No game for me.

I told Tom, the text message’s sender, of my plans: I had none.

I mentioned to my wife that Tom, who has two young kids of his own and I don’t get to see too often these days, probably wanted to hang out for the game and she would most likely be invited too if she wanted to tag along.

“I’m having a party starting at 10 a.m. and ending in Section 206 at Ford Field. Want to join?” Tom replied.

It took me longer than it should have to see through his coded message. Then my heart sank. Was this real? Am I going to have an opportunity to go to a Lions playoff game?

Naturally, I had to ask: “How much is the ticket?”

I knew it was going to be a number I didn’t want to hear. At this point, I would just be thankful for him thinking of me and then pass it on to the next person he’d ask to go with him.

“Free my man.”

I was in disbelief.

“I’ll be at your place at 10,” I said.

“Let’s gooooooo!”

A berth in the NFC Championship — Detroit’s first since 1957 — was on the line and I was going to be there to witness it.

The next day, I showed up at Tom’s promptly at 10 a.m. as he requested. His other buddy, Tony, had beaten me there. We were going to pick up the fourth member of our squad, Mark, in a Detroit suburb and then get to Ford Field a couple hours before the game started.

Despite the gravity of the game and the loyalty of Detroit sports fans, we had no problem finding parking. We were just off Woodward Avenue, a main thoroughfare through the city, and were about a half mile from the stadium.

We got to our seats about 90 minutes before kickoff and the place was already electric. 

A 17-17 game after three quarters, Detroit scored twice in the fourth quarter for a 31-17 lead.

The place got louder than it had been all afternoon.

Tampa Bay fired back to make it 31-23 and, shortly after 6 p.m., Derrick Barnes picked off Baker Mayfield to solidify the Lions’ victory.

At 134.3 decibels, Ford Field was even louder than the week before.

Just as the week before, tears streamed down my face. Not because ear pain starts to kick in at noise levels of 125 decibels, but because of what I had just experienced.

Tony, Mark, Tom, myself and 66,000 of our friends witnessed our Detroit Lions win their second playoff game in as many weeks.

Days later, it still doesn’t seem real.

Prior to this season, Detroit had lost an NFL record nine consecutive playoff games, and now it has won back-to-back games. The Lions are one win away from their first Super Bowl berth in franchise history.

I alluded to it last week, but I still don’t know how to feel or act. It’s all new to us.

Having won the NFC North division championship and earned an appearance in the NFC title game, we’re playing with house money at this point.

As you might imagine, I'll be all-in on the Honolulu Blue on Sunday evening.

If all goes well, my Lions will get to find out just what happens in Vegas.