Unexpected playoff matchup makes history ahead of kickoff

There weren't many people who predicted the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions would be one of the final eight teams this season. But their divisional-round meeting isn't the only surprising thing about the game.

The Buccaneers-Lions divisional round playoff matchup has made history ahead of its 3 p.m. ET kickoff on Sunday. 

The average ticket price on the secondary market for the game is $1,186, which is higher than any divisional-round playoff game ever, per NBC Sports.

Both teams have embodied an underdog mentality this year and have proven to be exactly that.

Last weekend, Tampa Bay pulled off a massive upset, defeating the Philadelphia Eagles 32-9. Detroit won its first postseason game in over 30 years, breaking the NFL's longest playoff drought.

However, one of the two teams' Cinderella story will end on Sunday.

The Buccaneers are entering the game allowing the sixth-fewest points per game (19.1) in the league. But the bigger story may be the resurgence of QB Baker Mayfield.

The former No. 1 overall pick in 2018 has thrown for a career-high 4,044 yards and 28 touchdowns. It's been quite the turnaround after playing for four different teams and eight head coaches over the past six years.

The Lions, on the other hand, head into the game with the third-best offense in total yards per game (394.8) and fifth best in points per game (27.1).

QB Jared Goff has similarly turned his career around in Detroit, passing for 9,013 yards, 59 touchdowns and 19 interceptions the past two seasons.

Mayfield vs. Goff is apparently must-see TV, and one will be in the NFC Championship game. Who would've thought?

If the Buccaneers-Lions game does live up to expectations, it will be worth every penny to watch for Lions fans who have been starved of playoff football for 30-plus years. Of course, a win would help with that too.