ALLEN PARK — It’s official. The clash at Ford Field of the 1-8 teams — the Detroit Lions vs. the Cleveland Browns — will be blacked out on local television on Sunday. The game did not sell out by 1 p.m. today.

A team spokesman would not say how many tickets remain. Early on Wednesday afternoon, more than 7,000 tickets were still available. If it was close the NFL could have granted a 24-hour extension like it did for the home opener which did sell out.

This is the third home game blacked out this season. The others were the win over the Washington Redskins and the loss to the St. Louis Rams.

Apparently, a struggling team and a wretched economy are not a good combination for ticket sales.
— PAULA PASCHE