MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. — Upon entering, it takes one glance to understand why DJ’s Goalpost Bar and Grill is a game day spot for diehard Green Bay Packers fans. Owner Don Matovich has Green Bay gear on every wall, from autographed helmets to framed jerseys. 

However, the lifelong fan admitted several mid-season Packers games were hard to watch.

“We were 4-8,” Matovich said. “And it was turning out to be the worst season ever.”

The mood has improved greatly on recent Sundays, as the Packers rebounded from an autumn cold streak to win four straight games. Sunday’s 41-17 blowout win over Minnesota, Matovich said, drew a near-capacity crowd and led to a record day of revenue for his bar.

“As the game started and the first big play came, the place erupted,” he said. “We had so much fun, it just went wild.”

With the whole fan base back on board, ticket prices have surged for Sunday’s regular season finale against Detroit. James Bryce, a partner at Ticket King in Milwaukee, said prices on the secondary market for Week 18 more than doubled in less than a day.

“No one was buying before the Vikings game, essentially,” Bryce said. “They could have bought seats at 75-80 bucks late last week. Now, it’s right around $175 to get in.”

Monday the NFL announced it had moved the Packers game against the Lions into prime time. The NFC North rivals each have a shot to earn the No. 7 seed in the NFC playoffs, meaning they would be on the road for their entire postseason run. Bryce said the opportunity to see the Packers clinch a playoff berth at Lambeau Field is driving the jump in prices.

“It is a playoff game, for all intents and purposes,” Bryce said. “I think this one is going to be as good or better as any Wild Card game you could have, in my opinion.”

A Packers playoff run is always an added boost for businesses like DJ’s Goalpost. Sunday may technically be a regular season game, but Matovich said he expects a postseason atmosphere.