By now, everyone knows the stakes for Sunday’s big game in Detroit. Whoever wins between the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings will win the NFC North, claim the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs, have home-field advantage and the first-round bye. The loser is the No. 5 seed and has to go on the road against either the Rams, Buccaneers or Falcons.
In addition to the team incentives, players have their own individual incentives in their contracts they are striving for and Week 18 is their final opportunity to claim those incentives and pocket some extra money.
Thanks to Spotrac, we can take a look at some of those incentives for the Lions and what they have to play for Sunday night.
Defensive end Za’Darius Smith’s contract includes $250,000 for ten sacks, $500,000 for 12 sacks and $750,000 if he reaches 14 sacks. Those values double with a playoff berth. So if Smith can record two sacks Sunday, he’ll cash in on $500,000.
Defensive tackle DJ Reader is sitting on 46.2% of defensive snaps played this season. If he can reach 50%, he’ll earn $200,000. He also had incentives of $300,000 for 55% of snaps and $500,000 for 60%, but those numbers are unlikely unattainable at this point. 50% is possible. Reader has also already hit his incentive of three sacks for $375,000. He can earn another $375,000 if he records two sacks Sunday.
Punter Jack Fox earned an extra $150,000 for making the Pro Bowl and the Lions reaching the playoffs.
Linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin, who recently returned from injury, looks to be on his way to a $100,000 payday. He’ll hit that incentive at 25% snaps played. He is at 24.9%, so him playing Sunday will easily put him over the 25% mark.
