Updated: September 24, 2009, 9:08 PM ET
Lions, Raiders blacked out
DETROIT -- The Detroit Lions and Oakland Raiders failed to sell all their tickets for Sunday's games by an NFL-imposed deadline and will be blacked out on local television.
The Lions fell well short of a sellout for their game against the Washington Redskins, while the Raiders failed to sell out their game against the Denver Broncos by the league deadline of 72 hours before kickoff.
The San Diego Chargers were able to lift the local television blackout for Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins, selling enough tickets by Thursday's deadline. The Arizona Cardinals were also able to sell out their game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Lions spokesman Bill Keenist said Thursday the game will be blacked out in the Detroit, Lansing, Saginaw-Flint and Toledo, Ohio, markets.
More than 10,000-plus tickets were available on Wednesday. Last week, the Lions were able to sell 1,700 available tickets in time for the home game against Minnesota.
The Lions have lost 19 games in a row, matching the second-longest skid in NFL history. Coach Jim Schwartz says the team must take responsibility for the empty seats.
"It is on us because it's our job to win," he said. "It's our job to get fans excited and to give them a reason to come to the game. And when we do that, we won't have to worry about blackouts or sellouts or anything else."
The Raiders got a one-day extension to sell out their opener against San Diego but were unable to avoid the blackout against the Broncos.
The Raiders have had two games blacked out each season since taking over ticket sales from Alameda County before the 2006 season. This marks the first division game blacked out during that time.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
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