A lot of people tuned in to watch the Seahawks take the NFC West title over the 49ers.
The Seattle Seahawks’ NFC West title triumph over the San Francisco 49ers may not have gotten the premier time slot on NBC’s Sunday Night Football, but it was still a big hit in terms of television viewership.
Last Saturday’s 13-3 win was the most-watched game of the weekend, even over the Pittsburgh Steelers’ incredible win over the Baltimore Ravens to clinch the AFC North title and the final playoff spot in the field. I’d say over 27 million viewers is a smash hit.
Of course, it has to be noted that this game was simulcast on ABC, ESPN, and (through the ManningCast) ESPN2, whereas the Ravens vs. Steelers was simulcast on NBC and Peacock, averaging 25.5 million viewers. While the Seahawks-49ers was up from last year’s corresponding Cincinnati Bengals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers game, Ravens-Steelers viewership was down from last season’s “Game 272” battle for the No. 1 seed between the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions.
From the ESPN PR release, “Including all regular season MNF and NFL on ESPN games, the NFC West showdown ranks as ESPN’s third most-watched NFL game since 2006.“
If Vikings vs. Lions was the big game last season and Seahawks vs. 49ers was the top-drawing game this season, I have no choice but to conclude that Sam Darnold is must-see TV.
Category: General Sports
