The second week of the 2011 NFL postseason got off to a strong start Saturday afternoon.
Saturday’s Ravens/Steelers AFC Divisional Round game earned a 20.9 overnight rating on CBS, up 17% from last year (NO/ARI: 17.9, FOX), and up 23% from 2009 (BAL/TEN: 17.0, CBS).
The 20.9 is the highest overnight for any Saturday AFC Divisional Round game since the 1993-94 season (LA/BUF: 23.9, NBC), according to CBS.
In addition, Ravens/Steelers drew the highest overnight for any Saturday Divisional Round game — AFC or NFC, regardless of timeslot — since at least the 1998-99 season. Keep in mind that does not include Saturday’s Packers/Falcons game on FOX.
In a press release, CBS said Ravens/Steelers drew the highest Divisional Round overnight period (Saturday or Sunday) since the 1995-96 season. However, that would appear to be erroneous; several Sunday Divisional Round games have topped a 20.9 overnight in recent years, including last year’s Cowboys/Vikings (23.9) and Jets/Chargers (23.1) games.
(CBS press release from TV By The Numbers)
