First, the results of last week’s predictions.
- Sunday Night Football on NBC, Giants/Cowboys. Prediction: 13.6. Final rating: 13.7. The 13.7 final rating for last Sunday’s Giants/Cowboys game was up 44% from a 9.5 for comparable coverage in ’07, and marks the third-highest rating ever for a Sunday Night Football game on NBC.
- NFL on CBS, Steelers/Ravens. Prediction: 13.0. Final rating: 14.7. CBS drew the highest rating of the week thanks to Steelers/Ravens. The 14.7 rating for the Steelers’ close win marks a slight increase from a 14.6 for comparable coverage a year ago, and is tied as the fifth-best rating of the season for an NFL game.
- College football on ESPN, Heisman Trophy Presentation. Prediction: 2.7. Final rating: 2.7. The 2.7 U.S. rating for the Heisman Trophy Presentation marks a 4% increase from a 2.6 for last year’s event. The event averaged 3.1 million households, making it the most viewed Heisman presentation ever on ESPN.
- College basketball on CBS, Memphis/Georgetown. Prediction: 1.2. Final rating: 1.1. The overtime tilt between Memphis and Georgetown drew a 1.1 final rating, down 15% from last year’s Michigan/Duke game.
- College basketball on CBS, Indiana/Kentucky. Prediction: 1.3. Final rating: 1.3. The 1.3 for last week’s blowout between Indiana and Kentucky was down 13% from a 1.5 for the same matchup in ’07.
This week’s predictions:
- NFL on NFL Network, Ravens/Cowboys, 8 PM Saturday — The final NFL Network broadcast of the season features the high-profile Dallas Cowboys in a game that is not only filled with playoff implications, but could also be their last game at Texas Stadium. Look for NFL Network to draw its highest rating of the season. Prediction: 3.5.
- NFL on FOX, Eagles/Washington, 4:15 PM Sunday — Even though this matchup may be fourth on the depth chart when it comes to high-profile NFL games this weekend, it will likely be the highest rated game of Week 16 by virtue of being in the late national timeslot. Prediction: 14.1.
- Sunday Night Football on NBC, Panthers/Giants, 8 PM Sunday — This matchup of NFC titans should draw strong numbers on NBC Sunday night, though not strong enough to match the ratings for Giants/Cowboys last week or Cowboys/Packers earlier in the season. Prediction: 12.4.
- Poinsettia Bowl on ESPN, TCU/Boise St., 8 PM Tuesday — This high quality matchup figures to put in a stronger performance in the ratings than last year’s Poinsettia Bowl between Utah and Navy, which drew a 2.0 cable rating. Prediction: 2.7 cable rating.
- NBA on ABC, Spurs/Suns, 2:30 PM Thursday — Spurs/Suns would have drawn a higher rating last Christmas. Still, coming off last year’s highly rated playoff series between the teams, ABC should draw good numbers for this grudge match. Last year, Heat/Cavaliers drew a 3.1 rating. Prediction: 3.4.
- NBA on ABC, Celtics/Lakers, 5 PM Thursday — Coming off of an NBA Finals battle between these storied franchises, and with both teams sporting extremely impressive records thus far, ABC should draw its highest Christmas Day NBA rating since the first Shaq/Kobe game in 2004. Prediction: 5.0.
- NHL on NBC, Red Wings/Blackhawks, 1 PM January 1 — The second NHL Winter Classic figures to be an even bigger draw than the first. While the novelty has likely worn off, the game has the advantage of taking place at Wrigley Field (a more recognizable venue than Buffalo’s Ralph Wilson Stadium) and the involvement of the big market Chicago Blackhawks and the biggest draw in all of hockey, the Detroit Red Wings. Last year’s Winter Classic drew a 2.2 rating. Prediction: 2.4.
- Capital One Bowl on ABC, Mich. St/Georgia, 1 PM January 1 — The Capital One Bowl is due for a significant plunge in the ratings compared to last year’s Florida/Michigan tilt, which drew a 9.1 rating. Prediction: 5.3.
- Rose Bowl on ABC, Penn. St./USC, 5 PM January 1 — This matchup features two traditional football programs in the highest profile bowl game of them all. Look for ABC to see a solid improvement in ratings from last year’s USC/Illinois game, which drew an 11.1 rating. Prediction: 13.0.
- Orange Bowl on FOX, Cincinnati/Va. Tech, 8:30 PM January 1 — With neither Cincinnati or Virginia Tech being powerhouses this season, do not expect spectacular ratings for the Orange Bowl. The last two Orange Bowl games have been the two lowest rated in history (7.4 in 2008, 7.0 in 2007); another record low may be on the way. Prediction: 6.4.
- Sugar Bowl on FOX, Alabama/Utah, 8 PM January 2 — This Alabama/Utah matchup should be closer than last year’s Georgia/Hawaii blowout. Look for a decent increase in ratings from last year’s record-low 7.0 rating. Prediction: 8.7.
