When it comes to ratings, one of the most controversial finishes in NFL history still takes a backseat to the starpower of the Dallas Cowboys.
The Week 3 edition of “Monday Night Football,” won by the Seahawks on a disputed ‘Hail Mary’ over the Packers, earned an 11.5 overnight rating on ESPN — down 3% from Washington/Cowboys last year (11.9), and down 1% from Packers/Bears in 2010 (11.6).
Keep in mind last year’s 11.9 overnight was the best of the entire season.
The Packers/Seahawks finish may be the talk of the NFL, but the game drew a lower overnight than the NFL national window on CBS (14.9), “Sunday Night Football” on NBC (14.3) and the NFL singleheader on FOX (12.2). The game did outdraw the first game of Sunday’s CBS doubleheader, but only barely (11.4).
The controversial ending to the game provided a major lift for the postgame edition of “SportsCenter,” which earned an impressive 5.0 overnight from Midnight-1:30 AM ET.
Locally, Monday’s game drew a 52.9 rating in Milwaukee (15.1 on ESPN, 37.8 on local affiliate) and a 35.3 in Seattle (19.6 on ESPN, 15.7 on local affiliate).
(Monday’s numbers from ESPN)
