NFL Week 12 Wrap: Broncos Deliver Another Huge Audience For “SNF”

For the second-straight week, the Denver Broncos helped NBC to one of the largest “Sunday Night Football” audiences ever.

The Week 12 Broncos/Patriots “Sunday Night Football” game drew a 15.6 final rating and 26.5 million viewers on NBC, up 24% in ratings and 27% in viewership from Packers/Giants last year (12.6, 20.9M), and up 27% and 30%, respectively, from Steelers/Chiefs in 2011 (12.3, 20.3M).

Broncos/Patriots ranks as the second-highest rated and third-most viewed NFL telecast of the season on NBC. Only Chiefs/Broncos in Week 11 (26.95M) and Broncos/Colts in Week 7 (26.94M) drew more viewers. Four of the top five games on NBC this season have involved the Broncos.

Of the 136 regular season NFL telecasts on NBC since the network resumed airing games in 2006, Sunday’s game ranks seventh in ratings and eighth in viewership. Three of the ten most-viewed games have taken place this season alone, all involving the Broncos.

Despite the strong numbers, Broncos/Patriots was not even the most-viewed NFL telecast of the day. Cowboys/Giants on FOX drew 27.9 million.

Among adults 18-49, Sunday’s game drew a 9.8 rating — up 29% from last year (7.6), and up 24% from 2011 (7.9). The 9.8 was the top rating of the week in the demo, even topping Cowboys/Giants (9.0).

Despite having declines for eight of thirteen telecasts this season, NBC has averaged a 13.2 rating and 22.5 million viewers for NFL coverage this season — the network’s best average through 12 weeks since reacquiring rights in 2006.

10 Most-Viewed NFL Games on NBC

Since the network resumed airing games in 2006

(Week 12 finals from NBC Sports Group Press Box)