A poor performance last year led to a big increase this year for Thursday Night Football.
The Week 3 Washington/Giants Thursday Night Football game drew an 11.9 overnight rating on CBS and NFL Network, up 40% from Buccaneers/Falcons last year (8.5) and up 72% from Chiefs/Eagles on NFL Network and local affiliates in 2013 (6.9). Keep in mind that last year’s game, a 56-14 Falcons rout, had the lowest overnight for a primetime NFL game on broadcast since 2011.
Even with the bar set low, the Giants’ win put up one of the strongest performances in the history of Thursday Night Football. The 11.9 overnight is the fourth-highest ever for TNF, trailing Broncos/Chiefs the previous week (14.3), Steelers/Ravens in Week 2 of last season (13.7) and Chargers/Broncos in Week 8 last season (13.6).
It also marked a 6% increase over Giants/Washington on TNF last season, which aired in Week 4 (11.2).
TNF has now averaged a 13.2 overnight through two telecasts, up 20% from last year (11.0).
(Thu. numbers from CBS Sports)
