After hitting a season-high in the overnights, the Patriots’ lone Monday Night Football appearance finished just shy in the final nationals.
The Week 11 Bills/Patriots Monday Night Football game had an 8.9 final rating and 14.3 million viewers on ESPN, up 10% in ratings and 12% in viewership from Steelers/Titans last year (8.1, 12.8M) and down 10% in both measures from Patriots/Panthers in 2013 (9.9, 15.8M). The game peaked at a 10.2 and 16.5 million from 9:45-10 PM ET.
The Patriots’ win ranks as the highest rated and most-watched MNF telecast in seven weeks — since Lions/Seahawks in Week 4 (9.0, 14.4M) — and is second and third, respectively, for the season. It trails Lions/Seahawks in both categories and Vikings/49ers in Week 1 in the latter (14.33M to 14.26M).
The performance marked a reprieve from MNF‘s recent slump. Five of the six previous games failed to crack an 8.0 rating and four had declines in ratings and viewership.
The game had a 5.1 rating among adults 18-49, up 13% from last year (4.5) but down 12% from 2013 (5.8). While the highest demo rating since Giants/Eagles in Week 6 (5.2), the 5.1 ranks near the middle of the pack overall — tying for fifth out of ESPN’s 12 total telecasts.
By comparison, New England’s only MNF game last year had a lower rating (8.8) but did slightly better in viewership (14.4M) and the adults 18-49 demo (5.3).
Patriots Ratings on MNF, Past Ten Appearances
| Year | Wk. | Opponent | Rtg. | Vwrs. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 11 | vs. Bills | 8.9 | 14.26M |
| 2014 | 4 | at Chiefs | 8.8 | 14.43M |
| 2013 | 11 | at Panthers | 9.9 | 15.77M |
| 2012 | 14 | vs. Texans | 9.0 | 14.48M |
| 2011 | 1 | at Dolphins | 9.1 | 14.57M |
| 11 | vs. Chiefs | 7.8 | 12.34M | |
| 2010 | 4 | at Dolphins | 9.0 | 13.97M |
| 13 | vs. Jets | 10.0 | 16.53M | |
| 2009 | 1 | vs. Bills | 8.9 | 14.00M |
| 12 | at Saints | 12.9 | 21.40M |
(Mon. numbers from ESPN, with additional info from ShowBuzz Daily)
