Despite a 31-0 halftime score, the Panthers and Seahawks were still a big draw in the metered markets.
The Seahawks/Panthers NFL Divisional Round game drew a 23.1 overnight rating on FOX Sunday afternoon, down 12% from Cowboys/Packers last year (26.2) but up 6% from 49ers/Panthers in 2014 (21.8). The 23.1 is the third-highest for the early Sunday Divisional Round window in the past 20 years, since Cowboys/Eagles in 1996 (26.0).
The only games to pull a higher overnight over that span also involved the Cowboys — last year’s game against the Packers and a 2010 matchup with the Vikings (23.9).
The 23.1 is the highest for a Panthers game since Super Bowl 38, even topping their most recent NFC Championship appearance — also against the Seahawks in 2006 (22.3).
Despite the solid numbers, Sunday’s game dropped FOX to 0-2 on the postseason. Both of the network’s playoff games have had a decline in the overnights, compared to just one of six on the other networks.
(Sun. numbers via Sports Business Daily)
