A lengthy weather delay and a lackluster first half did not help matters as the NFL ratings slump continued — for at least one night — into 2018.
The Falcons-Eagles NFL Kickoff Game earned a 13.4 overnight rating on NBC, down 8% from Chiefs-Patriots last year (14.6), down 19% from Panthers-Broncos in 2016 (16.5) and the lowest for the season opener in ten years.
The 2008 Giants-Washington Kickoff Game, which moved up to 7 PM ET to accommodate the late John McCain‘s acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention, had a 10.1. Not counting the 2002 game on ESPN, overnights for which were unavailable, this year’s 13.4 overnight is the fifth-lowest in the history of the game (16 telecasts).
The Eagles’ win peaked a 14.8 from 9:30-9:45 PM ET, during the first quarter. The game began 45 minutes later than scheduled due to inclement weather. The last time the Kickoff Game was pushed back due to weather was 2013, when Ravens-Broncos delivered a 16.2.
Philadelphia led all markets with a 32.9 rating, followed by New Orleans at a 24.6. Atlanta was third with a 19.8. Denver (17.5) and Milwaukee (17.3) rounded out the top five.
Despite the lower numbers, the 13.4 overnight is the highest for any sporting event since the Winter Olympics. The NBA Finals topped out at a 12.7 for Games 2 and 3.
[Numbers from NBC Sports PR]
