Ratings predictions: Packers-Cowboys, Yankees and more

Coming off of the highest rated Week 3 and Week 4 games since 2015, the NFL has a good shot at another four-year high in Week 5. Packers-Cowboys is one of the league’s strongest matchups, pitting arguably its two most popular teams. Both are 3-1 and Super Bowl contenders.

Their last meeting two years ago, which also took place in Week 5, had a 13.6 rating. While strong by late-decade standards, that number was well below their previous meetings, which scored ratings of 15.8 (2016), 16.5 (2015) and 16.3 (2013).

Given the NFL’s overall recovery since the 2017 season, a better rating seems likely this time around – though the 15s and 16s of mid-decade are probably still out of reach. Expect the NFL’s highest Week 5 number since 2015, when coverage featuring Patriots-Cowboys had a 15.2. Prediction: 14.2.

The Colts are what the Chiefs used to be: a middling draw that wins enough to justify a few token primetime appearances. That is especially the case now that the team’s lone attraction, Andrew Luck, has retired.

NBC was no doubt banking on the quarterback matchup between Luck and Patrick Mahomes when the schedule came out in April. Instead, Mahomes must carry this matchup by himself. In Week 5 last year, Cowboys-Texans had a 10.7. Prediction: 9.9.

Airing a Yankee playoff game for just the second time, expect MLB Network to score one of its best ratings ever Friday night. New York’s previous postseason appearance — Game 2 against Cleveland two years ago — had a 1.9 rating, ranking second all-time in MLB Network history. A 2016 Giants-Cubs game holds the top spot (2.5).

The 2017 game had an afternoon start and overlapped for nearly three hours with a Cubs game on TBS, but it was also a 13-inning thriller. This year’s game has the advantage of a later start, and potentially less competition, but the quality of the game will be a factor.

The Yankees’ playoff opener last year had a 3.4 rating, but that was against the Red Sox on TBS. Prediction: 1.8.

CBS gets the third top ten matchup of the season as Auburn faces Florida Saturday afternoon. So far this season, no afternoon game has exceeded a 4.0 rating (Clemson-Texas A&M). If the game is as close as the oddsmakers think — Auburn is favored by a field goal — it should set a new daytime high. In the same window last year, LSU-Florida had a 2.9. Prediction: 4.3.

For the second straight week, ABC has Ohio State in its Saturday Night Football window. Last week, the Buckeyes’ rout of Nebraska scored a 3.5 rating — the highest Big Ten rating of the season. With Michigan State a top 25 opponent and theoretically stronger competition, this week’s game should do even better. Prediction: 3.7.

Michigan’s two appearances on FOX Big Noon Saturday this season rank as the highest rated Noon ET games on any network, each scoring a 3.1 rating. Their top 25 matchup against Iowa figures to put up a similarly strong number. Prediction: 2.9.

Coming off of a season in which LeBron James missed the playoffs and the injury-wracked Warriors lost in the Finals, the LeBron-Golden State rivalry is at a low ebb. Last season, a Warriors-Lakers preseason game scored a regular season-esque 1.3 rating. Do not expect a similar result for Saturday’s game. Even so, the Lakers debut of Anthony Davis should keep the numbers strong by preseason standards. Prediction: 0.7.

A move from ESPN2 to ABC would usually guarantee an increase, but broadcast television exposure does not mean all-that-much on an NFL Sunday. Last year’s WNBA Finals Game 3 had a 0.35. Prediction: 0.37.