First, the results of last week’s predictions.
- NFL on NFL Network, Ravens/Cowboys (12/20). Prediction: 3.5. Final rating: 3.4. The 3.4 rating for Ravens/Cowboys in Week 16 was the highest of the season for a game on NFL Network, and marked a 36% increase from the comparable Patriots/Giants game in ’07.
- NFL on FOX, Falcons/Vikings (12/21). Prediction: 14.1. Final rating: 11.8. The 11.8 rating for Falcons/Vikings or Eagles/Washington during Week 16 was down 6% from a 12.5 for comparable coverage in ’07.
- Sunday Night Football on NBC, Panthers/Giants (12/21). Prediction: 12.4. Final rating: 11.5. The 11.5 final rating for the Giants’ overtime win over the Panthers in Week 16 was up 32% from the comparable Washington/Minnesota game in ’07.
- Poinsettia Bowl on ESPN, TCU/Boise State. Prediction: 2.7*. Final rating: N/A.
- NBA on ABC, Spurs/Suns. Prediction: 3.4. Final rating: 3.2. The 3.2 for the Spurs’ 91-90 win over the Suns on Christmas was up slightly from a 3.1 for Heat/Cavaliers last year.
- NBA on ABC, Celtics/Lakers. Prediction: 5.0. Final rating: 5.3. The 5.3 rating for the Lakers’ win over the Celtics on Christmas was up 51% from a 3.5 for Suns/Lakers in ’07, and marked the second-highest rating for a regular season NBA game since 2000.
- NHL on NBC, Red Wings/Blackhawks. Prediction: 2.4. Final rating: N/A.
- Capital One Bowl on ABC, Mich. St/Georgia. Prediction: 5.3. Final rating: N/A.
- Rose Bowl on ABC, Penn. St./USC. Prediction: 13.0. Final rating: N/A.
- Orange Bowl on FOX, Cincinnati/Va. Tech. Prediction: 6.4. Final rating: N/A.
- Sugar Bowl on FOX, Alabama/Utah. Prediction: 8.7. Final rating: N/A.
This week’s predictions:
- NFL on NBC, Cardinals/Falcons, 4:30 PM Saturday — The first game of the NFL postseason should see a small bump in ratings over last year’s comparable matchup. While the Cardinals may not seem like the most high profile team, games involving the team were two of the six highest rated NFL games of the season, and their Monday nighter against the 49ers was the fifth-highest rated MNF telecast of the season. Last year’s Washington/Seahawks game drew a 14.0. Prediction: 14.4.
- NFL on NBC, Colts/Chargers, 8 PM Saturday — This rivalry should draw a solid audience in prime time, especially with the draw of NFL MVP Peyton Manning. Last year, Jaguars/Steelers drew a 15.0; two years ago, Cowboys/Seahawks drew a 16.4. Prediction: 15.3.
- NFL on CBS, Ravens/Dolphins, 1 PM Sunday — Look for ratings for this AFC Wild Card matchup to be nearly flat from last year’s comparable Giants/Buccaneers game, which drew a 15.1. Prediction: 15.0.
- NFL on FOX, Eagles/Vikings, 4:30 PM Sunday — With the big-market Eagles involved, look for the last game of Wild Card weekend to easily surpass the 16.7 for last year’s Titans/Chargers game. Prediction: 17.4.
- Fiesta Bowl on FOX, Ohio State/Texas, 8 PM Monday — While a two-day break between BCS bowl games disrupted what little momentum FOX had, expect a strong rating for this battle of marquee college football programs. Last year’s Fiesta Bowl drew a 7.7 rating. Prediction: 10.1.
