A massive blowout does not usually result in particularly high ratings.
The Colts’ 31-10 win over the Cardinals drew an 11.8/19 overnight rating on NBC Sunday night, off 18% from a 14.4/22 for Cowboys/Packers last year, and down 14% from a 13.7/23 for Cowboys/Bears in ’07.
Due to the lopsided nature of the game, it should be no surprise that Colts/Cardinals ranks as NBC’s lowest overnight of the young NFL season.
Also not surprising is the fact that — despite the decline — the NFL still dominated primetime on Sunday. Colts/Cardinals “was the #1 telecast of the night in the metered markets,” topping several season premieres on other networks. From 9-10 PM, Colts/Cardinals thrashed ABC’s Desperate Housewives by 59%.
