The NFL’s wild-card round delivered plenty of excitement over the weekend, with thrilling finishes and shocking upsets. But despite the on-field drama, average viewership slipped 9.3% compared to last year’s opening playoff slate. The six games across Saturday, Sunday, and Monday drew an average audience of 28.3 million viewers across TV and digital platforms, down from 31.2 million in 2023.
Key Takeaways from Wild-Card Ratings
While the overall trend skewed negative, the league can point to a few bright spots. Here are some key observations from the viewership data:
Saturday Games Hold Steady
The two Saturday matchups largely maintained their audiences from last year. Houston’s win over the Chargers on CBS was only down 1%, while Baltimore’s victory against Pittsburgh on Amazon Prime set a new record for the streamer with over 22 million viewers.
Streaming Surge Softens Declines
Amazon’s record-setting performance with Ravens-Steelers helped offset steeper drops on linear networks. The game’s 3% dip from last year’s Peacock stream indicates viewers are growing more accustomed to watching the playoffs on digital platforms.
The most-viewed game of the weekend was Philadelphia’s victory over Green Bay on Fox, which averaged 35.6 million in the Sunday late afternoon window. However, that was an 11% decline from the Packers-Cowboys game on Fox in the comparable slot last year.
Declining Interest in Big Brands?
Some of the NFL’s marquee franchises struggled to draw their usual playoff audiences. The Cowboys, Packers, and Buccaneers all played in windows that saw double-digit percentage declines. Whether due to lopsided scores or fading enthusiasm for veteran-led squads, the brand-name teams didn’t provide their typical ratings boost.
Regular Season Trends Continue
The playoff numbers follow a regular season in which the NFL averaged 17.5 million viewers per game, its sixth-highest figure since 1995 but a 2% dip from 2023. The shifts in wild-card audiences—with streaming up and cable/network broadcasts down—mirrored the season-long patterns.
Looking Ahead to the Divisional Round
With the wild-card ratings in the books, attention turns to the divisional matchups. The star power of Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Joe Burrow could draw bigger audiences, while the NFL’s international efforts get a spotlight with the Giants-Eagles game in London.
Still, the league faces an uphill climb to match last year’s viewership totals. The wild-card dip foreshadows the challenge ahead in keeping fans tuned in. But if the games continue to deliver drama, the ratings slide could slow down as the playoffs unfold.
- Overall playoff picture remains compelling
- Divisional round features must-see QB matchups
- International stage adds fresh storyline
The wild-card round provided a reminder that nothing is guaranteed in the NFL, both on the field and in the ratings. While the league aims to rebound in the divisional games and beyond, it’s clear that playoff viewership is no longer immune to the broader trend of audience fragmentation. The road to the Super Bowl is wide open—and so is the competition for fans’ attention.
