bigjunk1

The NFC game was a big hit, no real surprise with Green Bay involved. But the Pats/Bolts game was actually down 2% from Pats/Colts last year.
With the Pats breaking ratings records on a seemingly weekly basis - this really shows you that there was a lot less interest in the Chargers.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200....ap/index.html

BradfordPatsFan

I didn't click the link but look at game time as well. Last year the Pats-Colts was the 6:00 game. Also, SD is not a huge media market, not that Green Bay is either but the state of Wisconsin seems to shut down for that team on game days. Also the games were played on MLK weekend, meaning more people could gather and watch the 6:00 game with potentially having Monday off.

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shmessy

Look at the share ratings. Pats - Chargers had a higher share than the Pats-Colts last year or the Giants - Packers this year. However, they had a lower overall rating. It all comes down to time slot. More people are home at night.

One really needs to compare Apples to Apples. The early game this year outrated and outshared the early game last year. The late game this year outrated and outshared the late game last year.

The NFL continues to rake it in.

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bigjunk1

Well, if you are going to interject this debate with facts, then I choose to no longer participate.


Seriously though, what you said is true.

Dojo Chargerfan

I never tire of hearing how west coast teams don't have a strong fan base, or at least someone implying it. We might not have the fans that the Pats have but I bet we have the same amount of fans as the Pats had in the late 90's. It's SB's that create fans, and so far we have none. Hopefully, one is coming soon.

Wildo7

That's true, but I don't think it's a swipe at the Chargers or their fan base. The Chargers were a better team than the Colts this year which is why they won but all year long everyone thought it was going to be Colts/Pats rematch in the AFCCG. Their would be another Brady v. Manning duel and it would make for an exciting matchup between two teams that everyone thought was the best. with a lot of interesting (on a national level) storylines and implication. The Colts were also the defending SB champions and a team which many thought could be the only to stop the Pats undefeated run. The media built this up so much (and maybe rightly so because they were all good games in the past and if the Colts won, Pats haters would rejoice and the Colts may have been the new "dynasty" winning back to back SBs and the Pats seeking revenge for last year etc.), so when the Chargers beat the Colts I think that took some of the appeal away from the AFCCG for some because they were now denied the biggest matchup of the season, in their minds.

PatriotsReign

You know your Nielsen ratings, I'm impressed. Shmessy is right on here. It's all relative to time slot and % of homes watching (share ratings).

oldskool138

I think that a 3:00 PM start hurt the Pat's ratings. Maybe they should have the NFC and AFC title games on different days (i.e.- one on Saturday and one on Sunday).

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Dojo Chargerfan

True. I just don't like the overhyped Manning or any NY team for that matter. There is a lot of East Coast bias in the media, mainly because most of the mainstream media (ESPN- Ohio) is based in the East Coast. Even Sirius radio is very east coast bias. There's tons of guys from NFL Radio who are Giant fans and overhype the Giants. Not to mention this hidden mystique around the Patriots why they win close games. You wanna know why the Pats win close game? not because of some mystical power, it's hard work and great coaching. This is just another swipe at the west coast. Plus, not to mention we're in the SW of the nation. The Seahawks are in the NW of this nation and have a TON of fans but were criticized because of their lack of fan base in the Superbowl. They have the friggin 12th man out there! Their stadium rocks every game! I admit we have fairweather fans but there's just so much hate for the west coast from the east coast media that it's rediculous.