Pats-Texans Breaks ESPN Most Watched TV Ratings

[Ring 6]

I’m trying, and admittedly failing, to not get involved in this. Could I just point out:

1) this is a three going on four page thread about if 45.4 is larger than 37.9
2) the networks, who are in the business of making money and have access to tons of data we don’t have, put the games they feel will be a larger draw in the premium slots. And they went Bears/Rams

1) that is absolutely not the argument
2) that does not mean they are right. There are other factors such as time zones the teams play in

 

[Hammer of Thor]

Brother, everybody loved the plucky baby goat holding 6th round Tommy. TFB not so much. It's one thing to see the track star collection Rams and smarmy Martz get taken down by some hard-nosed throwback type football players and another to see your own local 11 get de-panted by the remorseless win machine PATRIOTS



The Brady/BB Pats were the plucky little team that could vs the Greatest Show On Turf. People loved 'em, from the head coach that got done wrong by slimy Art Model to the 6th round underdog QB displacing the highest paid player in the game it was a great story.

I think maybe you guys are recalling the back end of the Dynasty Pats and forgetting the beginning. There's plenty of time for Maye and Vrabel to become villains. The NFL needs villains, they're far more compelling than heroes




Besides, hater tears are just flat out delicious. I can dream of them if nothing else, I'm not letting you Kumbaya guys destroy my dreams

I think the switch happened in 2006. Prior to that, the Patriots were generally well-liked by overall fanbases, although obviously Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Philadelphia and St. Louis weren’t exactly thrilled with us. But we were the surprising little dynasty that wasn’t supposed to occur in this era, with a team that did its talking on the field and not off it (or at least not until after the game), and with a plucky QB that didn’t have all the stats in the world and was a low round pick but just managed to win. No stars, just a team. Belichick wasn’t late-stage Belichick with the media either - he actually gave info for Phil Simms to use during broadcasts, etc.

We laugh about it now, but I think that LDT “I’m a classy guy” press conference was the beginning of the turning point. I’m not saying that caused it — I’m just saying that’s the moment it happened because people were getting sick of us. I’ve had impartial Bears fans tell me that all the Merriman mock-dancing the Pats were doing wasn’t like us and success was getting to the team’s head. And then the next game against Indy, where Manning was now the underdog, brought a lot of fanbases looking for the redemption story there. And Belichick’s post-loss blowing off the media only fed into that. Then everything associated with 2007 was the last straw.

But the thing is, if you rewatch SB 39 against the Eagles…. You see the Patriots doing the same thing to the Eagles as they did to the Chargers. Every big play, the Pats would do the TO eagle flap — Vrabel did it on his TD, Rodney on his picks, etc. But nobody mentioned it then. Nobody cared. Because people still liked us. Doing the same exact thing in 2006 was only “out of character” because they had gotten sick of us by then.

 

[shmessy]

I’m trying, and admittedly failing, to not get involved in this. Could I just point out:

1) this is a three going on four page thread about if 45.4 is larger than 37.9
2) the networks, who are in the business of making money and have access to tons of data we don’t have, put the games they feel will be a larger draw in the premium slots. And they went Bears/Rams

B-I-N-G-O.

But there's a guy with 'alternative facts' trying hard.........

.

 

[shmessy]

1) that is absolutely not the argument
2) that does not mean they are right. There are other factors such as time zones the teams play in

LOL, now it's "time zones".

When does it become "color of uniforms"?????? .

.

 

[Ring 6]

B-I-N-G-O.

But there's a guy with 'alternative facts' trying hard.........

.

Your words made an argument that was wrong, claimed proof that was wrong, then disavowed both. Now you are just being a clown.

 

[Ring 6]

LOL, now it's "time zones".

When does it become "color of uniforms"?????? .

.

What argument do you have left to make?

Now you are saying time slots of NFL games are not impacted at all by the time zones the participating teams are in?
You’ve been more wrong about this topic than I’ve seen anyone on this board be wrong about a topic.
In addition to avoiding the facts and arguments you should also just bow out and save face rather than embarrassing yourself further.

 

[n1997y]

1) this is a three going on four page thread about if 45.4 is larger than 37.9

Well, is it?

Let’s discuss…

 

[mgteich]

Neilsen ratings have been changing the way they capture the size of the audience, bringing in streaming viewership and people who watch at sports bars, etc. Basically every major sports viewing event is being reported to have a bigger viewership now.

Of course, this change must have happened this year or the 1994 record would have broken long ago. Were the rules changed this year?

 

[mgteich]

Brady and Belichick were nationally popular in the 2001-2003 first few years of the Dynasty too.

Familiarity (and long-term dominance) breeds contempt. I say 'bring on the hate again!'

.

Are you suggesting that Brady and Belichick weren't TV draws after the first few years of the dynasty?

 

[TheRainMaker]

I think the switch happened in 2006. Prior to that, the Patriots were generally well-liked by overall fanbases

The Pats were the darlings of the NFL from 2001-2004. I noticed the shift after the 2004 Super Bowl win. Most people were happy NE lost at Denver in the divisional round in 2005. That's when I noticed the media and fans getting the Patriots fatigue. We're seeing that now with the Chiefs.

 

[mgteich]

The Pats were the darlings of the NFL from 2001-2004. I noticed the shift after the 2004 Super Bowl win. Most people were happy NE lost at Denver in the divisional round in 2005. That's when I noticed the media and fans getting the Patriots fatigue. We're seeing that now with the Chiefs.

Networks aren't concerned with whether fans LIKE a team. What is important is how many viewers a team draws (and not just in their local market).

 

[mike_usagisan]

Of course, this change must have happened this year or the 1994 record would have broken long ago. Were the rules changed this year?

They’ve been evolving over the last couple of years.

TV Ratings Were Undercounting Sports for Years. Not Anymore

A major shift is underway with how viewership is being counted — and football is a big beneficiary.

www.hollywoodreporter.com

 

[Steve102]

 

[Jim Beankie]

No the point was desirable to fans and the viewership.

Your argument was the Rams would be desirable because of their market size. Your ENTIRE argument until this post was that market size was all that mattered [which I now admit was incorrect]. You never cited a single [an]other factor. You were [I was] wrong. It’s ok to [I'll] admit it. It not embarrassing to misunderstand that, a lot of people probably believe the sand until they get facts .

Your argument now is that their ratings in the prime slot are an even comparison to the early slot, whicj based upon facts, is ludicrous.

C'mon man...

Per Shmessy:

"So you actually believe "Houston/New England is a bigger draw than LA/Chicago"???????
You think the #5 vs #11 major Metropolitan markets are greater draws than the #2 and #3............
And that the game between the #2 and #3 - which is the only one where a Super Bowl Champion Quarterback is playing - is a better draw than the #5 vs #11 game???
Interesting universe you live in."

PostGame Thread Post in thread '2025 OFFICIAL Patriots Wild Card PostGame Thread: Patriots win 16-3'

Jan 12, 2026

This one

So you actually believe "Houston/New England is a bigger draw than LA/Chicago"???????

You think the #5 vs #11 major Metropolitan markets are greater draws than the #2 and #3............

And that the game between the #2 and #3 - which is the only one where a Super Bowl Champion Quarterback is playing - is a better draw than the #5 vs #11 game???

Interesting universe you live in.

.

• shmessy