NFL Wild-Card Games Draw Biggest Audience Since 2016

 (AP) — The NFL wild-card playoff games were the most watched opening weekend in four years.

The four games averaged 30.5 million viewers, which was a 7% increase over last season, boosted by one-score finishes, including a pair that went into overtime.

Seattle's 17-9 victory over Philadelphia on NBC — which was the final game of the weekend — drew the most viewers as it averaged 35.8 million, according to Nielsen and Abode Analytics. That also makes it television's most-watched show since last year's Super Bowl.

The late Sunday afternoon matchup was also the most watched wild-card game featuring a West Coast team since San Francisco vs. Green Bay in 2014.

Saturday night's Tennessee-New England game on CBS averaged 31.42 million viewers. Viewership of the Titans' 20-13 victory was up 1% from the last time the network had a prime-time AFC first-round game, when Pittsburgh-Cincinnati in 2016 drew 31.23 million.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) reacts as he walks off the field after their overtime win over the New Orleans Saints in an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020, in New Orleans. The Vikings won 26-20. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Minnesota's 26-20 victory in overtime at New Orleans on Fox — the early game on Sunday — averaged 30.79 million viewers, making it the network's most watched game since last year's NFC championship game between the Saints and Los Angeles Rams.

Houston's 22-19 OT victory over Buffalo on ESPN and ABC Saturday averaged 26.41 million, making it the most-viewed NFL wild-card game since they started airing the opening postseason game in 2015.

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