If it seems like there are the same teams in primetime games, that’s probably because it’s true. Certain teams just draw more viewers whether it’s because of market size, star power, or a national following. That’s why we get the Giants on Sunday Night Football even though they haven’t been a good football team for a few years now. It’s why the Packers and Steelers are often scheduled at marquee teams. This Sunday there are two late games. There’s the Titans-Jaguars AFC South shown and there’s the Cowboys traveling to Foxborough to take on the Patriots. Take on guess on which game will be more watched.
As long as the Cowboys-Patriots matchup remains close, it should generate some amazing ratings. The Cowboys are one of — if not the — most popular football team in the country. They have fans outside of Dallas who have probably never even stepped foot in Texas. They are “America’s Team.”
The Patriots are the team of the current century — not just the team of the decade. They have one of the greatest coaches of all time. They have one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. They are the evil empire that opposing fans hate — and are jealous of — because of how much they win.
Both teams are from major markets. Both have a national following. They generate great viewership numbers when they don’t play each other.
Q: How many of the ten most-watched NFL regular season games of this century featured either the Cowboys or the Patriots?
A: All ten
— Michael Mulvihill (@mulvihill79) November 20, 2019
So Fox should be excited. The NFL should be excited. Ratings will be through the roof. Now if they could only figure out a way to have these two teams meet in the Super Bowl.