The Patriots appear to be immune to the NFL's ratings struggles. Even though ratings for the Divisional Round were down this year nationally, the Patriots' blowout win over the Titans Saturday was their highest-rated game of the season.
The game garnered a local household rating of 43.5, according to the team's press release. That figure represents a 3.1 percent increase over last year's Divisional Round matchup against the Texans, which was a bit more competitive. Saturday's affair was effectively over when Tom Brady connected with Chris Hogan in the end zone in the second quarter, giving New England a 21-7 lead.
Overall, the NFL is bracing for its lowest-rated Divisional Round since 2009, per Sports Business Daily's Austin Karp. Those numbers are especially disheartening, because three of the four games this weekend were one possession contests and featured incredible finishes.
As Sports Illustrated's Richard Deitsch points out, the conference championships and Super Bowl used to be unaffected by ratings trends.
If that's not the case this year, additional anxiety will likely spread through the league offices.
