The NFL's season opener between the Broncos and the Super Bowl Champion Ravens drew the worst rating for an NFL opener since 2009's Titans-Steelers matchup. EVERYONE FREAK OUT!

Well, don't freak out too much. The game drew a 16.2 overnight rating, smashing the crap out of everything else that aired on broadcast television last night. The game's 10.4 overnight rating in adults 18-49 from 9 to 11 was 20% higher than last year's 8.7 for the Cowboys and Giants.

There likely will be tweaks when the final numbers come out due to how long the game ran, concluding at 12:25 AM. But freaking out over the loss of 1.5 overnight ratings points from 2010 to 2013 isn't exactly a wise move, considering it's only a 9% decline over four years.

It'll be interesting to see the final ratings numbers later today, but I'm sure the NFL isn't concerned at all. Considering that this game, the lowest over the last four seasons, has the fourth highest overnight for the season opener in 12 games going back to 2002, I'd say the NFL is very content with the numbers.

[TV by the Numbers]

About Joe Lucia

I hate your favorite team. I also sort of hate most of my favorite teams.

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