If you watched the Green Bay Packers/Dallas Cowboys playoff game you were one in 48.5 million people to do so. That set a record for the most TV viewers ever for any kind of a football playoff game. The seventh game of this year’s world series drew 40 million. TV ratings have fallen a bit for prime-time regular season broadcasts particularly on Thursday and Monday nights. So far the NFL playoffs have been big TV ratings winners. There has been some criticism of pro football over-exposing itself but the viewer level in pro football is still the strongest in all sports.
It was a good weekend for football fans. The Steelers/ Chiefs match-up was exciting but the Packers/Cowboys game will go down as one of the great playoff games of all time. The Cowboys played a great game and came back to tie from 18 points down. With 36 seconds to go, Aaron Rogers got the Pack down to the 41 yard line, and with 3 seconds left, Green Bay kicker Mason Crosby nailed a 51 yard field goal for the win. Rogers’ once again showed that he is currently the game’s best player. After the game there were Cowboys fans who were saying they should have pulled rookie quarterback Dak Prescott and put in Tony Romo but in all honesty Romo could not have done any better job than Prescott did. It was just the Packers’ night.
Next weekend it’s the Steelers vs. the Patriots at New England and the Packers vs. the Falcons in Atlanta. I would love to see a an old school Packers vs Steelers game— I can only hope.
Pat McAfee has to have knee surgery and will not be able to play in the Pro Bowl as a punter. Bears rookie running back will replace injured David Johnson of the Cardinals on the Pro Bowl Squad.
Apparently Colt owner Jimmy Irsay talked to both John Gruden and Peyton Manning about joining the team last week. Gruden was offered the head coaching job but turned it down. Irsay wants Peyton with the club in some capacity. General Manger, President, Director of Player Personnel — something. Peyton didn’t exactly turn him down but he didn’t say yes, either. Most insiders are saying that it’s not going to happen or at least not this year.