ESPN drew an 8.9 overnight rating for the Packers' 38-28 win over the Chiefs last night on "MNF," down from a 9.2 overnight for Bears-Jets in Week 3 last year and down from a 10.3 for Raiders-Broncos in '13. The Packers jumped out to a 31-7 lead midway through the third quarter, leading to an 11.1 peak rating during both the 9:30-9:45pm ET and 9:45-10:00pm windows. Milwaukee led all markets with a 47.6 local rating for the game (13.1 on ESPN, 34.5 on WISN-ABC). K.C. ranked second with a 30.0 local rating (10.6 on ESPN, 19.4 on KMBC-ABC). While the rating dropped from recent years, last night's game was the third-best "MNF" audience yet on WatchESPN. The 651,000 unique viewers for Chiefs-Packers ranks behind only this year's opening doubleheader (Austin Karp, Assistant Managing Editor).
HOT TAKE: THE MMQB's Richard Deitsch writes one pregame show that "has stood above of the rest at times has been ESPN’s 'NFL Insiders,' and the reason it stands out is because it has avoided most of the obvious markers we see on sports television." The show "was built on the principle of no ex-players or coaches, which eliminated a lot of NFL-speak." They also "approach fantasy football intelligently -- Matthew Berry gets significant airtime and the tips are smart." It is a "very palatable watch and in today’s crowded pregame space, that’s a win." That said, the appearance of Stephen A. Smith "for a segment called 'Tell Me I’m Wrong' should trouble" viewers because he "doesn’t cover the league on a daily basis and adds little to a serious football show." Deitsch: "So why is he here?" Smith is "supported by high-ranking ESPN management figures" and also "understands television very well and how to rile an audience." But Deitsch writes, "If you are going to use him on the NFL, use him on 'Sunday NFL Countdown' or 'Monday Night Countdown,' shows that invite big opinions" (MMQB.SI.com, 9/29).
WELL WISHES: ESPN football analyst Merril Hoge yesterday on the net said that he will be "taking some time off to undergo heart surgery." He added that he will "miss about a month." In a statement, ESPN said the surgery is to repair a vessel (AWFULANNOUNCING.com, 9/28).
