Baltimore led all markets with a 16.9 local rating for Thursday's game, while Chicago drew a 10.6getty images
NBC drew a 4.7 overnight rating for Thursday night's Pro Football HOF game, which featured Ravens-Bears. That figure is down 13% from a 5.4 for Cowboys-Cardinals last year, which was the first time the HOF game aired on a weeknight. The 4.7 is down 32% from a 6.9 for Vikings-Steelers in '15, which aired on a Sunday night. The '16 game was canceled due to poor field conditions. The '14 Giants-Bills HOF game on NBC drew a 5.8 overnight, while Cowboys-Dolphins in '13 drew a 6.7. Despite the drop from recent years, Bears-Ravens on Thursday night delivered a primetime win for NBC. Ravens-Bills peaked early in the telecast, drawing a 5.3 rating from 8:30-9:00pm ET. Baltimore led all markets with a 16.9 local rating, while New Orleans drew an 11.8 and Chicago drew a 10.6. Rounding out the top five were Richmond (8.1) and Norfolk (7.6) (Austin Karp, Assistant Managing Editor).
RAPID REACTION: SiriusXM's Eddie Trunk: "I know even for hard core @NFL fans pre season is rough to watch. Especially HOF game. But it’s still great to know the real games are close, hear Al Michaels, and have the sights & sounds knowing the real season is near." The Harrisburg Patriot-News' Brian Linder: "I've missed football. I haven't missed Chris Collinsworth." Late in the game, ESPN's Ben Fawkes wrote, "Who is still watching the HOF game just for the potential Al Michaels gambling reference here?"
