Odell Beckham Jr. is one of several high-profile stars to return from injury this seasonGETTY IMAGES
A "wealth of cliffhangers," high scores and the return of some big-name players are among the reasons for the "turnaround" of NFL ratings through Week 5, according to sources cited by Richard Morgan of the N.Y. POST. For the "first time in NFL history, at least one game in each of the first five weeks has gone into overtime." High-scoring affairs are also "helping the game." Experts said that touchdowns "appeal to viewers in general and to fantasy football players in particular." Another helpful factor is the stars who have "recovered from last year's injuries" that are "bringing viewers back," such as Texans DE J.J. Watt, Giants WR Odell Beckham Jr. and Packers QB Aaron Rodgers (N.Y. POST, 10/9). USA TODAY's Wynn & Kelly take a deep dive into NFL ratings and note the general trend of "good home football overcoming politics proved true in market after market" over the past few seasons, even in the "deepest of Trump country." There is "not much evidence" that player protests during the national anthem have any "real-time impact on football viewing." Institute for Diversity & Ethics in Sports Founder & Dir Richard Lapchick: "It underlines the fact that fans either are coming back or they aren't going away. Maybe it didn't have as big of an impact as [Trump] said he did" (USATODAY.com, 10/9).
STILL STRONG AT OLD HOME: In San Diego, Jay Posner noted the local market drew a 13.8 rating for Sunday's Raiders-Chargers on San Deigo-based KFMB-CBS, which is the "best of three telecasts here this season that face other NFL competition." The second afternoon game, Rams-Seahawks, drew a 5.8 local rating on KSWB-Fox. The same two games also aired in L.A., where Rams-Seahawks had an 11.4 local rating -- double the 5.7 for Raiders-Chargers. The five Chargers games this season have averaged a 13.9 local rating in San Diego, "not far off" the 14.2 average for all of last season (SANDIEGOUNIONTRIBUNE.com, 10/8).
WE INTERRUPT THIS BROADCAST: SI.com's Dan Gartland noted Giants-Panthers viewers who were not in the N.Y. or Carolina markets on Sunday were "bumped" to the Vikings-Eagles national window game right at 4:25pm ET, just as Panthers K Graham Gano was "lining up for the kick" that won the game. Broadcast rules have long "required broadcasters to switch" right at 4:25pm, "late-game drama be damned." Gartland: "I wish the networks were given more leeway. No, a broadcaster shouldn't show the rest of an out-of-market overtime game at the expense of getting to the late game on time, but a single game-changing play like Gano's kick is a totally different situation" (SI.com, 10/8).
SOUTHERN COMFORT: ESPN Feature Producer Zac Budman said that his team "worked to keep the focus tight" on Beckham while he talked about the Giants in his sit-down interview with rapper Lil Wayne and ESPN's Josina Anderson. SI.com's Jacob Feldman noted Wayne's presence "still adds something, his knowing nods lending authenticity to Beckham's critical words." Fans "wanting to hear more" from Lil Wayne will be "glad to know that ESPN plans to put the entire conversation, stretching nearly an hour, on its YouTube page." Anderson said of the interview, "My observation was that (Beckham) appreciated being heard and understood. That's what was especially unique about this opportunity, pairing him with Lil Wayne, who comes from the same area code, who can relate to being misunderstood and who has also worked through his own adversity" (SI.com, 10/8).
