NFL Week 2 Overnights: Sunday Up 3% Overall; NBC's "SNF" Down

Saints-Rams was in 81% of markets late yesterday afternoon, drawing a 15.8 overnight on FoxGETTY IMAGES

The NFL saw its Sunday aggregate overnight rating rise 3% in Week 2, boosted by Fox’ best figure for a regional window since ’13. Fox saw 52% of markets get Cowboys-Redskins in that early regional window yesterday, helping the net to an 11.4 overnight. In the national window, Fox had Saints-Rams in the majority of markets (81%) late yesterday afternoon, drawing a 15.8 overnight. Meanwhile, CBS in the singleheader window yesterday drew a 9.9 overnight, led by Chiefs-Raiders. K.C. was the top market for CBS, drawing a 39.6 local rating. Buffalo was the No. 2 market (36.4), with Bills-Giants also part of the singleheader. Boston was No. 3 at a 33.0 local rating with the Patriots’ 43-0 win over the Dolphins on CBS. Last night, NBC drew a 12.2 overnight for Eagles-Falcons, marking the lowest-rated Week 2 “SNF” since ’08, when Steelers-Browns drew an 11.8. Eagles-Falcons is down 12% from Giants-Cowboys on NBC last year. Philadelphia led all markets with a 32.6 local rating last night, followed by Atlanta (22.3) and New Orleans (19.6) (Austin Karp, THE DAILY). YAHOO SPORTS' Jay Busbee writes Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes is "turning into a major ratings play" despite there being "little doubt of the outcome" of Chiefs-Raiders (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 9/16).

Download the NFL Week 2 Overnight Ratings

GETTING THE START: THE ATHLETIC's Richard Deitsch noted broadcaster Brandon Gaudin, the play-by-play voice of EA Sports' "Madden" franchise, made his "NFL broadcast debut yesterday for Fox Sports." Gaudin called Cardinals-Ravens with analyst Cris Carter and sideline reporter Peter Schrager, and he "sounded as if he belonged at this level." Gaudin's standup with Carter to start the game "was smooth." He said that he "wanted to find early chemistry with Carter." Deitsch: "From this vantage point they did very well for a first-time team." Gaudin has a "strong voice, the ability to raise his level when a play calls for it, and was able to lead Carter throughout the game to play on Carter's strengths" (THEATHLETIC.com, 9/16).

FINDING HIS GROOVE: In Buffalo, Alan Pergament writes CBS NFL analyst Trent Green was "in 'rhythm' throughout" Bills-Giants yesterday. Pergament: "I've never heard him better." Green was "strong analyzing" Bills QB Josh Allen's "improvement from a year ago." He was "describing replays and even taking on" play-by-play man Greg Gumbel's role by "asking CBS' referee expert Gene Steratore about a debatable call." Green was also "willing to criticize Allen" and Giants QB Eli Manning after they "made some bad decisions, something some quarterbacks-turned-announcers don't do" (BUFFALO NEWS, 9/16).

MONDAY NIGHT MENU: In N.Y., Bob Raissman wrote tonight will be a "huge test" for Joe Tessitore and Booger McFarland as they call Jets-Browns on ESPN. The storylines for the "MNF" matchup are "like neon Times Square billboards." Raissman: "Sam Darnold’s mono. Can Trevor Siemian come to the rescue? Odell Beckham Jr., returning to Jersey, calling out Jets defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. Then there’s OBJ’s $300,000 watch and the lingering possibility of some type of antics during the game. No reason for Tessitore and McFarland to sit on this stuff early in the tilt" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 9/15).

NEW CONTRIBUTOR: In Akron, Craig Webb notes retired NFL official John Parry, who joined the "MNF" team this season, "couldn’t think of a better time to hang up his striped shirt" following his 19th season last year. Parry, who worked three Super Bowls, wanted to "try something new and perhaps spend a bit more time at home." ESPN "MNF" producer Jay Rothman said that the timing "could not be more perfect to add Parry into the mix as the game is scrutinized and dissected play by play and frame by frame." He said that the plan is "not only to look to Parry for guidance on Monday night, ... but throughout the week on other ESPN programs such as 'SportsCenter.'” Parry’s mic "will be live and he’s free to weigh in anytime he wants" (AKRON BEACON JOURNAL, 9/16).