NBC Sees Best "SNF" Rating Of Season For Saints-Cowboys Matchup

Saints-Cowboys last night drew the best rating for a Week 4 “SNF” matchup since ’12getty images

The Saints’ 12-10 victory over the Cowboys last night on NBC delivered a 15.5 overnight rating, marking the net's best "SNF" figure of the season. Last night’s rating is up 26% over Ravens-Steelers on NBC last year and marks the best Week 4 “SNF” number since ’12. New Orleans was the top market last night, delivering a 57.0 rating locally, followed by Dallas with a 38.2. San Antonio (31.1), Austin (28.8) and Albuquerque (23.6) round out the top five. The late afternoon national window provided another cross-flex for CBS, which sent Vikings-Bears to 88% of homes, drawing a 13.0 overnight rating. That is up 6% from Saints-Giants in the same window last year on CBS. The net’s regional coverage drew a 9.3, up 1% from last year. Fox drew a 10.8 overnight for its singleheader coverage, down 7.7% from last year. After the first quarter of the season, CBS’ NFL coverage is up 5% year-over-year, while Fox' is up 4%. (David Rumsey, THE DAILY).

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SWING AND A MISS: In Chicago, Rosenthal & Bannon note CBS' Tony Romo missing the cut at the PGA Tour Safeway Open on Friday allowed him to "fly to Chicago by private jet to join the rest of the CBS crew doing prep work Saturday" ahead of calling Vikings-Bears yesterday. During the game, Romo said, "It was great playing for a day and then (to) come back to earth on the next day. You know it was because I wanted to be here. I had to throw off a few putts. I didn't want to miss Minnesota-Chicago" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 9/30). In N.Y., Bob Raissman writes when Romo "asked for the option to miss a football assignment, CBS suits should have said 'absolutely not.'" If CBS "doesn't now question Romo's commitment to the football job that's cool, but others are." Raissman: "They should be." By "rolling over for Romo and granting his request, CBS Sports established two sets of rules; one for Romo, another for the rest of their NFL analysts" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 9/29).

TOUGH CALL: THE ATHLETIC's Richard Deitsch wrote Fox Sports NFL rules analyst Dean Blandino and TV analyst Charles Davis did a "great job ... on an overturned touchdown catch" by Lions WR Kenny Golladay during the Chiefs-Lions broadcast yesterday. At first, Davis "immediately let viewers know that the issue at hand was whether Golladay had completed the process of the catch and that the booth would automatically look at it." The touchdown was "ultimately overturned after an informed back and forth with the broadcasters on a close call." Deitsch wrote Davis was "particularly terrific" yesterday. He "educated viewers on most of the controversial plays ... as well as smaller things like analyzing the position of defensive backs or praising offensive line play when deserving." Davis has an "easy manner that allows his play-by-play partner (Kevin Burkhardt) to excel" (THEATHLETIC.com, 9/29).

SHINY NEW TOYS: In Chicago, Rosenthal & Bannon note CBS yesterday "experimented" with new "robotic 360-degree sideline cameras it has developed" during Vikings-Bears. The cameras are "sort of like mobile pylon cams that can be planted wherever they're likely to be most useful," and they "yielded a couple of interesting shots during the game." So many of these "innovations are all branding and no use." CBS should be "applauded for skipping the hype" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 9/30).

ALL-TIMERS: USA TODAY's O'Toole & Shuster ranked their "top 50 broadcasters" in NFL history, "chosen by accomplishment, reputation, longevity, significance and, admittedly, personal preference." The late John Facenda came in as No. 1, with Pat Summerall, John Madden, Howard Cosell and Don Meredith rounding out the top five (USA TODAY, 9/30).