The ratings for the NFL’s “Thursday Night Football” game dropped 5 percent over the week prior amid the ongoing national anthem debate.
The Philadelphia Eagles beat the Carolina Panthers 28-23 in North Carolina. According to Deadline, the overnight ratings earned a 10.6/18 in metered market results. (RELATED: ‘Thursday Night Football’ Ratings Up Over Last Week)
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Nelson Agholor (13) runs in for a touchdown after a catch in the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium, Oct. 12, 2017, in Charlotte, N.C. Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
That’s down over the prior week for the game between the New England Patriots and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which was up 12 percent over the week earlier. The numbers were actually up 7 percent over the previous year for the AFC West match-up between the Denver Broncos and the San Diego Chargers, which saw a 4.7/17 rating and 14.49 million viewers.
Before last week’s game, the players and coaches held a moment of silence to honor the victims who were killed in the Las Vegas massacre. All the Buccaneers and Patriots players stood for the national anthem.
Attempting to skirt the matter, CBS and the National Football League network opted not to air the national anthem, so the TV audience missed the Panthers all standing together during the song and several Eagles players raising a fist in the air as a sign of unity.