This wasn't how the NFL hoped to start the 2020 season.

According to initial reports by Deadline, the season opener game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Houston Texans rated a 5.2 among adults 18-49, which is the key demographic for advertisers.

The preliminary total number of viewers for the game on Thursday night, which aired on NBC,  was 16.4 million viewers. Still, with the drop in viewers, NBC still dominated other networks in Thursday night programming.

Last year the NFL opened their 2019 season with 22 million viewers.

So, the big question now is what caused the decline in viewers and will this become a trend for the entire 2020-21 season?

Some on social media have suggested that fans are walking away from the sport because of the "politics" being incorporated into it. Others say that the NBA Playoffs may have taken viewers away from the NFL season opener.

Something else to consider, the game between Kansas City and Houston never really was close, but it WAS the season-opener.

The preliminary numbers will most likely be adjusted as they breakdown the quarter hours, but will most likely not be enough to surpass the ratings of 2019.

The true story will most likely come after all games have been played this weekend and Monday night of next week. Will we see aa decline in those numbers? We'll just have to wait and see.

 

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