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NFL Kickoff Ratings Down Yet Again as Chiefs Embarrass Pats at Home

The countdown to Thursday night’s kickoff was filled with anticipation. But not as much as previous NFL kickoff games as New England-Kansas City drew a significantly lower number.

The Pats-Chiefs opener earned the lowest rating for an opening game since 2009 (Titans-Steelers.)

It will take a few weeks to determine whether or not the NFL’s ratings slide is a continuing trend. Last season’s overall ratings were down 8%. Last night’s rating woes could be due to so much coverage of Hurricane Irma. It could also be that the Chiefs on the surface are not a splashy draw. Had the matchup been Green Bay aka Brady vs. Rodgers the ratings could have looked quite different.