NFL ratings: Patriots vs. Texans becomes most-watched event in ESPN history as league continues to shatter records
No Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson or Joe Burrow in the NFL playoffs? No problem. Despite some of the biggest names in the sport not taking part in the postseason, the NFL continues to set new viewership records this season.
The league's latest accomplishment came Sunday, as the New England Patriots vs. the Houston Texans became the most-watched event in ESPN history. A whopping 38 million viewers tuned into the contest, which saw the Patriots force four interceptions against Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud during a 28-16 win.
ESPN's telecast of Sunday's Texans-Patriots matchup became the most-watched event in ESPN history, dating back to the network's launch in 1979, with 38 million viewers. The game also ranks as Disney's most-watched sporting event outside of the Super Bowl across nearly three... pic.twitter.com/KtOwBryjc9
- Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 22, 2026
The game also was Disney's most-watched sporting event outside the Super Bowl. That wasn't the only record set by the league that day, though. The late-night contest between the Chicago Bears and the Los Angeles Rams became the most-watched divisional-round game ever, bringing in an average of 45.4 million viewers.
Blockbuster Audience for Rams-Bears NFL Divisional Playoff Sets NBC Sports Recordhttps://t.co/I93QvxLE53pic.twitter.com/cNxY1wIMeP
- NBC Sports PR (@NBCSportsPR) January 22, 2026
The continues a phenomenal run for the league, which also saw record numbers on Thanksgiving ... and at many other points throughout the season. All told, the league turned in its best viewership numbers since 1989.
The record-setting playoff numbers are even more impressive considering the elite players not taking part in the divisional round. If fans are already coming out in record numbers to watch Drake Maye, Caleb Williams and all the other young quarterbacks who played over the weekend, the league should be poised to set even more records as those players continue to improve over the course of their careers.