By Avnish Singh 
Week 1 of the NFL season was nothing short of a spectacle. From high-profile matchups to a surprise Taylor Swift cameo, and of course, Tom Brady’s debut in the broadcast booth, it all came together to draw in 21 million viewers per game—a new record for the league.
Chiefs vs. Ravens Steals the Show
The Kansas City Chiefs’ 27-20 victory over the Baltimore Ravens in a rematch of last year’s AFC Championship drew the most attention, with 29.2 million fans tuning in on NBC and Peacock. Sure, the game was hyped, but it was the combination of an intense rivalry and Swift’s appearance that pushed it over the edge. Love her or not, when Swift shows up, so do millions of extra eyes.
Eagles, Packers, and Friday Night Lights… In Brazil?
In a twist nobody saw coming, the Philadelphia Eagles took on the Green Bay Packers in Brazil for the NFL’s first Friday night Week 1 game in 54 years. Brazil might seem like an odd choice for a debut international game, but it paid off, drawing in 14 million viewers on Peacock. The international stage wasn’t just a gimmick—it was a chance for the NFL to see how far its reach can go, and from the looks of it, the results were more than promising.
Brady in the Booth
If you thought Tom Brady was done making headlines after his retirement, think again. His first game as an analyst for Fox, during the Dallas Cowboys’ 33-17 win over the Cleveland Browns, was one of the most watched of the week, pulling in 23.93 million viewers. Say what you will about Brady—people can’t seem to get enough of him, whether he’s on the field or behind the mic.
Networks Cashing In
Week 1 was a big win for the networks, too. CBS saw 17.79 million people tune in for their Sunday games, while Fox wasn’t far behind with 18.64 million. Without a competing doubleheader this year, Fox had more room to shine, and the numbers reflect that.
Not Everything Was Perfect
Monday Night Football, which featured the San Francisco 49ers vs. New York Jets, didn’t hit the same highs as last year’s opener. With 20.4 million viewers, it was still a solid number, but down from last year when the shocking Aaron Rodgers injury had people glued to their screens. To make matters worse, a carriage dispute with Disney left DirecTV customers in some markets unable to watch.
What Does It All Mean?
The NFL just had its biggest opening week ever. It’s more than just numbers—it shows how the league continues to evolve and find new ways to keep fans engaged. Whether it’s experimenting with international games or bringing legends like Brady into the booth, the NFL keeps giving fans something to talk about. And it’s only Week 1! With Amazon Prime stepping into the action on September 12 for the Bills vs. Dolphins game, we’ve got a lot more drama ahead.
Week 1 felt like the NFL was throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks—and most of it did. If this is how the season starts, imagine where we’ll be come playoffs.
