The College Football Playoff (CFP) grabs a lot of attention with its big games and wild finishes. Still, the NFL is, well, the NFL—it just keeps pulling in bigger crowds. This past weekend, both leagues had two games each, and the numbers were pretty telling.
The CFP had its share of excitement, but the NFL’s grip on viewers was obvious. Ratings were much higher for the pro games, and it’s hard not to see why the league still sits on the sports throne.
Weekend Ratings Showdown: NFL vs. College Football Playoff
Saturday was packed with big games from both leagues. But, honestly, the NFL blew college football out of the water.
For starters, 15.46 million people tuned in to watch the Philadelphia Eagles clinch the NFC East against the Washington Commanders. It was a close one until late, which probably helped keep folks glued to their screens.
College Football Playoff’s Struggles
Meanwhile, the CFP’s opener—Ole Miss versus Tulane—pulled in just 6.2 million viewers. Ole Miss dominated from the jump, and the lack of suspense didn’t help the ratings at all.
Some fans are starting to get pretty vocal about wanting changes to the CFP setup. For more details, you can read the full article on Newsweek.
Prime Time Dominance: NFL Takes the Night
The NFL didn’t slow down as the day went on. The Chicago Bears’ wild comeback against the Green Bay Packers pulled in a massive 21.34 million viewers.
That game went into overtime, and the Bears sealed it with a walk-off win. It was easily one of the more entertaining regular-season games this year—classic NFL drama.
College Football’s Night Struggles
Later, college football’s nightcap—Oregon vs. James Madison—just didn’t catch fire. Only 4.4 million people watched as Oregon ran away with it.
Maybe some college fans would argue the best game was earlier in the day, but the ratings kind of speak for themselves, don’t they?
The Day’s Biggest CFP Game
There was one bright spot for the CFP, though. Texas A&M and Miami played a defensive slugfest that drew 14.8 million viewers—the best for any CFP game that day.
Miami’s win sets them up against defending champs Ohio State. That matchup adds a bit of extra buzz to the playoff picture.
Calls for CFP Overhaul
The big gap in ratings between the NFL and CFP is sparking even more talk about changing the playoff format. People want games that are closer and more exciting—something to really pull in bigger crowds.
Why the NFL Continues to Dominate
So why does the NFL keep winning the ratings battle? A lot of it comes down to how the league keeps things interesting. The NFL’s salary cap and draft system make sure teams stay competitive, so fans actually care about most games.
Marketing and Media Presence
The NFL’s also a marketing machine. They know how to spin stories and build up rivalries that keep people talking.
From epic comebacks to personal player stories, the league just knows how to hook you in.
Accessibility and Convenience
And, let’s be honest, it’s just easier to watch the NFL. Games are spread out, so you can always catch one, and the league’s deals with major networks make sure almost everyone can tune in.
The Future of College Football Playoff
The CFP isn’t out of options, though. There’s room for growth if the folks in charge are willing to shake things up.
Potential Changes
Some ideas floating around? Expanding the playoff field to bring in more teams. That could mean tighter, more exciting games.
Better scheduling and marketing wouldn’t hurt either. Maybe that’s what it’ll take to get more people to watch.
Engaging the Next Generation
Reaching younger fans is going to be a big deal for the CFP, too. That probably means more social media, more digital content, and meeting people where they already are online.
Conclusion
The ratings battle between the NFL and the College Football Playoff says a lot about how Americans watch sports. The NFL just keeps pulling in huge numbers, and honestly, it’s tough to argue with the drama they serve up every week.
College football has its flashes of brilliance. Still, the NFL usually feels bigger and somehow more reliable for excitement. But who knows? Maybe the playoff format will change and surprise us all one day.
If you want to dig into the ratings yourself, check out the full article on Newsweek.
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