NFL Week 1 ratings up 5% over last year
By The Associated Press - Sep. 11, 2019 09:17 AM EDT
Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) runs the ball for a touchdown after getting past New York Giants outside linebacker Alec Ogletree, center bottom, and Janoris Jenkins, right, as wide receiver Tavon Austin, rear, looks on in the second half of a NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) runs the ball for a touchdown after getting past New York Giants outside linebacker Alec Ogletree, center bottom, and Janoris Jenkins, right, as wide receiver Tavon Austin, rear, looks on in the second half of a NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Bud Dupree sacks New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, left, in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Oakland Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Monday, Sept. 9, 2019, in Oakland, Calif. At right is running back Alec Ingold (45). (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
New Orleans Saints kicker Wil Lutz (3) kicks a 58 yard field goal as Thomas Morstead (6) holds, at the end of regulation, in the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans in New Orleans, Monday, Sept. 9, 2019. The Saints won 30-28. (AP Photo/Bill Feig)
Green Bay Packers' Adrian Amos intercepts a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Thursday, Sept. 5, 2019, in Chicago. The Packers won 10-3. (AP Photo/David Banks)
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The NFL's opening weekend to its 100th season delivered strong ratings for all games.

The league and Nielsen said Wednesday there was an average of 17.1 million viewers for games, which is a 5% increase over last year.

The New York Giants game against the Dallas Cowboys on Fox averaged 23.9 million, making it the network's most-watched opener since 2016.

NBC's "Sunday Night Football" — Pittsburgh Steelers at New England Patriots — as well as the Sept. 5 kickoff game between the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears each averaged 22.2 million. This is the first time both network games on opening weekend posted increases since 2015.

ESPN's "Monday Night Football" doubleheader was the most watched in four years. The early game between the Houston Texans and New Orleans Saints was the most-watched program on cable Monday (13 million) while the Denver Broncos-Oakland Raiders game was second (10.6 million).

CBS' games, mostly in the 1 p.m. EDT window, were down 4% from last season.

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