• Loading stock data...
Sunday, July 13, 2025

The Most Watched Sunday Night Football Games of All Time

  • The Cowboys are featured in five of the most-watched Sunday night games.
  • Tom Brady’s reunion game against the Patriots is one of two games with over 28 million viewers.
Oct 29, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Jac Collinsworth (left), Tony Dungy (center) and Rodney Harrison on the Sunday Night Football Final set at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Regardless of any legal or PR blowback stemming from its Sunday Ticket lawsuit case, the NFL remains the most profitable sports league in America, with primetime broadcasts playing a large part.

The most-watched Sunday Night Football game is the 2012 matchup between Dallas and Washington, drawing 30.3 million American viewers.

The division rivals met in Week 17 that year, with a playoff spot for Dallas and the NFC East for Washington on the line. It received an 18.3 Nielsen rating, the highest rating for a primetime NFL game in 15 years.

Washington knocked off the Cowboys 28-18 to deny them a playoff spot and win the NFC East.

Living up to their billing as America’s Team, the Cowboys appear in five of the most-watched Sunday Night Football games of all time.

In those games, an average of 27.24 million viewers tuned in to catch the Cowboys in primetime. Two of their matchups over the years with the Giants, also division rivals, have gained over 26 million viewers.

The 2021 matchup of the Bucs and Patriots is the second-most-watched Sunday Night football game, gaining 28.5 million reported viewers in the U.S.

In the build-up to the game, New England legend Tom Brady was set to make his highly-anticipated return to Foxboro Stadium. Tampa Bay barely escaped with a win on the road, 19-17, and the game earned a 14.6 Nielsen rating. 

Five matchups from 2023 are featured among the 10 most-watched Sunday Night Football games. Only one matchup from last season made the cut, the division-deciding season finale between the Vikings and the Lions.

Ranking The Most Watched Sunday Night Football Games

Here is the list of the top 10 most-watched Sunday Night Football games based on average U.S. viewership. The list was compiled using historical data from SportsMediaWatch.

  • Updated: April 15th, 2025
RankingYearMatchupFinal ScoreReported U.S. Viewership
12012Washington vs Cowboys28-18 Redskins30.3 million
22021Bucs vs Patriots19-17 Bucs28.5 million
32015Giants vs Cowboys27-26 Cowboys26.8 million
42023Chiefs vs Jets23-20 Chiefs26.7 million
52023Eagles vs Cowboys33-13 Cowboys26.5 million
62016Cowboys vs Giants10-7 Giants26.5 million
72015Seahawks vs Packers27-17 Packers26.4 million
8202349ers vs Seahawks28-16 49ers26.4 million
92023Cowboys vs 49ers42-10 49ers26.1 million
102024Vikings vs Lions31-9 Lions25.8 million

Related lists:

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

NFL

30 NFL Second-Rounders Still Unsigned With Camps Set to Open

Saturday is the earliest rookie report date for training camp.

Najee Harris Contract Situation Unclear Following Fireworks Injury

The running back signed a one-year, $5.25 million contract with the Chargers in March.
Jeff Kaplan

Letting PE Invest in Family-Owned Teams Is a ‘Watershed’

Liquidity gives owners greater flexibility to manage salary cap.

NFL Likely to Stay With CBS, Targeting Mass Renegotiation in 2029

The league instead looks toward a broader set of contract opt-outs.

Featured Today

May 31, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Sydney McLaughin-Levrone (USA) reacts before the women's 100m hurdles during the Grand Slam Track Philadelphia at Franklin Field
exclusive

Track’s New Money Is Running Into Old Problems

The sport’s big-money era has hit some speed bumps in 2025.
Bobbleheads are seen at Vintage Indy Sports, Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Speedway. The local sports memorabilia store opened recently.
July 12, 2025

Baseball’s Bobbleheads Are the Center of the Collectibles Universe

Baseball’s most important keepsake drives long lines—and big business.
Rimouski, QC - JUNE 1: Final Game of the 2025 Memorial Cup between the Medicine Hats Tigers and the London Knights on June 1, 2025, at the Colisée Financière Sun Life in Rimouski, Qc.
July 11, 2025

CHL Is Facing a ‘Pandora’s Box’ of Questions Amid NCAA Talent Departure

As players defect to college, the Canadian Hockey League won’t cede ground.
Jun 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) bats during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field.
July 9, 2025

The Torpedo Bat Business Is Still Going Strong: ‘Here to Stay’

Demand for the oddly shaped bats has stayed strong across the sport.
Paige Bueckers
exclusive
July 8, 2025

Women’s March Madness Expansion Wouldn’t Yield More ESPN Money

ESPN is not required to pay extra if women’s March Madness expands.
Jul 10, 2025; Wimbledon, United Kingdom; Iga Swiatek of Poland at her on court interview after winning her match against Belinda Bencic of Switzerland on day 11 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.
July 10, 2025

Wimbledon Set to Deliver Strong Finals Matchup for ESPN

Novak Djokovic is still in the hunt for his 25th Grand Slam.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
Feb 7, 2025; Storrs, Connecticut, USA; UConn Huskies center Tarris Reed Jr. (5) reacts after his basket against the St. John's Red Storm in the first half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion.
July 8, 2025

After Decade Apart, ESPN and Big East Rekindle Media Rights Relationship

After a decade-plus apart, the network will stream hundreds of conference events.
Jul 6, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Mexico forward Marcel Ruiz (14) heads the ball in front of United States midfielder Brenden Aaronson (11) in the second half during the 2025 Gold Cup Final at NRG Stadium.
July 7, 2025

USMNT Struggles Still Produce Big Gold Cup Ratings for Fox

The U.S. team’s recent issues culminated in a loss to Mexico.
July 2, 2025

Paramount Settles Trump Suit Ahead of NFL Season, Skydance Merger

The deal likely allows the much larger Skydance merger deal to proceed.
Leo Messi
June 27, 2025

TNT, Club World Cup Ride Messi to Surprisingly Solid Debut Ratings

TNT Sports carries about a third of matches in the U.S.