The thrilling game between the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens drew the biggest Sunday night opener audience in three years.
NBC Sports announced that “Sunday Night Football” and the NFL‘s regular season opener last Thursday between the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles, also on NBC, averaged 26.5 million viewers across NBC and Peacock, according to Nielsen and Adobe Analytics.
Buffalo’s 41-40 comeback victory was the most-watched Sunday night opener since 2022. The game drew an average audience of 24.7 million viewers, with viewership peaking in the first half at 28.2 million viewers. Like many Bills fans in the stadium, people detached from the game early on.
The Dallas-Philadelphia game averaged 31.9 million viewers and peaked for an NFL Kickoff game-record 34.3 million viewers.
It’s largest two-game NFL Kickoff Weekend audience since 2015 and the second-best opening in NBC’s “Sunday Night Football” two-decade history.
Only the NFL Kickoff Weekend from 2015 drew a larger audience. That weekend featured the Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots, as well as the Cowboys and New York Giants on Sunday night. The games averaged 27.2 million viewers.
A new Peacock and NBC Sports streaming record was set across this year’s Kickoff Weekend, with an average minute audience of 4 million viewers.
Friday night’s game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers from São Paulo, Brazil drew over an average of 17.3 million viewers globally on YouTube.
CBS and Fox each reported historic viewership levels in recent years for the Sunday slates, with CBS saying the game between the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions was the most watched CBS game since 1998.
GettyORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 07: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills looks on after running for a first down against the Baltimore Ravens during the third quarter at Highmark Stadium on September 07, 2025 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
Bill’s Josh Allen Looked Like the Reigning MVP
Bills quarterback Josh Allen led Buffalo back from a 15-point deficit with about four minutes remaining in the game on Sunday night.
In the frantic chaos of the fourth quarter, Allen refused to relent. He barreled into the end zone for two touchdowns, then added another through the air, with Keon Coleman snaring a tipped pass in traffic for the score. And just when it seemed the drama had reached its peak, the NFLâs reigning MVP orchestrated one final masterpiece: a nine-play, 66-yard march in the last 86 seconds. Calm under pressure, he guided his offense into position for Matt Praterâs 32-yard field goal, the kick sailing through as the clock struck zero.
“Our team didnât quit,” Allen said after the game. “I think thereâs people who left the stadium. Thatâs OK. Weâll be fine. But have some faith next time.”
Allen closed out the game completing 33 of his 46 passes for 394 yards and two touchdowns.
“Josh, heâs always been like that though. He wants the ball in key moments of the game,” head coach Sean McDermott said. “Thatâs what the great ones, thatâs their mindset. Thatâs what they want, that’s what they do. And heâs never out of it in his mind.”
Ravens Offense Looked Mighty But a Mistake Was Costly
The Billsâ defense spent much of the game on its heels, battered by Derrick Henryâs relentless runs. Henry bulldozed his way to 169 yards on the ground and crossed the goal line twice, threatening to overwhelm them entirely.
On the other side, Lamar Jackson directed a near-flawless attack, piling up three touchdownsâtwo through the airâand guiding his offense to scores on seven of its first eight drives, keeping the pressure unrelenting.
Henry, though, played a part in the collapse. With just over three minutes remaining, Ed Oliver jarred the ball loose, forcing a fumble that shifted the momentum. The turnover cracked the game wide open and gave Buffalo the chance it needed to mount its comeback.
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