This past Saturday, the Packers-Bears wild-card game made waves by becoming the most-streamed NFL game ever, but the spotlight is shifting to NBC this Sunday with the Rams-Bears divisional-round match. This game marks a milestone as it’s the first time NBC will air a divisional playoff in the 5:30 p.m. Sunday slot, typically reserved for CBS and Fox.
Late-afternoon games often attract the largest audiences. A recent example is the 49ers-Eagles wild-card matchup, which drew 41.1 million viewers—making it the most-watched wild-card game since 2022. Rick Cordella, president of NBC Sports, noted that while NBC expresses its game preferences, the final decision rests with the NFL.
This matchup benefits NBC not just nationally, but locally as well. NBC 5, which is set to air the Bears game, also plans to run “Playoff Extra” after the game, featuring hosts like Alex Maragos and former players such as Dave Wannstedt. Kevin Cross, NBC Chicago’s president, expressed the excitement within the network when they learned they would be showcasing the Bears.
This season, NBC 5 has aired just one Bears game—a nail-biting 42-38 loss to the 49ers that captured a local Nielsen rating of 25.6, roughly 937,000 households. This number ranked as one of NBC 5’s highest-rated events throughout the year.
The NFL’s decision to assign the Rams-Bears game to NBC rather than ABC or ESPN reflects a broader strategy. The league aims to balance coverage across its broadcasting partners while also building buzz leading up to the Super Bowl. Last week, NBC’s Chargers-Patriots game attracted a relatively low average viewership of 28.9 million, underscoring the importance of high-stakes matchups.
There were speculations regarding game scheduling; some felt that the 49ers-Seahawks game could have swapped time slots with Rams-Bears due to the teams’ previous Sunday game. However, it’s common for NFL teams to face short weeks in the playoffs, and Rams-Bears is seen as having broader national appeal.
In a more lighthearted note, sports networks are ramping up their coverage. Marquee Sports Network will feature live coverage of the Cubs Convention, while Big Ten Network gets ready for the College Football Playoff championship between Indiana and Miami, adding to the excitement of the weekend.
Overall, the NFL playoff landscape continues to evolve, with broadcasting decisions that reflect both audience demand and strategic planning. The Rams-Bears game is sure to draw a crowd, and NBC is more than ready to capture the moment.
