Cutler vs. Denver drama gives NBC a ratings boost

Posted August 30, 2009 11:00 pm

Daily Herald Staff Report

NBC Sport rode the Sunday night drama of Jay Cutler's return to Denver to the best television ratings performance for a preseason NFL game in five years.

The 7.3 overnight rating and 12 share for the Bears-Broncos game was the best since the 8.2/13 for a Tennessee-Dallas game on Aug. 30, 2004.

"Sunday Night Football" was the No. 1 telecast of the night in the metered markets and dominated its time period, more than doubling second-place CBS representing the network's highest Sunday primetime average in the metered markets since Super Bowl XLIII on Feb. 1.

Here's a look at the ratings for the top metered markets for the game, which was won by the Bears 27-17:

Top 10

1. Denver, 25.9/45

2. Chicago, 22.6/36

3. Las Vegas, 12.1/19

4. Milwaukee, 11.0/18

5. Albuquerque, 10.7/17

6. Nashville, 10.6/16

7. Jacksonville, 10.4/16

8. Oklahoma City, 10.1/15

9. New Orleans, 9.1/13

10. Indianapolis, 8.8/14

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