National Football League

Favre, Vikings lead FOX to divisional playoff ratings title

Published Jan. 18, 2010 12:00 a.m. ET

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Brett Favre not only led his Minnesota Vikings to victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, he also led FOX to ratings victory.

The Dallas-Minnesota matchup was the highest rated divisional game of the weekend. The metered market rating/share of (23.9/46) was a 14 percent increase over last year's comparable Eagles-Giants NFC Divisional Playoff game, also on FOX.

The game produced the highest divisional rating on any network since 1996. Additionally, it was the first time in 10 years the early Sunday game earned a higher rating than the late game.

Despite the one-sided score, the audience grew steadily throughout the broadcast peaking at a 26.4/48 from 3:30-4 p.m. ET. Minneapolis led all markets, followed New Orleans and Dallas.

The three telecasts the 2010 NFC Playoffs on FOX have averaged a 21.2/39, up 12 percent over last year, and ahead of CBS' AFC Post-Season average by 4 percent.

FOX Sports airs the 2010 NFC Championship Game between the Vikings and Saints in New Orleans on Sunday. Coverage begins at 6 p.m. ET with the FOX NFL SUNDAY pregame show.