The Monday Night Football clash between the Buffalo Bills and the New York Jets brought an explosion of excitement among football enthusiasts.
The anticipation for the game skyrocketed as fans eagerly awaited Aaron Rodgers’ debut with the Jets.
However, the much-awaited debut was short-lived, as Rodgers unfortunately tore his left Achilles tendon on his fourth snap.
This devastating injury marked the end of Rodgers’ season, leaving the Jets and their fans disheartened.
Despite the setback of Rodgers’ injury, the Jets displayed extraordinary resilience against the Bills, with the game ended in a thrilling overtime victory for the Jets, with Xavier Gipson’s remarkable 65-yard punt return for a touchdown sealing the deal.
Meanwhile, this game marked an extraordinary milestone for ESPN, as it snatched the highest viewership record since 2006.
The previous record was set in 2009 when Rodgers faced off against his predecessor, Brett Favre, in a showdown between the Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings.
Around Aaron Rodgers’ injury, Bills-Jets sets ESPN viewership record for ‘Monday Night Football’ https://t.co/p4mTeXluy8 pic.twitter.com/QXYgHXrB3d
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 12, 2023
The viewership of this season’s Monday Night Football season opener witnessed a notable increase of 14 percent compared to the previous year’s opener between the Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks.
This surge highlights the enduring popularity and magnetism of the NFL.
To accommodate the massive demand, the game was broadcast on various platforms, including ESPN, ABC, ESPN2, ESPN+, and ESPN Deportes.
This multi-platform approach allowed a broader audience to witness the encounter between the Jets and Bills.
One of the highlights of this game was the ManningCast alternate feed, which aired on ESPN2.
Hosted by the Manning brothers, Peyton and Eli, the ManningCast provided a fresh and interactive perspective for viewers. Approximately 1.52 million viewers tuned in to experience this unique commentary.
The viewership of the Monday Night Football game between the Jets and Bills eclipsed the viewership numbers of various prestigious events.
Notably, it surpassed the viewership of the recent College Football Playoff final, the men’s NCAA Tournament final, the Kentucky Derby, the Oscars, and the Grammy Awards.
