Unsurprisingly, last Sunday’s AFC showdown between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills drew massive TV ratings.
According to reports, CBS hauled in an audience of 31.2 million viewers for the highly-anticipated matchup between two of the best teams in the league.
For reference, it was the most-watched regular season game (excluding holiday games) since a Colts-Patriots matchup back in 2007.
Taking it a step further, it was the fourth most-watched game in a national broadcast window since at least 1988.
What made the massive ratings extra interesting was the fact that Taylor Swift was not in attendance.
There were some people who claimed that Swift’s presence at Chiefs games provided a bump in viewership. However, judging by the enormous number CBS pulled in without her in attendance, it’s safe to say the NFL is doing just fine without her help.
Speaking of Swift, Ryleigh Spector, wife of Bills linebacker Baylon Spector, took a shot at the musician following Buffalo’s 30-21 victory over Travis Kelce’s Chiefs.
“9-2! Never a Swiftie,” she posted on her Instagram story.
Swift, who has become a fixture at Chiefs games in support of Kelce, has been warmly welcomed by many in the KC circle.
Chariah Gordon, fiancée of Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr., recently described her bond with Swift in an interview with Glamour.
“I call her my sis, that’s my sis,” Chariah said. “She’s just really a sweet, down-to-earth girl. I forgot that she was even Taylor Swift, that’s how she makes you feel. I wasn’t saying, ‘Oh my God, this is Taylor.’ I’m like, ‘Oh, this is one of my home girls from back home.’”
Gordon also revealed that Swift had gone out of her way to connect with her children, even gifting them a thoughtful Christmas present. “It’s so freaking cute and so thoughtful,” she said.
As for what we witnessed on Sunday, Josh Allen and the Bills flexed their muscles as they defeated Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in convincing fashion.
The victory ruined Kansas City’s quest for an undefeated season. Not that that was ever going to happen. As a matter of fact, Mahomes acknowledged that a perfect season wasn’t even a goal of theirs.
“The undefeated thing was cool. But that’s not our ultimate goal,” Mahomes said after the loss.
He went on to emphasize the opportunity to use the setback as motivation. “It’s a good football team, so there’s nothing to hang your head [about],” Mahomes said. “We feel like we can play better, so we will get back to work and try to use this as a spark so that we can be a better football team in the end.”
Mahomes also called for more urgency going forward, particularly in early-game performance.
I’m hoping that [losing] is a benefit. I’m not going to say I or we relaxed, but at the same time I feel like we were just coming away with these wins at the end of the game,” he said.
“I think it’s going to spark us to have more urgency, especially at the start of football games, especially with the offense, and that comes from me and turning the ball over on the first drive. It’s something you can’t do in big games like this.”
The Bills now head into their bye week with momentum and an eye on their next matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs will look to bounce-back this weekend when they head to Carolina to take on the 3-7 Panthers.
What are your thoughts on the massive rating Bills-Chiefs delivered? … Will these two meet up again in January???
