Cowboys-49ers Most Watched Wild-Card Game in 7 Years

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ced Wilson (1) attempts but is unable to make a catch in front of San Francisco 49ers safety Jaquiski Tartt (3) during the second half of the NFC Wild Card playoff football game at AT & T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Jan 16, 2022. (Kevin Jairaj/USA TODAY Sports Via Field Level Media)

Sunday’s playoff game between the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers drew an average 41.5 million viewers, making it the most-watched NFL wild-card game in seven years.

The audience peaked at 50.2 million viewers for the ending of the 49ers’ 23–17 win. Nickelodeon drew 1.3 million viewers to its children-geared broadcast while CBS garnered an average of 40.2 million viewers.

It was the highest since the 2015 Cowboys–Detroit Lions game drew 42.3 million.

The Philadelphia vs. Tampa Bay game came in second Sunday with 30.4 million viewers. Pittsburgh-Kansas City drew 28.9 million, Las Vegas-Cincinnati 27.7 million and New England-Buffalo 26.4 million.