{"id":20892,"date":"2025-01-21T02:23:36","date_gmt":"2025-01-21T02:23:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=20892"},"modified":"2025-01-21T02:23:36","modified_gmt":"2025-01-21T02:23:36","slug":"espn-reveals-texans-chiefs-playoff-game-with-taylor-swift-in-the-stands-was-its-most-watched-nfl-game-ever","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=20892","title":{"rendered":"ESPN reveals Texans-Chiefs playoff game – with Taylor Swift in the stands – was its most-watched NFL game EVER"},"content":{"rendered":"

The divisional playoff showdown between the\u00a0Kansas<\/a><\/span>\u00a0City Chiefs and the\u00a0Houston Texans<\/a><\/span>\u00a0was ESPN’s most-watched NFL game in history.<\/p>\n

On Saturday, the defending\u00a0Super Bowl<\/a><\/span>\u00a0champions began their playoff quest toward a third straight title by hosting the Texans at Arrowhead Stadium.<\/p>\n

After four quarters,\u00a0Patrick Mahomes<\/a><\/span>\u00a0and\u00a0Travis Kelce<\/a><\/span> cruised toward a 23-14 victory at home over CJ Stroud and company.<\/p>\n

Apart from\u00a0Taylor Swift<\/a><\/span>\u00a0and\u00a0Caitlin Clark<\/a><\/span>\u00a0in the suits, ESPN revealed that 32.7 million viewers tuned in to the game – the most since the network began showing regular season and playoff games in 1987.<\/p>\n

The game’s numbers overtook the Texans’ divisional playoff game against the\u00a0Baltimore Ravens<\/a><\/span>\u00a0in 2024, which garnered 32.3 million viewers.<\/p>\n

Dallas’ Wild Card game against Tampa Bay in 2023 sits third with 31.2 million followed by another Wild Card showdown between the Eagles and Buccaneers from 2024 at 29.1.<\/p>\n

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