NFL’s 5 most watched Super Bowl games in in TV history

The Tom Brady-Matt Ryan quarterback duel in Super Bowl LI had the fifth-highest rating in the game’s history.

Super Bowl LI brought in a whopping 111.32 million viewers to close the 2016-2017 season. That was a small drop from the year before. The New England Patriots took on the Atlanta Falcons in the matchup at NRG Stadium in Houston.

Viewers watched as the underdog Falcons showed dominance in the second quarter by taking a commanding 21-3 lead over the mighty Patriots.

The Falcons’ defense forced three Patriots’ punts and jumped on a LeGarrette Blount fumble in the first half.

Sadly for Atlanta’s fans, it was a different story in the second half as the Falcons’ offense was shut down by the Patriots’ defense. New England forced three punts and returned the favor by forcing a turnover of their own by punching the ball out of Matt Ryan‘s hands and recovering the fumble.

Atlanta’s offense was outgained by a 276 to 133-yard margin in the second half.

New England outscored the Falcons 25-7 in the second half and they would go on to win in overtime by way of a two-yard rushing touchdown from running back James White to close the show.

Tom Brady would win Super Bowl MVP in this game, as he completed 43 of 62 passes for 463 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. The halftime show for this matchup featured Lady Gaga. That most certainly didn’t hurt the ratings as she has a passionate fanbase. She’s always good for a rating spike.