The New England Patriots’ 10-7 win over the Denver Broncos on Sunday made the numbers for CBS Sports. The 2025 AFC Championship game featured two teams under heavy scrutiny coming into the duel, but the Patriots confirmed that they are focused on the ultimate prize this campaign.

Led by Drake Maye (10 of 21 for 86 yards, to go along with 65 yards and one touchdown on 10 carries), the Patriots returned to the Super Bowl for the first time since 2019. Although it wasn’t the most spectacular game in terms of scoring, the Patriots and Broncos kept it close until the final minute.

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CBS Sports shared on Tuesday that the game became the most-watched NFL postseason duel on any network this season. It had 48.618 million viewers, which represented a 10% rise from last year’s comparable early game. It peaked with 57.759 million viewers.

Amid strong criticism aimed at their No. 1 broadcasting duo, Jim Nantz and Tony Romo, CBS Sports reported they had a solid season. They also had the most-watched regular-season game on any network (Chiefs vs. Cowboys on Thanksgiving, which drew 57.231 million viewers.

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Those two helped the network have the most-watched NFL season ever, with 23.094 million viewers. They will broadcast the Super Bowl in 2027. Despite all the reports about Nantz and Romo, fans continue to tune in.

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