WFLD-Channel 32 also felt the impact of the Bears’ terrible showing at New England on Sunday.
The game did a season-low 22.6 local rating; 1 local ratings point is worth 35,500 homes. Typically, the Bears pull ratings in the 30s, especially when playing a big-name team like the Patriots and quarterback Tom Brady. Apparently, many viewers chose to enjoy a beautiful fall day than watch the Bears in garbage time during the second half.
The Bears’ possible decline doesn’t bode well for the networks. The Bears still have four national TV games left on their schedule: Sunday night Nov. 9 at Green Bay (NBC); Thanksgiving Day Nov. 27 at Detroit (CBS); Thursday night Dec. 4 home against Dallas (NFL Network); and Monday night Dec. 15 at home against New Orleans (ESPN).
If the Bears can’t stop the bleeding, those national games suddenly get far less attractive for the networks.