Divisional playoff games draw highest viewership in 16 years

NEW YORK -- The NFL drew the most viewers for the divisional round of the playoffs in 16 years, with an average of 33 million per game.

The audiences for the Arizona-New Orleans, Baltimore-Indianapolis, Dallas-Minnesota and New York Jets-San Diego games were up 15 percent from 28.8 million viewers in 2008.

The Cowboys-Vikings game Sunday attracted 37.7 million viewers, making it the most-watched program on television since last February's Super Bowl

The Jets-Chargers game later Sunday drew 35.6 million viewers, and Saturday night game's Ravens-Colts meeting was next at 30.6 million. The Cardinals-Saints game brought an audience of 27.9 million.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press