Fueled by the coach/quarterback combo of Mike Vrabel and Drake Maye, the Patriots’ rapid rise to the top of the AFC standings through 11 games has been the surprise of the NFL season.
What is not a surprise is the corresponding rise in television ratings for Patriots broadcasts, particularly locally.
NFL games — even Patriots broadcasts during down times, such as the back-to-back four-win seasons preceding this stunning rejuvenation — draw ratings and viewership numbers that are the envy of every other network and program on television.
But everyone loves a winner, and the Patriots, victors in their last eight games, are drawing Nielsen ratings well above what they had last season.