Fans continue to tune their televisions to NFL games at impressive rates. According to Nielsen Media Research, NFL programming was the top-rated television show in 17 NFL cities for the television week of October 2-8 – including Dallas, where the Cowboys had a bye. In addition, NFL programming accounted for two of the top four programs in six NFL cities (including San Diego where the Chargers' postgame show ranked second and the Broncos-Chargers game ranked third).

The five highest local NFL ratings for the week were: Pittsburgh, 34.4 (Steelers at Jets); Milwaukee, 34.1 (Packers at Lions); Denver, 33.4 (Broncos at Chargers); Buffalo, 32.4 (Bills at Dolphins); and Cleveland, 30.0 (Browns at Cardinals).

Following are the 17 NFL markets where football was the top-rated program for the week of October 2-8 (other NFL markets where NFL football was ranked #2 or #3 are not listed):

1 Buffalo @ Miami

2 West Wing

3 Everybody Loves Raymond

1 Cleveland @ Arizona

2 60 Minutes

3 West Wing

1 MNF-Seattle @ Kansas City

2 Practice

2 PRS-ANL-Tu

2 West Wing

1 Denver @ San Diego

2 60 Minutes

3 West Wing

4 MNF-Seattle @ Kansas City

1 Fox postgame WJBK

2 Green Bay @ Detroit

3 West Wing

1 Indianapolis @ New England

2 Everybody Loves Raymond

3 West Wing

1 SNF-Baltimore @ Jacksonville

2 Sports final (WTLV 11:30p-12am)

3 60 Minutes

1 MNF-Seattle @ Kansas City

2 60 Minutes

3 The Practice

1 Buffalo @ Miami

2 Millionaire Tue

3 CBS College Football

1 Fox postgame show on WITI

2 Green Bay @ Detroit

3 West Wing

1 Tennessee @ Cincinnati

2 CMA Awards

3 Millionaire Tues

1 New Orleans @ Chicago

2 60 Minutes

3 Eyewitness News

1 Washington @ Philadelphia

2 Fox postgame show

3 Everybody Loves Raymond

1 Pittsburgh @ NY Jets

2 Everybody Loves Raymond

3 60 Minutes

1 5th Quarter (KPIX 4-5pm)

2 Oakland @ San Francisco

3 Earth

1 MNF-Seattle @ Kansas City

2 Simpsons

3 Simpsons

1 Washington @ Philadelphia

2 West Wing

3 60 Minutes

4 Redskins postgame show on WTTG