THIS JUST IN...

2014 NFL PLAYOFF GAMES ON FOX RANK AS MOST-WATCHED NFL POSTSEASON EVER - The 2014 NFL Playoffs on FOX is the network's most-watched ever after three games, averaging 37.2 million viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research, eclipsing the network's previous high of 36.5 million viewers set in 2012. The three-game average household rating, 21.3/39, is +11% versus 2013 (19.2/34) and ranks as the network's highest-rated NFL postseason since 1997 (21.5/44).

Saturday's NFC divisional playoff matchup between the New Orleans Saints and Seattle Seahawks posted an 18.1/34 household rating/share with 31.1 million viewers, as NFL ratings continue to surge. Saturday's early game rating is up +7% over last year's NFC divisional game (16.9/27) between the Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers played in prime time. Additional highlights for Saturday's NFC divisional matchup include:

-Second highest-rated Saturday NFC divisional game on FOX since 1999 (No. 1 is 22.2/42 was set in 1996);

-Third most-watched Saturday divisional game on FOX ever;

-New Orleans led all markets with a 51.1/74 followed by Seattle which registered a 48.4/82;

-Audience peaked at 36.5 million viewers from 7:00-7:30pm ET.

Sunday's NFC divisional playoff game between the San Francisco 49ers and Carolina Panthers posted a 19.9/41 household rating/share with 33.3 million viewers. Yesterday's game is +3% compared to last year's 19.3/38 and +11% compared to 32.1 million viewers in 2013 which pit the Seattle Seahawks against the Atlanta Falcons. Additional highlights from yesterday's NFC divisional showdown include:

-Third consecutive broadcast in 2014 in which FOX posted year-to-year gains;

-First time that the NFC playoff games on FOX have exceeded 31.0 million viewers for each of its first three games;

-Charlotte led all markets with a 42.1/70 followed by Sacramento 38.5/70, Greensboro 36.8/56 and San Francisco 35.8/74;

-Audience peaked at 38.6 million viewers at 3:30pm ET.

Source: Nielsen Media Research