NFL ratings face uncertain questions as Chiefs, Cowboys get eliminated from the playoffs

The NFL is enjoying one of its strongest television seasons in decades, but an unexpected circumstance heading into the 2025 playoffs has sparked fresh debate among broadcasters and analysts alike. For the first time in over a decade, the postseason will unfold without two of the league’s biggest viewership magnets: the Kansas City Chiefs and the Dallas Cowboys.

The Chiefs’ playoff absence, confirmed in Week 15, marks their first miss since 2014 and comes amid a devastating turn of events. Patrick Mahomes, the face of the modern NFL, suffered a season-ending ACL injury, effectively ending Kansas City’s campaign. The Cowboys, meanwhile, are all but eliminated, with slim mathematical odds remaining after a string of costly losses.

Why Chiefs and Cowboys matter to NFL viewership

Kansas City has quietly become the league’s most reliable ratings draw. With Mahomes at the helm, the Chiefs featured in six of the top ten most-watched games of the season. Their Thanksgiving matchup against Dallas shattered records, averaging more than 57 million viewers.

Dallas, despite mixed on-field results in recent years, remains “America’s Team” in television terms. Even in down seasons, Cowboys games routinely outperform other matchups, fueled by nostalgia, national reach, and polarizing appeal.



Losing both franchises in one postseason raises a simple but uncomfortable question: does star power still drive NFL ratings more than team success?

The NFL has long been a quarterback-driven television product. From Tom Brady and Peyton Manning to Mahomes, Aaron Rodgers, and Dak Prescott, elite quarterbacks have doubled as ratings headliners.

Despite the concerns, early indicators suggest panic may be premature. NFL viewership through Week 14 is up seven percent year-over-year, the highest at this stage since 1989. Nielsen’s expanded Big Data measurement, combined with strong digital streaming numbers, continues to buoy overall ratings.

Additionally, large-market teams like Chicago and Los Angeles remain in the playoff mix, offering networks valuable regional audiences. Compelling storylines, including comeback narratives and first-time playoff runs could also offset the loss of familiar faces.

Ultimately, the NFL remains the most resilient television show in American sports. While the absence of the Chiefs and Cowboys introduces uncertainty, it may also accelerate the league’s next era: one where new stars step into the spotlight, and fans tune in to see who becomes the next household name.

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