Bucs-Cowboys most-watched season opener since 2015
The NFL returned with the bang Thursday. The game between the reigning champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Dallas Cowboys earned the largest audience for a season opener since 2015, NBC Sports announced Friday, according to The Washington Post's Mark Maske.
The matchup had an average total audience delivery of 26 million viewers across NBC and its other platforms. It was also the most-watched TV show since Super Bowl LV in February.
Tom Brady and the Bucs started their title defense on a perfect note. The veteran quarterback engineered a game-winning drive to edge Dallas 31-29 as Ryan Succop kicked a 36-yard field goal with 2 seconds remaining.
Brady and Dak Prescott, who returned from an ankle injury that ended his 2020 season, both put up impressive numbers in their season debuts.
The seven-time Super Bowl champ threw for 379 yards and four touchdowns against two interceptions, while the Cowboys passer had 403 yards and three scores with one interception.
Brady also starred in the 2015 opener, which saw the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers 28-21.