NFL Sees Huge Increase in Ratings for Bears-Packers Thursday Night Opener

Americans really missed the NFL, huh?

Even as atrocious as Thursday night's game between the Bears and Packers turned out to be, millions of people were tuned into the game and the ratings were the highest they've been for an opener in three years!

Not bad for a league that's been constantly dealing with controversy, from Colin Kaepernick's kneeling protest to the development of CTE research, all of which have largely put the league in a negative light.

Nonetheless, we honestly don't know how there were that many fans willing to stomach such terrible offensive performances from both teams, especially from Mitchell Trubisky and the Bears. Then again, it was the first taste of real NFL action since February, so fans were understandably desperate. Despite the ugliness of the game, it was close until the end, so fans were probably sucked in as they hoped for a thrilling finish.

It also helps the only competition this game had were a slate of largely meaningless MLB games and the US Open. Who's to say viewers wouldn't have tuned in to a few other college games if the NCAA had scheduled some for Thursday night?