Monday's Lions-Bears game was pretty popular, as it should have been, becoming ESPN's top-rated MNF game of the season and the network's best-rated game of the season, according to the Detroit News.
ESPN reported MNF's return to Detroit reached 16.4 million viewers per minute, the fifth-largest cable TV audience in 2011 behind 4 other ESPN telecasts.
The Detroit News also said the game drew a 36.4 rating in the Detroit market with ESPN's coverage figures were added to those of local ABC affiliate WXYZ-7, which simulcast the game.
Yahoo columnist Dan Wetzel, who canonized the Lions after the game, hypothesized NBC might attempt to get the Lions (5-0) on Sunday Night Football Dec. 4, when they visit New Orleans.
The Lions Wednesday announced their eighth consecutive sellout for Sunday's game against the 49ers (4-1). TipIQ says the second-hand ticket market has seen a 46-percent increase in price for Lions tickets this season.
Earlier in the day Monday, the Tigers' Game 2 loss in the ALCS was the best in its time slot (the game aired on Fox from 4-9 p.m. roughly).
Tuesday Game 3 numbers, however, marked postseason highs in Detroit (29.3 rating) and Dallas (23.9), with Detroit leading all markets in watching the Fox broadcast.
It's a good time to be a Detroit sports fan, even if you can't make it to the games.