The NFL Hall of Fame preseason game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Detroit Lions has captured significant attention with 6.9 million viewers, outperforming the average viewership of the NBA playoffs, which averaged 6.13 million per game. This record-breaking viewership has raised interest in the NFL as fans eagerly anticipate the upcoming regular season.
The game, held on NBC, saw the Chargers dominate with a 34-7 victory, thanks to the performance of third-round pick Trey Lance. This marked the highest viewership for the event since 2021, showcasing the NFL’s growing popularity despite the non-regular season nature of the contest.
Trey Lance, not Chargers’ starter Justin Herbert, was the one taking snaps with the offense in Canton, Ohio last Thursday night, and he put on a show for all those watching. The third overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft went 12-of-20 passing for 120 yards and two touchdowns thrown in the Chargers’ 34-7 beatdown of the Lions.
Lance is expected to hold the backup position to Herbert in a season where head coach Jim Harbaugh is likely to build off a 2024 playoff campaign. Meanwhile, head coach Dan Campbell and the Lions didn’t have the same production as the scoreboard indicated. As is custom, Jared Goff and many starters on both sides of the ball didn’t suit up for this contest, so Kyle Allen, who is battling to be Goff’s backup, started under center.
He was picked off twice in the game, while other mistakes, including a muffed punt return, are areas the Lions need to clean up. There are many more preseason games to be played in the coming weeks, as every other team across the NFL will suit up for their first game action against another team this week.
Potentially more NFL fans will be tuning in for those primetime games, as they prepare for what’s expected to be another exciting football season.