The Most & Least Watchable NFL Games In 2022: Week 1 & Beyond
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The frozen tundra.
A crowd triggers the Richter scale.
Future Hall of Fame QBs go mano-a-mano.
Baker Mayfield playing his old team.
The latest Super Bowl 57 preview.
Those are key elements that make one NFL game more watchable than another.
What are the most – and least – watchable games on the NFL schedule this season? Bookies.com analyzed the 272-game regular season schedule and ranked every NFL game based on its watchability, using a numerical scale that includes projected win totals, Super Bowl odds, and other factors.
Let's begin with Week 1.
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Week 1 NFL Bookies Watchability Index
Here are all 16 games in Week 1 of the 2022-23 NFL season as ranked by the Bookies.com Watchability Index (BWI) for the upcoming NFL season. Week 1 begins on Thursday, Sept. 8, with the Bills at Rams.
Games are listed with their time, TV, BWI score and the current spread as listed at DraftKings. Ties are broken by point spreads, with the smaller spread ranking higher on our list.
| Rank | Game | BWI | Day | Time (ET) | TV | Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | BUF at LAR | 69.5 | Thur. | 8:20 p.m. | NBC | BUF -2.5 |
| 2. | TB at DAL | 64.5 | Sun. | 8:20 p.m. | NBC | TB -1 |
| 3. | GB at MIN | 57 | Sun. | 4:25 p.m. | FOX | GB -2.5 |
| 4. | KC at ARI | 53.5 | Sun. | 4:25 p.m. | CBS | KC -3.5 |
| 5. | LVR at LAC | 50 | Sun. | 4:25 p.m. | CBS | LAC -3.5 |
| 6. | NE at MIA | 47.5 | Sun. | 1 p.m. | CBS | MIA -2.5 |
| 7. | DEN at SEA | 47.5 | Mon. | 8:15 p.m. | ESPN | DEN -6 |
| 8. | PIT at CIN | 43.5 | Sun. | 1 p.m. | CBS | PIT -6.5 |
| 9. | CLE at CAR | 42 | Sun. | 1 p.m. | CBS | CAR -1 |
| 10. | SF at CHI | 31.5 | Sun. | 1 p.m. | FOX | SF -7 |
| 11. | IND at HOU | 30 | Sun. | 1 p.m. | CBS | IND -8.5 |
| 12. | NYG at TEN | 29.5 | Sun. | 4:25 p.m. | FOX | TEN -6 |
| 13. | BAL at NYJ | 29.5 | Sun. | 1 p.m. | CBS | BAL -7 |
| 14. | PHI at DET | 26.5 | Sun. | 1 p.m. | FOX | PHI -4 |
| 15. | NO at ATL | 25.5 | Sun. | 1 p.m. | FOX | NO -5.5 |
| 16. | JAX at WAS | 23 | Sun. | 1 p.m. | FOX | WAS -2.5 |
How We Did It
Multiple factors were used in creating an algorithm for the Bookies.com Watchability Index. Teams were given points for the following:
- Each Projected Win On Their Season Over/Under at DraftKings
- Their Standing (1-32) In Odds To Win The Super Bowl at DraftKings
Individual matchups were also awarded 5 points if they included:
- Traditional, geographic or postseason rivalries
- Are scheduled to air on national TV
- Include a major secondary storyline in addition to the game itself (i.e. Mike McCarthy's Return To Green Bay; Tom Brady vs Aaron Rodgers; a playoff rematch, a potential Super Bowl preview, etc)
- Have potential for extreme weather and/or a strong home-field advantage
Super Bowl odds standings were averaged for each matchup.
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Top 25 Most Watchable Games This Season
Here are the top 25 games in the Bookies.com Watchability Index for the upcoming NFL season. Games are listed with their week, the matchup, the BWI score and the current spread as listed at DraftKings.
| Ranking | Week | Matchup | BWI | Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Week 6 | Bills at Chiefs | 73 | BUF -1.5 |
| 2. | Week 3 | Packers at Bucs | 73 | TB -3.5 |
| 3. | Week 1 | Bills at Rams | 69.5 | LAR -1 |
| 4. | Week 14 | Chiefs at Broncos | 68.5 | DEN -4.5 |
| 5. | Week 10 | Cowboys at Packers | 68.5 | GB -4 |
| 6. | Week 9 | Rams at Bucs | 67.5 | TB -1.5 |
| 7. | Week 4 | Chiefs at Bucs | 67.5 | TB -2.5 |
| 8. | Week 8 | Packers at Bills | 67.5 | GB -4 |
| 9. | Week 15 | Rams vs Packers | 66.5 | Pick |
| 10. | Week 2 | Chargers at Chiefs | 65.5 | KC -3 |
| 11. | Week 1 | Bucs at Cowboys | 64.5 | TB -3 |
| 12. | Week 12 | Rams at Chiefs | 64.5 | KC -2.5 |
| 13. | Week 11 | Chiefs at Chargers | 64 | LAC -1.5 |
| 14. | Week 17 | Rams at Chargers | 64 | LAC -1.5 |
| 15. (T) | Week 14 | Broncos at Chiefs | 63.5 | Pick |
| 15. (T) | Week 17 | Bills at Bengals | 63.5 | Pick |
| 17. | Week 7 | Chiefs at 49ers | 63.5 | KC -1 |
| 18. (T) | Week 16 | Broncos at Rams | 63.5 | LAR -3.5 |
| 18. (T) | Week 8 | 49ers at Rams | 63.5 | LAR -3.5 |
| 20. | Week 5 | Colts at Broncos | 63 | DEN -3 |
| 21. | Week 14 | Bengals at Bucs | 63 | TB -3.5 |
| 22. | Week 5 | Cowboys at Rams | 63 | LAR -4.5 |
| 23. | Week 6 | Broncos at Chargers | 61.5 | LAC -3 |
| 24. | Week 13 | Chiefs at Bengals | 61.5 | Pick |
| 25. | Week 3 | 49rs at Broncos | 61 | DEN -2.5 |
(T): Denotes Tie
Bills-Chiefs Rematch Tops Watchability List
The most watchable game this season occurs in Week 6, when the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills meet at 4:25 p.m. ET on Oct. 16 on CBS. This is a rematch of the epic AFC Divisional Round playoff game from last January won by the Chiefs 42-36 in OT.
Josh Allen whiffed on the coin toss. The Chiefs would score on the first possession of OT but only after 25 points were scored in the final three minutes of regulation. This game resulted in a rule change that guarantees both teams at least one possession in overtime playoff games.
The Bills are favored on NFL betting markets by 1.5 points at DraftKings.
The two teams have a combined win total of 22. The Bills are the favorites to win the Super Bowl and thus received 32 points in that category. The Chiefs are tied for 3rd, and thus got 30. The average of those numbers (31) was used for our list. Finally, the game was awarded 5 points for the multiple underlying storylines, 5 points for the expected raucous crowd at Arrowhead Stadium, 5 points for the rivalry factor and 5 points for being on national TV.
That game edged the Brady-Rodgers rematch scheduled for Week 3 on Sept. 25. The Buccaneers home opener tied with the Bills-Chiefs game at 73 in the BWI, but finished second due to the current NFL line. It has the Bucs -3.5.
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Top 25 Least Watchable Games This Season
Here are the Top 25 least watchable games in the Bookies.com Watchability Index (BWI) for the upcoming NFL season. Games are listed with their week, the matchup, the BWI score and the current spread as listed at DraftKings.
| Ranking | Week | Matchup | BWI | Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Week 3 | Texans at Bears | 13.5 | CHI -3 |
| 2. | Week 15 | Lions at Jets | 13.5 | NYJ -2.5 |
| 3. | Week 11 | Bears at Falcons | 14.5 | Pick |
| 4. | Week 5 | Texans at Jaguars | 15 | JAX -3.5 |
| 5. | Week 17 | Jaguars at Texans | 15 | Pick |
| 6. | Week 5 | Texans at Jaguars | 15 | JAX -3.5 |
| 7. | Week 10 | Texans at Giants | 16 | NYG -3 |
| 8. | Week 3 | Falcons at Seahawks | 16.5 | SEA -3.5 |
| 9. | Week 11 | Commanders at Texans | 18 | WAS -3 |
| 10. | Week 4 | Seahawks at Lions | 18 | DET -1 |
| 11. | Week 13 | Jaguars at Lions | 18.5 | DET -2 |
| 12. | Week 17 | Jets at Seahawks | 19 | SEA -1.5 |
| 13. | Week 13 | Steelers vs Falcons | 19.5 | PIT -2.5 |
| 14. | Week 11 | Lions at Giants | 19.5 | NYG -1.5 |
| 15. | Week 12 | Falcons at Commanders | 20 | WAS -5 |
| 16. | Week 12 | Bears vs Jets | 20 | NYJ -2 |
| 17. (T) | Week 4 | Bears vs Giants | 20.5 | NYG -2.5 |
| 17. (T) | Week 8 | Giants at Seahawks | 20.5 | SEA -2.5 |
| 17. (T) | Week 16 | Lions at Panthers | 20.5 | CAR -2.5 |
| 20. | Week 7 | Giants at Jaguars | 21 | JAX -1.5 |
| 21. | Week 2 | Texans at Broncos | 21.5 | DEN -10.5 |
| 22. | Week 12 | Texans at Dolphins | 22 | MIA -7 |
| 23. | Week 4 | Jets vs Steelers | 22 | PIT -3.5 |
| 24. | Week 10 | Lions at Bears | 22 | CHI -1.5 |
| 25. | Week 2 | Panthers at Giants | 22.5 | NYG -1 |
(T): Denotes Tie
Texans-Bears Least Watchable Contest
The least watchable game is scheduled for Week 3 as the Chicago Bears visit Houston. It has a score of 13.5. The teams are projected to win just 11 games combined. The Texans are ranked 32nd when it comes to odds to win the Super Bowl (+25000), while the Bears are tied for 28th at +15000. Both teams begin the season with new coaches, untested second-year starters at quarterback and low expectations. The game was also shut out in the other categories.
The Texans are featured in seven of the 25 least watchable games. The moribund Jets visit the Detroit Lions in Week 18 on Dec. 18. That game is ranked 271st in the Bookies.com Watchability Index. Its score is the same as the Texans-Bears game, but finished second-to-last due to its slightly smaller point spread.
The NFL has a full schedule on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The Lions-Panthers game is set for a 1 p.m. ET Christmas Eve kickoff. Only friends and family are expected to be in attendance.
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