NBC's 'Sunday Night Football' tops 'World Series' for third time in four years

Vikings-Packers blowout draws 16.9 million viewers against World Series Game 4

The Green Bay Packers' 13-point victory against the Minnesota Vikings on NBC's "Sunday Night Football" averaged 16.9 million viewers - marking the third time in four years that "SNF" topped World Series Game 4 (16.0 million viewers for Red Sox-Cardinals on FOX).

NBC's "Sunday Night Football" - primetime television's No. 1 show - is averaging 22.1 million viewers, marking the best eight-week start for an NFL primetime package in 17 years (23.9 million in 1996 for "Monday Night Football") and up 4 percent from last year (21.2 million average).

In addition, "SNF" tops primetime TV in season-to-date live plus same day household rating (13.1 - best in 14 years for NFL primetime package after eight weeks).

Sunday's game, in which Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers completed 24 of 29 pass attempts for 285 yards and two touchdowns in the Packers' 44-31 victory, drew a 9.8 rating/15 share (8:31-11:06 p.m. ET).

Following is the history of NBC's "Sunday Night Football" against World Series Game 4:

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