NBC's Tennessee-Steelers telecast was the most-watched NFL opener in the six years they've been aired on a Thursday night, breaking by 9 percent the previous high -- set the last time the Steelers opened a Super Bowl championship defense, against Miami in 2006.

The network reported that Nielsen overnight ratings indicate that 20.9 million viewers saw at least part of the Steelers' 13-10 overtime victory at Heinz Field, for a 12.8 household rating and a 22 share of the audience tuned into television at the time. That also made it the most-watched sports event on TV since their victory in Super Bowl XLIII, which similarly attracted what is considered the largest audience in TV history.

Pittsburgh ratings were a 49.6 with a 70 share.