Saints-Pats game draws second-most viewers in cable TV history

BRISTOL, Conn. -- The New Orleans Saints' Monday night victory over the New England Patriots was the second-most-watched cable telecast of all time.

The Saints' 38-17 victory that improved them to 11-0 was seen by 21.4 million viewers on ESPN, second only to the 21.8 million for the Green Bay Packers-Minnesota Vikings game Oct. 5. The Saints-Patriots game's 15.0 rating was the second-highest in the network's 30-year history, also second to that Packers-Vikings game, which earned a 15.3.

The Saints-Patriots game earned a combined 66.7 rating in New Orleans between the broadcast on ESPN and the simulcast on the local NBC affiliate.

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press