The Chargers' 34-7 triumph on Dec. 16 averaged a 2.9 household rating and 4.9 million viewers, according to Nielsen data, falling below the 5 million for the TNF season-opener on Nov. 11, when the Atlanta Falcons topped the Baltimore Ravens 26-21.

The Dec. 16 telecast tackled a 1.9 rating among persons 18 to 49, leading cable with the Madison Avenue-coveted set and topping the 1.5 and 1.7 marks for the final two hours of USA Network's winter run of spy drama Burn Notice.

NFL Network concludes its eight-game primetime slate next week with a pair of games involving two of pro football's most-popular teams. The Pittsburgh Steelers host the league's worst team the Carolina Panthers on Dec. 23 at 8:20 p.m. (ET), while in a battle with squads with losing records the Dallas Cowboys visit the Arizona Cardinals on Christmas at 7:30 p.m.