NFL sets television records with 2021 playoffs

The NFC and AFC Championship games had the NFL fans glued to their television all of last Sunday, and NFL Media provided numbers to support that notion.

The 2021 NFL Playoffs have been riveting, from a shootout Divisional Round to a competitive Conference Championship weekend, and it’s all resulted in 184 million viewers across the 2021 NFL Playoffs to date — that’s nearly 60 percent of al Americans — making it a record-breaking year.

Additionally, the AFC and NFC Championship games alone averaged 49.6 million viewers across television and digital platforms, making it the second most-watched Championship weekend since 2016. Additionally, both of the two championship games were the most-watched television shows since Super Bowl LV.

According to NFL Media, 60 percent of Americans using television in NFL windows were watching NFL games, making it the highest Championship Sunday share on record. Digital platforms across the NFL, Yahoo Sports and other broadcast platforms made up an additional 2.0 million followers, the highest for any NFL postseason round excluding Super Bowls on record.

Rams add two major pieces to injury report ahead of Super Bowl 56

Super Bowl 56 is inching closer, and while the nation prepares for one of the more unlikely and unforeseen matchups in recent NFL history, the two teams actually competing for the Lombardi Trophy are taking every step imaginable to be in their best position to win in just over a week.

The Rams have been surging on both sides of the ball, but when they released their injury report on Friday, two names caught the eyes of just about everyone with a rooting interest in Super Bowl 56.

Cornerback Jalen Ramsey did not practice because of a shoulder injury, and left tackle Andrew Whitworth was out with a quadriceps injury. The Rams had to give an injury designation as if they were playing this week, and they listed both as questionable.

Offensive lineman Joe Noteboom (chest), running back Cam Akers (shoulder), tight end Tyler Higbee (knee) and defensive back Grant Haley (quadriceps) remained out of practice.

Receiver Van Jefferson (knee) was out of practice Friday after being estimated as limited on the other two practice reports of the week.

Safety Taylor Rapp (concussion) was a full participant and good to go for Super Bowl 56.

Based on the team’s status report, Noteboom and Higbee are the furthest away from returning. The Rams listed both as doubtful to play if the game was this Sunday.

While there is plenty of time for players to heal, it’s alarming to see two of the core anchors on both sides of the ball for Los Angeles battling injury.

On3’s Sean Labar contributed to this report.