Jets’ upset over Patriots on CBS was most-watched divisional playoff ever

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The New York Jets weren’t supposed to win Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots, which no doubt helped the CBS telecast become the most-watched divisional playoff since at least 1987.

An average of 43.5 million total viewers tuned in to see the Jets upset the Patriots 28-21 in the AFC playoff, according to figures released Tuesday by the Nielsen Co.

CBS’ other AFC playoff, in which the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Baltimore Ravens 31-24 on Saturday, drew 34 million viewers, tying a record set in 1988.

After a banner year for NFL TV ratings, the high interest in both games last weekend increases anticipation that this year’s Super Bowl, Feb. 6 on Fox, could again set viewing records.

--Scott Collins (Twitter: @scottcollinsLAT)

Photo: Braylon Edwards and Santonio Holmes of the New York Jets at their victory over New England. Photo: Al Bello/Getty Images

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