TV ratings: NBC wins with Patriots vs. Falcons against premieres

Ratings numbers for “Breaking Bad” aren’t out yet, so we’ll have to wait and see if Sunday night’s finale of the popular series reaches or tops the 8 million viewers that were expected to tune in.

On the major networks, NBC easily won the night with NFL football. During prime time, an average of 18.5 million people watched the New England Patriots beat the Atlanta Falcons 30-23, according to early numbers from Nielsen, which are tentative for live sports.

The telecast generated a rating of 6.7 in the key age 18-49 demographic, down 3% from the preliminary numbers from last week’s NFL game on NBC.

PHOTOS: Cable versus broadcast ratings

The network finished with a rating of 5.6 and an average audience of 15.3 million.

Elsewhere, it was a busy night of premieres.

Following the “Once Upon a Time: Journey to Neverland” special on ABC, “Once Upon a Time” premiered to an audience of 8.45 million and a rating of 3.9, down 33% from last year’s debut. “Revenge” premiered down 25% to a 2.4. “Betrayal,” about a married woman who begins an affair with a lawyer, launched with 5.29 million viewers and a rating of 1.5, down 29% from last fall’s opener of “666 Park Avenue” in the time period.

ON LOCATION: Where the cameras roll

CBS’ numbers are likely off because of overruns of NFL games in multiple markets. According to preliminary numbers, openers of “The Amazing Race,” “The Good Wife” and “The Mentalist” all fell from last year.

Fox had premieres in its Sunday animation lineup. “The Simpsons” kicked off with 6.29 million viewers and a rating of 2.8, down 26% from last year’s premiere. “Bob’s Burgers” fell 19%, “Family Guy” fell 21% and “American Dad” fell 16%.

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Twitter/@rfaughnder

ryan.faughnder@latimes.com