Opening Night Ratings Are Lower

Ratings for Thursday night’s season opener on ABC involving the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts were lower than for last year’s season opener.

The Super Bowl champion New England Patriots’ 27-24 victory over the Indianapolis Colts drew 11.4% of the 109.6 million U.S. households with televisions, according to Nielsen Media Research Inc.

ABC drew 12.9% of U.S. households with televisions for last year’s opener, when the Washington Redskins beat the New York Jets. ABC’s 17 “Monday Night Football” broadcasts were watched by an average 11.5% of viewers last season.

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The Tennessee Titans and Miami Dolphins meet in the season opener today in Miami -- a day earlier than expected because of approaching Hurricane Ivan.

Early predictions said Ivan could reach southern Florida as soon as Sunday, so the NFL decided to reschedule the game to avoid a postponement.

The game will not be available on television in Southern California, even on DirecTV for customers with the Sunday NFL Ticket package. According to NFL spokesman Greg Aiello, the NFL did not want the game to be carried nationally so as to not hurt ratings for scheduled college football games.

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Indianapolis safety Mike Doss is expected to be sidelined at least three weeks because of a pulled hamstring. Doss pulled up during a punt return early in Thursday night’s game.

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Starting fullback Moran Norris of the Houston Texans aggravated a shoulder injury and was listed as questionable for the season opener against the San Diego Chargers. Norris hurt his left shoulder in practice Thursday. If he can’t play, Jarrod Baxter will start.... Charger receiver Tim Dwight is expected to sit out the game because of a hamstring injury. Eric Parker and Reche Caldwell will be the Chargers’ starting receivers.... Cleveland Brown running back Lee Suggs , who has a sore neck, did not practice Friday, leaving him doubtful for Sunday’s opener against the Baltimore Ravens.