No damage to 'Sunday Night Football' ratings as Pats mangle Steelers

Given the savagery with which New England Patriots dispatched the Pittsburgh Steelers, NBC executives would have been forgiven for thinking that last night’s “Sunday Night Football” opener would disappoint on the ratings front. And while viewers began tuning out once Tom Brady and Co. had established a 20-0 lead at the half, the final deliveries for this lopsided AFC clash were higher than they were a year ago.