Brady-Manning XVII highest-rated AFC Championship in 29 years

Tom Brady and Peyton Manning know how to draw an audience.

Sunday's meeting between the New England Patriots and Denver Broncos was the highest-rated AFC Championship Game in 29 years, earning an average overnight household rating/share of 31.8/53, according to CBS.

In Indianapolis, where Manning spent the first 14 years of his career, close to 70 percent of the city tuned in to watch the game.

It was also the highest-rated television program since last year's Super Bowl XLIX.

By comparison, Sunday's NFC Championship Game between the Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers earned an average overnight rating/share of 26.8/40.

Brady and Manning squared off Sunday for the 17th and perhaps final time in their careers, with the latter coming out on top to earn a trip to Super Bowl 50.