The NFL averaged 18.7 million viewers per game during the regular season, the second-highest since audience averages began being kept in 1988.

The per-game average on TV and digital platforms was a 10% increase from last season’s 17.5 million and up 7% from 2023, according to the league and Nielsen. It also was just off the record average of 19 million, which was set in 1989.

Some of the increase can be attributed to a change in the way viewers are counted. Nielsen began using its Big Data + Panel methodology for all events last September with the start of the current television season.

Jones has lofty goal

FRISCO, Texas — Jerry Jones hasn’t even sniffed an NFL championship in the past 30 of his 37 years as owner, president and general manager of the Dallas Cowboys.

Yet the 83-year-old still has the goal of retiring as the owner with the most Super Bowl titles, despite New England’s Robert Kraft having twice as many as Jones’ three.

“Got work to do,” son Stephen Jones, the executive vice president of personnel, said at the club’s season-ending news conference Wednesday.

“I’ve got work to do,” Jerry Jones repeated. “But at least I’m up to the second rung of the ladder. My goal is to have retired and won a Super Bowl as an old man.”

Elsewhere:

– Three people have been arrested in connection with the Nov. 16 burglary at the home of Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders, the Medina County Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday.

– The Las Vegas Raiders have scheduled interviews this week with three coordinators for their coaching position and have requested to speak with a position coach as they look to replace Pete Carroll. Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak and Kansas City Chiefs OC Matt Nagy have scheduled interviews. The Raiders requested an interview with Broncos quarterbacks coach Davis Webb.