Ratings for Super Bowl XLIII between the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons were the lowest since 2009 when the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Arizona Cardinals.

The game earned a 44.9 overnight rating compared to 47.7 for last year's game between the Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles.

The ratings loss ran counter to the gains the NFL made up during the season.

Both the 2017 and 2018 Super Bowls suffered modest overnight ratings declines from the previous Super Bowl, but nothing compared to the major viewership declines the N.F.L. suffered during both of those regular seasons.

The Super Bowl earned a 26.1 rating in New Orleans; last year’s Super Bowl earned a 53.0.