New Years is on a Sunday so the NFL gets that day, which is also Week 17. The same thing happened in the 05 season, which was the last time New Years Day was on a Sunday. Wouldn't the major bowl games be better on Saturday the 31st rather than Monday afternoon when a lot of people are back at work already? That would probably hurt the ratings. Granted, New Year's Eve probably isn't the best day, but it would be better than a weekday.