The numbers are preliminary overnights, but based on the 6.0 rating for last night's prime-time game between the Ravens and 49ers, the NFL Network is declaring it the largest Thursday night audience in the channel's history.

A tweet from network spokesman Dan Masonson this morning also said the audience for last night's 16 to 6 Ravens vistory was up 43 percent from that of last Thanksgiving.

This is the network's sixth season of prime-time Thursday night games.

Since it is a holiday weekend, it could be a while before we get more definitive ratings.

Read my review of the network's TV performance on Thursday here.

In a piece published Wednesday at this blog, NFL network executives and talent predicted the game could be one of the biggest in its history.