ESPN's “Monday Night Football” suffered its 4th-lowest rating ever on ESPN for its matchup between the Miami Dolphins and Carolina Panthers.

The game drew a 6.2 rating in metered markets, which was an 18-percent drop from the week prior. Only three other Monday night games since 2006 on ESPN have drawn smaller audiences, including a Week 6 contest between the Colts and Titans that drew a 6.1 rating.

Monday Night Football didn't fare well locally in Miami, with the game delivering a relatively weak 12.1 rating. Saturday night's Notre Dame-Miami college football showdown drew a 15.1 rating.

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The poor ratings come as the NFL continues to deal with the controversy of player protests during the national anthem.

Three Miami Dolphins kneeled for the anthem on Monday night while all players on the Carolina Panthers stood as the league celebrated Veterans Day weekend by honoring the military.

President Trump has repeatedly condemned the protests on Twitter while challenging NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s leadership.

Two dozen NFL players continue to kneel during the National Anthem, showing total disrespect to our Flag & Country. No leadership in NFL! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 23, 2017

Overall, ratings are down five percent from last year and 18 percent overall since 2015. Attendance at NFL games is down two percent from 2016, according to Forbes.

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Only 44 percent of those polled in October by the Winston Group said they had a favorable view of the league, down from 57 percent last year.

“The fall off in favorables occurred among important audiences. Among males, NFL favorables fell 23 percentage points, going from 68 percent to 45 percent,” according to Winston.

“In looking at a more specific audience, males 34-54, NFL favorables fell 31 percentage points, going from 73 percent to 42 percent. Among this group the NFL has a surprising negative image, as it went from +54 percent (73 percent favorable-19 percent unfavorable) in August to -5 percent (42 percent favorable-47 percent unfavorable) in September.”