UPDATE, 11:22 AM: With some help from the NFL and Tom Brady, fast national ratings have The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon scoring another win over The Late Show With Stephen Colbert last night. In fast nationals, the third night of the new CBS late night host’s show pulled in another 0.8 rating among adults 18-49. Looks like the visit from Vice-President Joe Biden didn’t gain Colbert any traction in the key demo, but, even with Wednesday’s Night 2 results, didn’t lose him any either. What is also of note, is that the Late Show held steady in the demo despite some direct NFL competition.

Pushed back to a 12:27 PM start because of overrun from the NFL season kickoff game between the New England Patriots and the Pittsburgh Steelers, Fallon saw a 23% rise in the demo over Wednesday show to a 1.5 rating. ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! saw a 7% demo lift from Wednesday night to a 0.49 rating.

While Fallon is clearly on top with a 16% win demowise over Colbert and Kimmel combined, let’s put some perspective on that. Never underestimate the benefit of a NFL overrun to see the numbers inflated. Which is to say, even with the later start, Fallon’s win might require an adjustment later.

Viewershipwise all the ships were rising in late night last night with Colbert up 7% to 3.934 million and Fallon bopped 6% to 4.308 million. With 2.243 million overall viewers, Kimmel had the biggest upward movement with a 22% rise over Wednesday night.

PREVIOUS, 6:48 AM: Not sure if it was quite the Biden bounce that CBS expected but The Late Show With Stephen Colbert was up a touch in its third night. With a much promoted and very emotional interview with Vice President Joe Biden, The Late Show scored a 3.3/8 result in metered market ratings.

That’s up just over 3% from the slide of Colbert’s second night and actually a match with The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. However, while up 6% himself, Fallon was pushed back an hour due to the kickoff of the NFL season on NBC running late. So, expect some adjustment there. ABC’s Jimmy, Kimmel that is, was the big leaper of Thursday night. Jimmy Kimmel Live! saw a rise of 20% in MM results from the night before to a 1.8/5.

Compared to the comparable night last year, last night’s Late Show was up a not to be scoffed at 65%. That needs to be given some context by the fact that the then David Letterman hosted show was delayed due to NFL games on CBS that night.