For a generation we've heard that the Dallas Cowboys are/were "America's Team." It was a label that was one-part marketing campaign, and one-part '90s fair-weather fan. Not it appears that those fans have jumped to a different ship, this one captained by the NFL's ageless wonder: Peyton Manning.
Yes, the Denver Broncos have bucked the Cowboys and ascended to the top spot as the favorite NFL team of the U.S. And even though many of us thought that Dallas's designation as "America's Team" was thought up by owner Jerry Jones, it turns out there was some truth to it as they had topped the Harris Poll fan survey for the past six years. Now they find themselves in fourth place behind the Broncos, as well as the New York Giants and Green Bay Packers.
If you're wondering where the Super Bowl champs are, they're locked in sixth place (which seems low) but it comes after a jump from 12th last year, the highest single-season climb on the chart.
Also, if you're curious as to who the bottom feeders of the poll are, those unenviable slots are occupied by the Jaguars and Titans who tied for 31st in the 32 team league. In fact, in the past decade the Jaguars have come in last every year except for one (including the past five seasons). Judging by their 0-6 record thus far in the 2014 campaign, we don't expect that trend to change anytime soon.
[via Harris Poll]
