Green Bay Packers are America's Favorite NFL Team, Poll Finds

(FOX Sports Wisconsin) - It shouldn't take a poll to point out what's obvious, but sometimes folks just have to see the numbers: The Green Bay Packers, not the Dallas Cowboys, are America's Team.

In fact, the Cowboys are America's least favorite team.

Proving it's not your imagination that Cheeseheads are becoming more and more ubiquitous, Public Policy Polling's most recent nationwide survey found that 22 percent of responders said the Packers are their favorite NFL team, a result that backs up the defending Super Bowl champion's massive TV ratings and wildly successful public stock sale this season.

The Cowboys, who have promoted the America's Team moniker for years, finished a distant second at 11 percent.

Packers players weren't surprised when the news hit the locker room Thursday.

Defensive end B.J. Raji said, "The majority of that poll, the people probably don't watch football. Why are there so many Cowboys fans? Because of all the success they were having in the '90s. It's not like people are genuine Cowboys fans.

"It's just how it is, and we happen to be the hot team right now. People just feel cool to say they're a Packers fan because you get a certain response nowadays," he added.

Tight end Jermichael Finley said, "Once you're in the Super Bowl, it should become somebody's favorite team, so that's not surprising at all."

The Bears, Giants and Steelers tied for third at eight percent, and the Saints (seven percent), Patriots (four percent), Redskins (four percent) and Jets (two percent) were next. Twenty-four percent named another team or said they didn't have a favorite team.

The Raleigh, N.C.-based polling agency also attempted to identify America's favorite quarterback.

Denver's Tim Tebow came out on top among the nine quarterbacks submitted, with 15 percent of the vote. The Giants' Eli Manning was second at 14 percent, with the Colts' Peyton Manning third at 12 percent. The Saints' Drew Brees and the Packers' Aaron Rodgers followed at 10 percent.

When fans were asked which NFL team is their least favorite, the Cowboys were the runaway winner at 22 percent. Eleven percent picked the Bears and eight percent the Packers. The Patriots and Redskins were at seven percent, and the Steelers were at six percent.

Public Policy Polling submitted nine teams to voters based on this year's Harris poll of NFL team popularity but swapped in the Saints for the Colts because of the Colts' 1-13 start to the season.

The polling agency surveyed 700 people from Dec. 16-18.

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