New England Patriots’ New Harris Poll Ranking Is Not Surprising
By Justin Patrick
@calling_allfans
Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
A new Harris Poll survey which polled 2,543 adults (1,275 of whom advised they follow professional football) online from Sept. 10-17 this year to see which NFL team is America’s favorite. For six consecutive years the Dallas Cowboys ranked No. 1, but surprisingly they dropped to No. 4 this year. Given the Denver Broncos‘ success and who quarterbacks their team, it is less than surprising that they have taken over the No. 1 spot this year.
What is not stunning is that the New England Patriots are ranked eighth. The Cowboys are certainly loved and loathed with equal passion by different fans, and even though Dallas has not won anything of consequence since the 1990s, they built up equity in previous decades; the Cowboys being ranked first for so many years is not shocking.
The Patriots do not have the luxury of equity from past decades, and their organization, particularly because of QB Tom Brady and head coach Bill Belichick, is one of the most polarizing in all of sports, so the Patriots falling outside the top five is somewhat expected. If you grew up a Patriots fan you’re probably still rooting for Brady and company, but if not you’re probably latching onto another team.
On the flip side, it’s not shocking that the Patriots managed to sneak their way into the top 10. The Patriots may be easy to hate in some circles, which kept them out of the top five, but New England fans are diehard and loyal. Very rarely, if ever, do Patriots fans switch their allegiance to another team. New England fans may have players on other teams they root for because of their fantasy team or other NFL teams they kind of like, but above all else they root for the Patriots.
Even though the sample size for this survey was far too small, this is probably an accurate ranking for the Patriots. Just know that the New England faithful and Brady and Belichick don’t really care if other fans hate the Patriots or where they ranked in the Harris Poll. All that is important is that the Patriots continue their winning ways and hoist a fourth Lombardi Trophy.
Justin Patrick is a New England Patriots writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @calling_allfans, like him on Facebook and add him to your network on Google. You can also email him at [email protected]
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