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ENGLEWOOD, Colo. –According to a recent poll, there's a new "America's Team" in the NFL.
And that team is the Denver Broncos.
The poll was conducted by Public Policy Polling, a North Carolina-based polling company. PPP polled 741 people between December 13th and 17th, and 14 percent of respondents said the Broncos were their favorite NFL team – the most of any team. The Dallas Cowboys, who are typically referred to as "America's Team," came in second place with 12 percent of the vote.
PPP indicated that quarterback Peyton Manning has been the driving force behind the Broncos' popularity, as he was the most-popular quarterback in the NFL by a considerable margin. Of the respondents, 22 percent said Manning was their favorite quarterback. The next-highest passers both got 13 percent of the vote — a tie between Tom Brady and Robert Griffin III.
On the other end of the spectrum, just five percent said that Manning was their least-favorite quarterback.
Overall, 62 percent said they have a favorable opinion of Manning compared to just nine percent who have an unfavorable opinion of him. It's been hard not enjoy Manning's on-field performance this season, as he rewrote the NFL record books.
He opened the season tying an NFL record for passing touchdowns in a game with seven of them and he finished the season setting the single-season record for touchdown passes with 55 and passing yards with 5,477 yards.
Of course, the Broncos as a team have also seen success as they claimed the AFC's top seed with a 13-3 record. PPP noted that the favorite team of the country usually reflects the standings. When PPP conducted the poll in 2011, the Packers – who finished 15-1 – were the favorite team.
