PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 18: A general view of Heinz Field during opening ceremonies before the start of the game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Seattle Seahawks on September 18, 2011 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
According to an ESPN poll of a random sample of 1,500 Americans, the Steelers are the third-most popular team in the NFL.
The poll was conducted by asking participants 12 years of age and older which team was their favorite. Since 1994, this survey has polled 390,000 Americans, and the results are cumulative.
The Dallas Cowboys were No. 1 with 8.8 percent of the vote. The Green Bay Packers were No. 2 at 7.2, barely edging out the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants, who both had 7.1 percent, good for third place.
The New England Patriots (6.8 percent) Chicago Bears (4.2 percent) and New Orleans Saints finished 5-7, respectively. The San Francisco 49ers (4.0 percent), Philadelphia Eagles (3.9 percent) and Denver Broncos (3.8 percent) rounded out the top 10.
The poll did not indicate whether fans voting for other teams were aware of the fact no other team has won six Super Bowls the way the Steelers had, or what their opinion was on how they determine the real best franchise in the league.
Dallas has missed the playoffs in three of the last four seasons, and has won one playoff game since 1998.
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