Patriots Pass Cowboys As Most Hated NFL Team, Poll Finds
BOSTON (CBS) – The Patriots may have fallen just short of the Super Bowl this year. But they're taking home one title this week.
Public Policy Polling released the results of its annual survey leading up to Super Bowl Sunday.
The organization found that for the first time since the poll began, the Dallas Cowboys are not the most hated team in the NFL. Instead, the Patriots have taken over that "honor."
Read: Public Policy Polling NFL Survey
In the poll, 23 percent of fans said the Patriots are their least favorite team, while 20 percent picked the Cowboys. No other team was in double digits.
When it comes to quarterback Tom Brady, Public Policy Polling describes him as a "lightning rod."
That's because Brady was voted as fans' favorite and least favorite quarterback.
Brady was selected as most favorite quarterback with 23 percent of the vote, topping Peyton Manning at 16 percent, Aaron Rodgers at 13 percent, and Cam Newton at 11 percent.
But New England's star signal caller racked up even more votes as least favorite quarterback. He was chosen by 29 percent of fans.
Tim Tebow, who is no longer in the league, came in as the second least favorite quarterback at 10 percent. No one else finished in double digits.
Overall, 46 percent of people said they have a favorable opinion of Brady compared to 39 percent with an unfavorable opinion of the quarterback.
Despite the high level of disdain for the Patriots, they were also chosen by 11 percent of those surveyed for most favorite team. That is good for third behind the Green Bay Packers and Carolina Panthers.