America's Team


On Tuesday the results of a new Harris Poll were released and there is a new team with the title of America's Team — the Denver Broncos.

For years, America's Team has been the title of the Dallas Cowboys, a team with a rich tradition and a national following. But that hasn't been the case for more than a decade. The Cowboys haven't gone far in the post season since the 1990s, and the team hasn't even been able to finish better than 8-8 for more than three years. They've been the definition of mediocrity and missed opportunities.

Ironically, on Sunday the Cowboys posted their first signature win in some time — a 30-23 beating of the reigning Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks, in Seattle. The Cowboys have the league's top rusher in DeMarco Murray — an odds-on favorite to win NFL MVP at this point — and are tied for the league's best record at 5-1. In short, this looks like the year of the Cowboy's resurgence.

But it was the Broncos — a team that lost 43-8 in last year's Super Bowl — that are now America's Team. Worse yet, the Cowboys slipped to fourth in the poll, falling behind the rival New York Giants (in second place). Why? The answer is success.

The Giants have won two Super Bowls since the Cowboys were last relevant in the post season. Better yet, the Giants did it by besting the New England Patriots, a good franchise that's also despised by many outside of New England.

The Broncos, meanwhile, have Peyton Manning — perhaps the most decorated and most affable professional athlete currently playing. Manning's face is everywhere, and the Broncos have been fixtures in the national telecasts during his three years with the team. The Broncos have also been successful, finishing 13-3 and atop the AFC the last two seasons, even making the Super Bowl in February.

America's Team has to have a presence on the national stage and success. That's been the Broncos for the past few seasons, but not so much for the Cowboys. There's a lot of season left, but I can't help but think it would be fun, and somewhat fitting, if these two franchises met again on the national stage in February.

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