The five most likable teams in the NFL

By Bruce Ewing | Last updated Oct 22, 2023 4:44 PM ET

The NFL season isn’t a popularity contest, but if it was, these five teams (in no particular order) would be top seeds.

Pittsburgh Steelers

After 90 years of team ownership, the Rooneys are considered NFL royalty. Under their leadership, the Steelers have been one of the league’s most consistent teams, with a 700-600-22 record that includes six Super Bowl championships.

Pittsburgh’s last losing season came way back in 2003, and it hasn't suffered consecutive losing seasons since 1998-99. Bill Cowher was in charge back then, one of just three head coaches the team has employed since 1969.

The Steelers haven’t had a playoff win since 2016, but under head coach Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh fans can rest easy knowing they’ll always have one of the best head coaches in the NFL.

Miami Dolphins

Dolphins fans can rest easy knowing they have one of the most talented rosters in recent memory. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa leads the league with 1,876 yards and 14 touchdowns, while wide receiver Tyreek Hill leads the NFL with 814 yards and six touchdowns.

Neither running back De’Von Achane or Raheem Mostert lead the league in rushing, but they're both in the top-10 with 889 yards between them. This year, coach Mike McDaniels’ offense is averaging 103.7 more yards per game than any other team, making the Dolphins one of the best stories of 2023.

San Francisco 49ers

Did someone say talented roster? McDaniels’ old team has players like Brandon Aiyuk, Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle and Deebo Samuel, and that’s just the offense. On defense, players like Nick Bosa, Javon Hargrave and Fred Warner give up a league-low 14.5 points per game.

Throw in an 111.9 passer rating (second-best in the NFL) for 2022’s “Mr. Irrelevant” Brock Purdy and it’s almost impossible not to like the 49ers. If only they’d stop whining about last year’s NFC Championship game.

Jacksonville Jaguars

“DUUUVAL!” That’s adorable, and so are the Jaguars. Take Jacksonville head coach Doug Pederson. How can anyone not like a guy that once used a trick play to beat Bill Belichick’s Patriots in Super Bowl LII?

More importantly, Pederson’s Jags came within seven points of last year’s AFC Championship game after suffering through a 3-14 season under former head coach Urban Meyer. At 5-2, Jacksonville is head and shoulders above teams in the AFC South and a safe bet to make noise in this year’s playoffs.

Kansas City Chiefs

As if eight straight playoff appearances and two Super Bowl championships in the last four years weren’t enough, the Chiefs now have 94.6M “Swifties” on their side thanks to tight end Travis Kelce. So much for the “12th Man.”

Including playoffs, the Chiefs have a .679 winning percentage under head coach Andy Reid, and with quarterback Patrick Mahomes it’s even better. Some members of Mahomes’ family make it hard to be a fan at times, but as long as he and Reid keep making us laugh with those insurance commercials, Chiefs Nation will call gladly it even.

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