COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF

BEST NFL RECORDS, PAST 10 YEARS

Over the past 10 years, six NFL teams have posted a winning percentage of .600 or better, led by the NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (123-37, .769). Under the guidance of head coach BILL BELICHICK (right), the Patriots have won two Super Bowls and qualified for the postseason eight times during that span.

“Bill Belichick and his success is something to behold,” says CBS analyst and former NFL quarterback BOOMER ESIASON. “It is especially impressive in this day and age with the salary cap, where dynasties are hard to put together and then keep together.

“He is the greatest coach of his generation, there is no doubting that. He certainly belongs on the Mount Rushmore of head coaches in the NFL.”

The teams with the best regular-season records over the past 10 seasons (2002-11):

HARRIS POLL: PRO FOOTBALL IS AMERICA’S FAVORITE SPORT BY FAR

America’s favorite sport? Once again, professional football claims the top spot! And its popularity keeps growing.

For more than four decades, according to The Harris Poll, the NFL has been the most popular sport in America. 

In its most recent survey (released January 25, 2012), Harris – the pioneer in market research – reveals that pro football is the favorite sport of more than one-third of people (36 percent). That is nearly three times the next favorite sport, with 13 percent of people claiming baseball as their favorite sport. The gap between pro football and baseball has widened in the past year; last year, 31 percent said pro football was their favorite sport while 17 percent chose baseball. 

In addition, professional football has gained in popularity more than any other sport since 1985 with a 12 percent increase (from 24 to 36 percent).

The third favorite sport in the survey is college football at 13 percent, meaning that football is the favorite sport of nearly half of America’s sports fans (49 percent).

The five most popular sports according to The Harris Poll 2011 (released January 25, 2012):