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Nov 5, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; against the Washington Commanders fan Steven Boyd aka Rally Captain poses for a photo prior to a game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Fans from every team in the National Football League claim to have the best fan base, but it is challenging to determine objectively. However, we can try to evaluate which group of NFL supporters is the most satisfied.

After analyzing over 20,000 selfies captured at each NFL stadium, Underscoreg Review used AI facial recognition technology to identify which fan bases had the most smiles in their photos.

Which NFL team has the happiest fan base, despite their recent performance on the field? It’s likely not the team you were thinking of.

NFL’s happiest fan bases

RankTeamRate
1Washington Commanders61.0%
2Green Bay Packers59.0%
3Tennessee Titans57.4%
4Jacksonville Jaguars55.5%
5New Orleans Saints55.2%

This situation is quite remarkable. The Commanders had a disappointing record of 4-13 in 2023, and FedEx Field is ranked as the worst stadium in the NFL by The Athletic. This is the second time it has received this title in the past three years. Additionally, the team’s roster does not have many star players. So, Washington fans, what are your thoughts on this?

With that being said, it’s worth noting that Maryland came in third place in Wallethub’s latest assessment of the happiest states in the United States. The state trailed only Utah and Hawaii, and was among the top eight in all three key categories, including fourth in work environment, fifth in community and environment, and eighth in emotional and physical well-being.

I believe that this factor significantly influences the outcomes of this study, as otherwise, those elated individuals would not have a justification for their immense happiness at a Commanders home game.

In our analysis, the Green Bay Packers claim the second spot, which is a logical conclusion. The Packers have been a consistently successful team in the NFL, boasting the third-highest number of wins in the 21st Century. Additionally, Lambeau Field is ranked third in the Athletic rankings, receiving top votes from six panel members.

According to selfie data, the Tennessee Titans and New Orleans Saints have the third and fifth happiest fans in the NFL. Interestingly, both teams have stadiums located within the top five areas with the highest number of bars within a one-mile radius. It seems that pre-game partying may contribute to the abundance of smiles seen in the stands.

The Jacksonville Jaguars secured a spot in the top five, possibly because of their pleasant weather and improving team performance. However, in a surprising turn of events, TIAA Bank Field ranked second to last in The Athletic’s stadium survey.

Atlanta Falcons female fans in costumes react against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second half during an NFL International Series game at Wembley Stadium.
Oct 1, 2023; London, United Kingdom; Atlanta Falcons female fans in costumes react against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second half during an NFL International Series game at Wembley Stadium. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

NFL’s saddest fan bases

RankTeamRate
1Atlanta Falcons9.9%
2Kansas City Chiefs8.0%
T3Seattle Seahawks7.9%
T3Buffalo Bills7.9%
5Dallas Cowboys7.7%

Oh, how I’ve missed having common sense.

Fans of the Atlanta Falcons are known for claiming to be the most downtrodden in the NFL, citing a history of disappointing results and questionable coaching decisions. However, there is hope for the future with the recent hiring of a new head coach.

Each team in the third through fifth positions has their own valid reasons to feel disappointed.

The Seahawks started last season strong with a 6-3 record, but struggled towards the end and missed the playoffs for the second time in three years. Bills fans have been wearing permanent scowls on their faces since the four consecutive Super Bowl losses in the 1990s, and recent heartbreaking defeats have only added to their frustration. As for the Cowboys, their history of disappointments could fill up a lot of time.

So, the only team remaining on the list is the Kansas City Chiefs, the reigning back-to-back Super Bowl champions, with four Super Bowl appearances in five years. They are currently the odds-on favorite to win a third consecutive title.

Oh, how I long for common sense.

NFL’s angriest fan bases

RankTeamRate
1Philadelphia Eagles4.2%
2Las Vegas Raiders4.0%
3Kansas City Chiefs3.6%
4Pittsburgh Steelers3.4%
5Chicago Bears3.3%

We have some tough and dedicated fan bases here, including the Chiefs. Seriously.

Pennsylvania sports fans are known for their intense passion, so it’s no surprise that the Eagles and Steelers are both ranked among the top four most passionate fan bases. The Raiders also have a strong following, especially after a disappointing season where they cycled through four subpar quarterbacks and narrowly missed the playoffs.

The Bears complete this list, and to be honest, I thought they would be ranked higher. With the constant quarterback debates, the issues with former running backs coach David Walker, and their consistently poor performance on the field (which will be discussed further in the next section), it’s no surprise that the Bears received criticism in 2023.

Chicago Bears fan is upset after the Los Angeles Chargers score a touchdown against the Chicago Bears during the first quarter at SoFi Stadium.
Oct 29, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Chicago Bears fan is upset after the Los Angeles Chargers score a touchdown against the Chicago Bears during the first quarter at SoFi Stadium. Jonathan Hui-USA TODAY Sports

Other NFL selfie results

NFL’s most disgusted fans: Chicago Bears

After beginning the season 0-4 following 10 consecutive losses in the previous year, it’s no wonder you appear as though you’d prefer consuming poison. And to add insult to injury for Bears fans, Chicago equaled an NFL record by squandering three double-digit fourth-quarter leads in 2023. Ouch!

NFL’s most surprised fans: Dallas Cowboys

You have to hand it to Cowboys fans: They are a passionate group (in terms of emotions, not legal convictions). Whether you support Dallas, you’re either overly optimistic or hopelessly pessimistic. As a result, half of the fan base is surprised when they win, while the other half is shocked when they lose.

NFL’s calmest fans: Houston Texans

Drive your Lincoln out of Dallas and head south on I-45 for a little over three hours to discover the laid-back vibe of Houston, where you’ll meet some of the most relaxed people this side of Matthew McConaughey. According to BestLife, a lifestyle website, Houston was ranked sixth among the most calming cities in the U.S. The study praised the city for its numerous walking trails and minimal noise and pollution levels.

NFL’s most scared fans: Dallas Cowboys

Being a Cowboys fan seems to take a toll emotionally. They experience sadness, surprise, and even fear. Some of the selfies may have been taken during their disappointing Wild Card Round loss to Green Bay, where they were down by 32 points at one point. That kind of defeat is enough to scare anyone.

Methodology

We analyzed over 20,000 selfies captured in all 32 NFL stadiums, and utilized AI facial recognition technology to identify the emotions conveyed in the images.