A recent study conducted by Sportsgeek into NFL fandom discovered huge discrepancies in how fans see their teamś chances to succeed. A closer look at NFL fan bases ranked finds that Jets fans are completely delusional, with Browns fans aligned with reality. We take a look at the study’s key findings and learn more about how NFL fans’ outlook for their team compares to what the experts have to say.
NFL Fan Bases Ranked: Key Takeaways
Key Takeaways
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New York Jets fans are the NFL’s most delusional, scoring 85.1/100 based on fan expectations vs. betting odds across wins, playoffs, division, reaching the Super Bowl, and winning it.
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Cleveland Browns fans are the most realistic, scoring just 8.2/100, compared with 38.5+ for every other fanbase.
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Jets fans would go the furthest for a ring, with an NFL-high 68% sacrifice rate, including 62% willing to take a 10% pay cut and 30% willing to get a face tattoo.
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NFL fans would sacrifice plenty for a Super Bowl: 66% would wear a rival jersey for a year, 44% would get a team tattoo, and 9% would get a face tattoo.
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Steelers fans are the NFL’s most loyal: 74% have supported Pittsburgh for 20+ years or their entire lives, versus 48% league-wide.
NFL Fan Bases Ranked: Full Data Set
The table below ranks supporters of all 32 NFL teams on a 0–100 Fan Delusion scale, benchmarked against sportsbook odds available in late August 2026, ahead of Week 1. The higher the number, the more hometown expectations outrun the betting market.
The full 32-team Fan Delusion Score
NFL Fan Bases Ranked: The Most Delusional Fanbase, New York Jets
Jets fans take the cake for their delusion. The study took a look at several questions where there are betting odds to compare fans´ visions with, including:
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% chance to make the Super Bowl
New York Jets fans are also the boldest when it comes to what they would sacrifice to see their team make it to the Super Bowl, including getting tattooed, giving up sex, taking a pay cut, and wearing a rival jersey.
NFL Fan Bases Ranked: The Least Delusional Fanbase, Cleveland Browns
Browns fans are the opposite of reality, as they are consistent with what the experts think: the Browns will struggle. Interestingly enough, sportsbooks predict the Browns to have 6.5 wins, with fan rankings averaging less, at 5.3 wins.
The Last Word
The rankings shed light on how fans view their teams´ successes in 2026 compared to what the experts and sportsbooks predict. NFL fans have rational and irrational reasons why their team is going to do well in 2026, just as they have reasons to be pessimistic. An interesting observation about Philadelphia Eagles fans came up in the study when it comes to Super Bowl aspirations. 70% of Eagles fans predict a Super Bowl berth, compared to just 4.1% of the experts. The bottom line is that football fans are not known for being objective and rational. Bring on the 2026 season and enjoy the ride!
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