Patriots voted most "badass" team in NFL

Jim Rogash | Getty Images

The New England Patriots have received a ton of accolades over the past decade, and they recently received another new title.

After the Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter said this offseason that he wants a “badass football team,” his comments sparked a poll, conducted by Greg Augman of the Tampa Bay Times.

Augman contacted 43 NFL writers to see which team they thought were the most “badass” in the league, and New England was at the very top of that list.

1. Patriots (29 votes)
2. Seahawks (27)
3. Steelers (18)
4. Raiders (9)
5. Ravens (8)
6t. Broncos (6)
6t. Cowboys (6)
8. Bengals (4)
9t. Cardinals (2)
9t. Packers (2)
9t. Panthers (2)
9t. Texans (2)
The Chiefs, Falcons, Rams, Titans earned one vote each.

“They keep winning in a league designed to discourage dynasties,” said Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star.

Ralph Vacchiano of SNY added, “For a decade they’ve been toying with and laughing at the rest of the league. The biggest bullies on the block.”

Augman also included a poll to see who the writers thought was the most badass player. Two Patriots - Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski - finished on the top 10 of the list. Julian Edelman also received a vote by one of the writers.

1. James Harrison, Steelers LB (14 votes)
2t. Marshawn Lynch, Raiders RB (10)
2t. J.J. Watt, Texans DE (10)
4t. Kam Chancellor, Seahawks S (8)
4t. Ndamukong Suh, Dolphins DT (8)
6. Tom Brady, Patriots QB (7)
7. Von Miller, Broncos LB (6)
8t. Rob Gronkowski, Patriots TE (5)
8t. Khalil Mack, Raiders LB (5)
10. Aaron Donald, Rams DT (4)

While it is unknown what specifications were considered in one’s “baddassery,” New England fans always love seeing their team on top.

Follow Megan on Twitter: @carnahanmegan