National Football League

Cheerleaders bring teams little cheer?

Published Dec. 27, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

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If the Dallas Cowboys do not win the Super Bowl this year, owner Jerry Jones should turn his ire to the sidelines.

But not at head coach Jason Garrett. Instead, he should blame the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders.

Based on recent history, having cheerleaders on the sidelines may be the ultimate championship killer.

There are six teams in the NFL that do not have cheerleaders: the Bears, Browns, Giants, Lions, Packers and Steelers. Those franchises have won four of the last six Super Bowls and have made up half of the Super Bowl participants during that span.

Last year, Green Bay beat Pittsburgh in the first-ever Super Bowl that did not include cheerleaders from either squad. The Steelers won Super Bowls XLIII (2009) and XL (2006), while the Giants stunned the undefeated New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII (2008). The Bears played in Super Bowl XLI (2007), but not having cheerleaders was not enough to overcome the Indianapolis Colts.

This season is no exception. The Packers and Steelers are once again among the best teams in their respective conferences, while the Lions have clinched a wild-card spot and the Giants remain in playoff contention ahead of Super Bowl XLVI at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (The Browns are in last place, but some teams are simply beyond help.)

Of course, at least one of the six teams that does not have cheerleaders may be wishing it still did. The Bears disbanded their cheerleading squad, the Honey Bears, right after the 1985 season, the last time they won the Super Bowl.

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