Buy the numbers.

NFLShop.com released sales data for between April 1, 2011 and Feb. 29, 2012, with interesting results. Here's the list of the top 25 jersey sellers:

There's the usual big names there, mostly quarterbacks. Eli Manning obviously got a boost with his Super Bowl victory, but Aaron Rodgers and, interestingly, Tim Tebow edged him out. Rodgers makes sense; he won a Super Bowl the season before, put up huge numbers several seasons in a row, and plays for the Packers, a team with as loyal and rabid a fan-base as any. Tebow doesn't have nearly the statistical pedigree of... well, anyone on this list. His inclusion speaks to his national presence and popularity; people know who he is and, largely, like him, despite a season that, while good, didn't light the league on fire like, say, Rodgers or Drew Brees. The religious factor comes into play, but I don't think that's enough to explain how he's outselling players like Tom Brady. He's a man of great character and with a great story. People see him as a breath of fresh air. He's unique, and in one of the best ways possible.

Also interesting is Victor Cruz's inclusion. No one knew who he was at the start of the season, but after he came out of nowhere and led his Super Bowl-winning team in receiving yards, his popularity skyrocketed. People like the "man off the street" underdog superstar idea, and he's a great example of how instantaneously stardom can arrive.

Despite lingering unpopularity (and even outright hatred) from his dog-fighting scandal, Michael Vick cracked the top-ten. Name-recognition goes a long way, even with a clouded reputation and a less-than-stellar season. Same goes for the Dallas Cowboys on the list, who, like the Eagles, missed the playoffs, but still have the fame and fans to make this list.

It's interesting to see Peyton Manning here, but not too surprising. He's still possibly the biggest name in the game, and he doesn't even have to play to have that status. Peyton Manning is football. People who don't even watch football--who don't even like football--know who he is. So what if he had neck surgery? So what if his future career is in doubt? He's Peyton freaking Manning.

Mark Sanchez is the only Jet on this list. You'd think they'd be represented by a good player, like Derrelle Revis, but that's the way it goes.

Troy Polamalu is the highest-ranked of the few defensive players on the list. No Roethlisberger, no Mike Wallace, no Rashard Mendenhall... we know what Steelers fans value: hard-hitting defense. Same goes for the Bears and Ravens and their popular linebackers Urlacher and Lewis.