NFL (part 1): Charge into San Diego

In the days leading up to the 2007 season, the Super Bowl race focuses on three teams. First, there is the New England Patriots, who were a defensive stop away from the Super Bowl last year and have added Randy Moss and Adalius Thomas to a talent-rich roster. The Patriots will be trying to derail the defending world champions Indianapolis Colts, who still have an offense that gives opposing coaches nightmares, the one run by perhaps the greatest quarterback ever. However, at a ridiculously short price of 9/2 we simply cannot entertain backing a team that is bound to take some time to gel. Baltimore weren't consistently dominant in 2006 and didn't win a playoff game, factors that overshadowed a 13-3 season that came equipped with just the second division title in franchise history. Many of the team's biggest stars - Steve McNair (34 years of age), Jonathan Ogden (33), Ray Lewis (32), and Chris McAllister (30) among them - are believed to be on the decline, and so they too are not on the shortlist. The AFC team that excites me the most has to be San Diego, who went a league-best 14-2 last season, The Chargers welcome back everyone of note, and have the added motivation of making up for the loss to New England in the Divisional round last year. The Chargers' weak link has long been the secondary. The group's performance, particularly on third down, was deemed a priority in the off-season. New secondary coaches Bill Bradley and Kevin Ross were brought in and new defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell has installed some disguises to the defense. Training camp reports indicate the defensive unit have responded well, and an increase in turnovers during the regular season is expected. If the defense makes the expected improvements, and the wide receivers step up to support the outstanding Tomlinson and Gates, it is hard to see a weak link anywhere. As a result a best price of 7/1 looks well worth an investment.