[CBFF] Patriots, Bears NFL Conference Favorites

[Steve Behrens]

Patriots, Bears NFL Conference Favorites at BetOnline

The *New England Patriots* and *the Chicago Bears* are the favorites to win
conference championships in the 2007-08 NFL season, according to odds
released by Internet sportsbook
BetOnline<http://www.betonline.com/Track/BET_171_1_37_8.asp>
.

The Patriots, who are also favored to win the *Super Bowl* next season, are
+150-moneyline <http://www.betonline.com/Track/BET_171_1_37_8.asp> favorites
at BetOnline to win the 2008 American Football Conference Championship,
while the Bears are +350 favorites to take the National Football Conference
title.

The Patriots lost 38-34 to the Indianapolis Colts, the eventual Super Bowl
champion, in last season's AFC Championship game. The Bears beat the New
Orleans Saints 39-14 in the NFC Championship.

Heading into the 2007-08 season, New England has added some key free-agent
acquisitions to an already talented group that includes *QB Tom Brady*, WRs
Reche Caldwell and Doug Gabriel, and RB Laurence Maroney on offense, LBs
Tedy Bruschi and Mike Vrabel and DE Ty Warren on defense.

In Chicago, quarterback *Rex Grossman* surprised many with an outstanding
2006-07 season, and should be as good or better this season. The Bears have
a solid foundation and arguably the NFL's best defense, which will be even
better in the coming campaign. Along with Head Coach Lovie Smith's signing
to a new long-term contract, the Bears should be able to take it one step
further this season.

Other conference championship contenders, with BetOnline lines, are: San
Diego Chargers (+300) and the Colts (+400) in the AFC, and the Dallas
Cowboys (+380) and Carolina Panthers (+400) in the NFC.

The San Diego Chargers had a great regular season at 14-2 but fell apart in
the playoffs, which led to the dismissal of HC *Marty Schottenheimer*, OC
Cam Cameron and DC Wade Phillips. This young, talented group will be coached
by Head Coach Norv Turner this season.

And in Dallas, with HC *Bill Parcels* gone, quarterback Tony Romo should
excel, along with his myriad weapons, including Marion Barber, TO, Terry
Glenn, Julius Jones and Jason Witten.