Peyton Manning finally hoisted the Lombardi Trophy last season, but Indianapolis will find repeating extremely daunting. (Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

With the Michael Vick dogfighting fiasco on the backburner for the time being, the NFL can finally shift its attention to the upcoming season.

The main storylines remain in the AFC, where two teams are attempting to rebound from disheartening playoff defeats, while another is seeking to repeat as Super Bowl champion.

The New England Patriots, who lost the AFC title game to their archrivals from Indianapolis, have reloaded with several key free-agent signings and traded for controversial wide receiver Randy Moss.

But the Patriots will have to overcome the absences of both safety Rodney Harrison and defensive end Richard Seymour. Harrison has been suspended four games for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy and Seymour will miss at least the first six weeks due to a knee injury.

In San Diego, the Chargers hope new coach Norv Turner can help the league's most talented team get over a crushing post-season defeat to the Patriots with the same roster.

Despite the contrasting off-seasons, both franchises are gearing up to challenge the Colts, who won their first Super Bowl in more than three decades last year. However, Indianapolis won't have an easy time claiming a second straight title - several free-agent defections have left the defence in a vulnerable position. The Colts will be forced to play with two new cornerbacks after Jason David and Nick Harper took their services to the highest bidders.

The NFC will once again be contested with no clear-cut favourite. The Chicago Bears and the New Orleans Saints - conference finalists from a year ago - remain the top contenders, but fans shouldn't be surprised if the Cowboys, Seahawks, Eagles and 49ers also make a run.

THE FAVOURITES

San Diego Chargers
2006-07 record: 14-2
Best result: 1995 Super Bowl finalist
2006-07 result: Lost to New England in the AFC divisional playoffs
The Chargers have the best balance of any NFL team and should be able to move on without any lingering effects from their playoff collapse. New coach Norv Turner will design an offensive game plan around all-world running back LaDainian Tomlinson. The workhorse veteran, who broke the NFL's season record with 31 touchdowns, is surrounded by a strong supporting cast, including second-year pivot Philip Rivers. On defence, linebacker Shawn Merriman leads a unit predicated on attacking opposing quarterbacks. With18 starters returning from a team that won an NFL-best 14 games last season, continuity will also be an advantage for San Diego.
Key player: LaDainian Tomlinson

New England Patriots
2006-07 record: 12-4
Best result: Three-time Super Bowl champions
2006-07 result: Lost to Indianapolis in the AFC championship game
A loss in the waning moments of the AFC title game prompted the Patriots to make several off-season moves. First, New England signed versatile defender Adalius Thomas away from the Baltimore Ravens to strengthen its linebacking unit. The Pats then added receivers Donte' Stallworth, Wes Welker and Moss, giving quarterback Tom Brady the best set of weapons he's ever had in his eight years with the team. On paper, this could be the franchise's most explosive team, which is saying a lot for a squad that has already won three Super Bowls this decade.
Key player: Tom Brady

Chicago Bears
2006-07 record: 13-3
Best result: 1986 Super Bowl champions
2006-07 result: Lost to Indianapolis in the Super Bowl
It's truly amazing that a team with such an inconsistent quarterback could advance all the way to the Super Bowl. But the Bears have one of the most dominant defences in the league and also play in the NFL's weakest division. Chicago boasts a fast defensive unit led by middle linebacker Brian Urlacher and the return of tackle Tommie Harris. The formula for success remains the same in Chicago: play smash-mouth defence and rely on a strong running game. To that extent, new starting tailback Cedric Benson should take some pressure off Rex Grossman.
Key player: Tommie Harris

Indianapolis Colts
2006-07 record: 12-4
Best result: Two-time Super Bowl champions
2006-07 result: Super Bowl champions
Peyton Manning finally was able to hoist the Lombardi Trophy last season, but Indianapolis will find repeating extremely daunting. The Colts lost several key defensive players during the free-agent period and also suffered major setbacks when they learned OT Tarik Glenn (retired) and DT Anthony McFarland (knee injury) would miss the upcoming season. Still, any time a team features Manning, good things usually follow. Manning will once again lead an explosive attack, along with receivers Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne and second-year running back Joseph Addai.
Key player: Peyton Manning

ON THE RISE

NFC

Can Reggie Bush avoid the sophmore jinx? (Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

New Orleans Saints
2006-07 record: 10-6
Best result: 2007 NFC Conference finalist
2006-07 result: Lost to Chicago in the NFC championship game
The Saints were the feel-good story of last season and return as one of a number of NFC teams capable to making a run to the Super Bowl. New Orleans ranked first in the NFL in total offence, which was largely due to the efforts of quarterback Drew Bress. The veteran pivot picked apart defences with his quick decisions and accuracy. The emergence of second-year players Reggie Bush and Marques Colston will also make life difficult for defensive co-ordinators attempting to devise strategies to stop the Saints' offensive juggernaut.
Key player: Reggie Bush

AFC
Denver Broncos
2006-07 record: 9-7
Best result: Two-time Super Bowl champions
2006-07 result: Missed the playoffs
Although the Broncos failed to qualify playoffs last season, they did discover their quarterback for the next decade. Jay Cutler, the team's first-round pick in 2006, showed off a great arm and a gunslinger's mentality during a five-game stretch in his rookie season. Cutler is surrounded by a number of quality offensive players, including receiver Javon Walker and free-agent tight end Daniel Graham. Defensively, the Broncos have the NFL's best cornerback in Champ Bailey, but will need to improve against the run if they are to keep pace in the tough AFC West.
Key player: Jay Cutler

ON A SLIDE

NFC
Carolina
2006-07 record: 8-8
Best result: 2004 Super Bowl finalist
2006-07 result: Missed the playoffs
A trendy Super Bowl pick just one season ago, the Panthers' demise can be blamed on the poor play of both lines. The running game, a team strength for a numbers of years, suffered because of the inconsistent performance of the offensive line. While the Panthers have one of NFL's most dominant pass rushers in Julius Peppers, the rest of the unit underachieved and allowed too many big plays. Quarterback Jake Delhomme will also have to significantly upgrade his play if he's to hold off backup David Carr.
Key player: Julius Peppers

AFC
Pittsburgh
2006-07 record: 8-8
Best result: Five-time Super Bowl champions
2006-07 result: Missed the playoffs
In less than one year, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger went from Super Bowl champion to regular-season disappointment. After helping the Steelers win the 2006 title, Roethlisberger endured a motorcycle accident and an emergency appendectomy in the off-season. The results were disastrous: The four-year pivot threw a league-high 23 interceptions, a problem that stems from the offensive line. New line coach Larry Zierlein will be responsible for improving a unit that allowed Roethlisberger to be sacked 46 times.
Key player: Ben Roethlisberger

THE DARKHORSES

Running Back Frank Gore paces the San Francisco running game. (Brian Bahr/Getty Images)

NFC
San Francisco
2006-07 record: 7-9
Best result: Five-time Super Bowl champions
2006-07 result: Missed the playoffs
Under coach Mike Nolan, the 49ers have gradually made the climb back up the NFC ladder. The team's three cornerstone players, QB Alex Smith, RB Frank Gore and TE Vernon Davis, are all expected to improve. Gore, the focal point of the offence, will have to stay healthy for the team to make a playoff push. He broke the franchise's rushing record last season with an NFC-best 1,695 yards, surpassing Garrison Hearst's 1998 mark of 1,570.
Key player: Frank Gore

AFC
Cincinnati Bengals
2006-07 record: 8-8
Best result: Super Bowl finalists (1982 and 1989)
2006-07 result: Missed the playoffs
Few teams possess the offensive weapons the Bengals boast. Quarterback Carson Palmer is two years removed from his knee injury and is approaching Manning and Brady status. Cincinnati has two of the league's best wide receivers in Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh, while running back Rudi Johnson keeps the offence balanced. However, the defensive unit needs to dramatically improve if this team is to contend in the rugged AFC North. Last season, the Bengals ranked 31st overall in pass defence, a statistic that will surely keep them home for a second consecutive season.
Key player: Carson Palmer

OUTSIDE CONTENDERS

All eyes will be on Tony Romo in Dallas. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

NFC
Dallas Cowboys
2006-07 record: 9-7
Best result: Five-time Super Bowl champions
2006-07 result: Lost to Seattle in the NFC Wild Card game
The Cowboys will only goes as far as quarterback Tony Romo takes them. That was painfully obvious last season after the talented but inconsistent Romo began his career with a 5-1 start, only to falter down the stretch and end with the infamous bobbled snap against Seattle. But the Dallas brass thought enough of Romo to pass on the heralded Brady Quinn in the draft. The hope for the Cowboys is that an improved offensive line and more aggressive defence will raise Romo's level, allowing the team to make a playoff run.
Key player: Tony Romo

AFC
Baltimore Ravens
2006-07 record: 13-3
Best result: 2001 Super Bowl champions
2006-07 result: Lost to Indianapolis in the AFC divisional playoffs
The Ravens' defence will overcome the free-agent loss of Thomas and remain one of the top units in the NFL. The problem, as Indianapolis exploited in the post-season, is the ineptitude on offence. The Ravens, who scored only six points against the Colts, acquired Willis McGahee from Buffalo to bolster a dormant running attack. While he isn't an explosive runner, McGahee is a versatile player who can keep the chains moving and gives QB Steve McNair another option when his downfield receivers are covered.
Key player: Willis McGahee