The NFL is set to kick off the 2004 season with a rematch of last season's AFC Championship Game -- the Indianapolis Colts at the New England Patriots -- on Thursday night. The defending Super Bowl champion Patriots, who are shooting for their third NFL title in four years, are the team to beat. The question is who can beat the Pats and grab the Vince Lombardi Trophy in the Super Bowl XXXIX on Feb. 6, 2005, in Jacksonville, Fla.?.
New England's chances of winning the AFC East again certainly improved when it acquired Corey Dillon to be the heavy-duty running back the Patriots haven't had since Curtis Martin left after the 1997 season.
After winning two Super Bowls in three seasons, New England was set to enter the season as the AFC East favorite in any case, probably a good bet to become only the second team to win three Super Bowls in four years.