If you believe odds, they'll be there at end

The Patriots are favored, at 2-1, to win the Super Bowl in Houston Feb. 1. That represents a sharply improved image for a team that opened the season at 18-1 in Las Vegas.

The Patriots have won 12 in a row since opening 2-2. There are those who believe winning 15 straight games in the NFL is almost impossible.

Don't bet on it.

The Eagles are the second choice, at 5-2, followed by the Rams, 3-1, and the Chiefs, 7-2. The Eagles and Rams attracted solid support from the outset, at 9-2 and 6-1, respectively, while the Chiefs were let go at 25-1.

These four squads, all idle this weekend as the playoffs begin, dominate the wagering on the national championship game. Indianapolis and Green Bay are next in line, at 8-1, followed by Tennessee, 14-1; Denver, 15-1; Baltimore, 18-1; Dallas and Carolina, 20-1; and Seattle, 50-1. The Panthers were the lowest price among the 12 teams at the start of the season, available at 75-1. The Seahawks, 50-1 now, weren't much higher then, at 60-1.

The plays

Tennessee (1-) at Baltimore -- Steve McNair against Anthony Wright at the all-important quarterback position is a mismatch. The Ravens count on running back Jamal Lewis for their offense, but Tennessee is strong against the run. The Titans counter with Eddie George, except that linebacker Ray Lewis intimidated George when they met in the playoffs a few years ago. So much depends on McNair's health. This is a tough call. Anybody who would risk more than a mythical $100 on Wright and the Ravens is living on the edge. But Baltimore almost always plays Tennessee tough. Take the Ravens for $100.

Dallas at Carolina (-3) -- The Cowboys defeated the Panthers, 24-20, as 3-point favorites in Dallas Nov. 23. I'm no fan of Jake Delhomme or, for that matter, Quincy Carter. These two young quarterbacks have a long way to go and there's no guarantee either will get there. Dallas doesn't really have much of a running game while Carolina does with Stephen Davis. All the Cowboys have, really, is a good, quick, aggressive defense -- better even than the Panthers' -- and one of the league's great postseason coaches in Bill Parcells. I just don't know if Dallas has enough to capitalize on the opportunity. And Davis could come up bigger than expected. Take Carolina for $100.

Seattle at Green Bay (-7) -- It's a miracle the Packers are in the playoffs. But Green Bay is a more balanced team than Minnesota and a dangerous one this postseason. The Seahawks usually perform poorly on the road, where they can't stop the run. Except that they played well in the second half despite losing in St. Louis, 27-22, three weeks ago and came back with an impressive effort last Saturday at San Francisco in beating the 49ers, 24-17. Matt Hasselbeck has improved as the Seattle quarterback. His receivers, unfortunately, have a habit of dropping balls. Take Green Bay for $100.

Denver at Indianapolis (-3) -- The Broncos defeated the Colts, 31-17, as 6-point underdogs two weeks ago in the RCA Dome. It wasn't that close. The Colts returned a Jake Plummer interception for an early 7-0 lead and Denver was down deep in Indianapolis territory when the game ended. Clinton Portis didn't play. Now Portis reportedly is ready to return. Mike Shanahan's Broncos appear ready to rumble, having rested key personnel in the loss at Green Bay. Much is being written about Peyton Manning's inability to win the big one in college and the pros, but I'm not convinced. What is more obvious is Tony Dungy's inability to have his teams ready for the playoffs the last three years. Portis should be able to run on the Colts. Denver's offensive line is athletic and experienced. If Indianapolis stacks the line of scrimmage, the Broncos have the receivers needed to beat single coverage. Take Denver for $150.

Last week: New England, giving 8, defeated Buffalo, 31-0, plus $100; San Francisco, giving 1, lost to Seattle, 24-17, minus $55; Philadelphia, giving 6 1/2, defeated Washington, 31-7, plus $100; Cincinnati, giving 7 1/2, lost to Cleveland, 22-14, minus $11; Miami, giving 4, defeated the New York Jets, 23-21, minus $55; Green Bay, giving 6 1/2, defeated Denver, 31-3, plus $50; Houston, getting 7, lost to Indianapolis, 20-17, plus $50; Tampa Bay, getting 7, lost to Tennessee, 33-13, minus $55; Arizona, getting 7 1/2, defeated Minnesota, 18-17, plus $10.

Net for week: plus $134.

Net for season: minus $737.