NFL team previews

Team-by team capsules for the 2004 NFL season, listed in order of last season's finish, with 2003 record in parentheses:

AFC

NEW ENGLAND

OPTIMISTIC: Can set an NFL record of 19 consecutive victories, including playoffs, by winning its first four games, the last one against Miami. Dolphins set the mark by going 17-0 in 1972, then winning their first game in 1973. Return most starters and should be improved with RB Corey Dillon and second-year DE Ty Warren. Coach Bill Belichick won't permit swelled heads after winning two of last three Super Bowls. New P Josh Miller is improvement over Ken Walter.

PESSIMISTIC: Must avoid post-Super Bowl letdown of 2002, when Pats missed playoffs. Passing game was shaky in first two exhibition games. Loss of free agent G-C Damien Woody to Detroit leaves inexperienced OL. Dillon must regain his form and refrain from griping or being disruptive, as he was in Cincinnati.

EXPECT: AFC East champions with a solid shot at reaching their third Super Bowl in four seasons.

KANSAS CITY

OPTIMISTIC: Gunther Cunningham is back as defensive coordinator and so is NFL's highest-scoring offense. Only one member of blue-chip OL is gone. RB Priest Holmes and QB Trent Green look sharp as ever and kick return demon Dante Hall is back to scare opponents.

PESSIMISTIC: Cunningham is working with almost same defensive cast that finished 29th in league a year ago. Receiving corps remains mediocre and lost Marc Boerigter for season, and outstanding OL is growing old.

EXPECT: Will contend, but schedule is tough and defense still leaky.

INDIANAPOLIS

OPTIMISTIC: High-scoring offense remains intact and could be even better. Peyton Manning is coming off best season and has deepest, most established receiving corps. RB Edgerrin James says he's better now than a year ago, and OL has more experience and depth.

PESSIMISTIC: Defense is young and, in some spots, untested. Neither Donald Strickland nor Joseph Jefferson have played well enough to earn starting job at CB. Second-round draft pick S Bob Sanders was expected to compete for playing time, but was a holdout until Aug. 30.

EXPECT: A legitimate Super Bowl contender if defense continues to improve.

TENNESSEE