NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

2006 record: 10-6

Outlook: The feel-good story of last season adds another chapter this year, with key additions adding punch on both sides of the ball.

Best-case scenario: QB Drew Brees shows no ill effects from his Pro Bowl elbow injury and keeps the league's No. 1 offense rolling.

Worst-case scenario: The young players who stepped up last year take a step back this year, and the Saints drift back toward .500.

Parting shot: The Saints never have played in a Super Bowl. That could change this season.

2007 schedule

Sept. 6 at Indianapolis, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 16 at Tampa Bay, 11 a.m.

Sept. 24 Tennessee, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 30 BYE

Oct. 7 Carolina, 11 a.m.

Oct. 14 at Seattle, 6:15 p.m.

Oct. 21 Atlanta, 11 a.m.

Oct. 28 at San Francisco, 2:15 p.m.

Nov. 4 Jacksonville, 11 a.m.

Nov. 11 St. Louis, 11 a.m.

Nov. 18 at Houston, 11 a.m.

Nov. 25 at Carolina, 11 a.m.

Dec. 2 Tampa Bay, 11 a.m.

Dec. 10 at Atlanta, 6:30 p.m.

Dec. 16 Arizona, 11 a.m.

Dec. 23 Philadelphia, 11 a.m.

Dec. 30 at Chicago, 11 a.m.

CAROLINA PANTHERS

2006 record: 8-8

Outlook: The brass apparently decided that '06, when the Panthers were expected to be Super Bowl contenders, was an aberration, as they kept 20 of 22 starters.

Best-case scenario: That was the correct decision and Carolina displays its promise a year later than predicted.

Worst-case scenario: An offense that slumped to No. 24 last season really has flattened out and can't support a solid defense.

Parting shot: The Panthers have plenty of individual talent, but whether that results in an effective product overall remains undetermined.

2007 schedule

Sept. 9 at St. Louis, 11 a.m.

Sept. 16 Houston, 11 a.m.

Sept. 23 at Atlanta, 2:15 p.m.

Sept. 30 Tampa Bay, 2:05 p.m.

Oct. 7 at New Orleans, 11 a.m.

Oct. 14 at Arizona, 2:05 p.m.

Oct. 21 BYE

Oct. 28 Indianapolis, 11 a.m.

Nov. 4 at Tennessee, 11 a.m.