Handicapping the Super Bowl race - Kickoff

IF YOU LOVE SUSPENSE, then you must be having a blast right about now. Even though the regular season is nearing its end, there is much to be settled--the playoff picture has yet to come into focus.

Still, there are a handful of teams that have separated themselves from the pack and are looking toward New Orleans, the site of Super Bowl 36. Here's a rundown:

NFC

As we detail in our feature beginning on page 34, the St. Louis Rams offense is a finely tuned machine. But that isn't why the Rams are the team to beat heading into the playoffs. Following a disappointing 2000 season, the Rams have returned to Super Bowl form this year because their defense has stepped it up and become one of the league's better units. That could make all the difference come postseason time.

The Chicago Bears also know a thing or two about hard-nosed defense. Led by linebacker Brian Urlacher, safety Mike Brown, and defensive tackles Ted Washington and Keith Traylor, the Bears have risen from the depths to the top of the NFL in just one season's time. [We chronicle Chicago's rags-to-riches journey in a feature on page 62.] This team is playing with more confidence each week, and by the time the playoffs start, it just may believe that anything is possible.

The sky certainly is the limit for the San Francisco 49ers, who have rejoined the league's elite after a brief downturn. Quarterback Jeff Garcia and wide receiver Terrell Owens have been doing their best impersonations of Joe Montana and Jerry Rice, and the defense is filled with young playmakers. So far, it's been a winning formula, and it may continue to be so throughout January.

The revival of Green Bay hasn't been quite as startling as thai of San Francisco, but there is no denying that the Pack is back. Brett Favre is as nimble as ever, Ahman Green has juiced up the running game, and safety Darren Sharper is the general of a big-play defense.

AFC

They're dancing in the streets of Pittsburgh because the Steelers have been playing the type of smash-mouth football the city loves. The defense doesn't have a lot of big names, but as a whole, it has been rugged. On offense, our cover subject, running back Jerome Bettis, has been bruising, paving the way for a passing attack that has been surprisingly effective. After years of tribulation, quarterback Kordell Stewart finally is coming of age. Can he keep his composure when the stakes rise in January? Don't bet against him.

It also wouldn't be wise to bet against Rich Gannon, the quarterback of the Oakland Raiders. Gannon is having an MVP-caliber season, and his supporting cast--running back Charlie Garner and wide receivers Tim Brown and Jerry Rice--also has been outstanding. The Raiders reached the AFC title game last season, and this year they may take that final step to greatness.

Of course, it wouldn't be fair to count out the defending Super Bowl-champion Baltimore Ravens. Although they haven't earned many style points, they somehow have remained in contention. And if they get on the same type of roll that they did last year, the Super Bowl could be within their reach.

The same also can be said about the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins. With so many contenders shooting for one prize, this season has the makings of a classic cliffhanger.

FOOTBALL DIGEST'S Postseason Picks

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Oakland Raiders over Pittsburgh Steelers

NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
St. Louis Rams over San Francisco 49ers

SUPER BOWL 36
St. Louis over Oakland

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