Fans love 'em some 'Boys, Pats

USA TODAY, July, 2008 by Thomas Emerick

NFL countdown

Readers pick their AFC, NFC favorites

The San Diego Chargers bolt into the 2008 season with 27 wins the last two years and their nucleus intact. So expectations are Super Bowl or bust for the Bolts, USA TODAY's Tom Pedulla reported.

That also makes the Chargers a lightning rod for skepticism. While San Diego is the overwhelming favorite to win the AFC West in a survey at USATODAY.com, with 73% of the votes, the New England Patriots are readers' overall favorites in the AFC.

Even some Chargers fans are wary. Commented Phillip: "As a resident of San Diego, I can attest that expectations are high for our team. ... However ... (Antonio) Gates won't be back to 100% for a while longer. (Michael) Turner was terrific as (a) backup,...