When the Indianapolis Colts won the Super Bowl last February, they achieved with it the satisfaction of succeeding on pro football's biggest stage, adoration from their loyal fans in addition to getting to raise that shiny Lombardi Trophy in Miami.

What the Colts also earned was having the "team to beat" tag placed on them for the 2007 season. For most Super Bowl champions it comes with the territory.

As for the serious Super Bowl contenders for this season, the Colts, obviously, are in the conversation. With Peyton Manning again running the show at quarterback, offense shouldn't be a problem for the Colts. But that doesn't mean they will avoid all the pitfalls.

If the Colts are to win a second straight Super Bowl, it will take more than Manning's right arm. They will have to overcome the loss of a lot of important players, potential weaknesses on defense and a schedule that includes some tough games in December.

Last season, the Colts won despite being last in the NFL in two key defensive categories: Yards allowed per carry (5.3) and yards allowed per game (173). No way the Colts repeat if they fail to improve in these departments.

The Colts still have one of the more talented rosters in the league, but their key departures list includes eight players who played prominent roles in the Super Bowl victory over the Bears. Gone are linebacker Cato June, running back Dominic Rhodes along with cornerbacks Jason David and Nick Harper.

Another player Manning will definitely miss is left tackle Tarik Glenn, who retired this summer. On the surface, the loss of an offensive lineman may not seem like a big deal. But the left tackle, who protects the quarterback's blind side, is an underrated position on a football team. Glenn was one of the best.

As for the schedule, the Colts benefit by playing in one of the NFL's weaker divisions, the AFC South. But, come December, the Colts have potential tough home games with San Diego and Baltimore and a road game at Jacksonville.

Probably the biggest factor working against the Colts repeating is the highly competitive AFC, where there are other serious contenders. One is the Chargers, 35-13 since 2004, who are loaded again. Another is the New England Patriots, who added big-play receiver Randy Moss.

Some teams may embrace the added pressure of being the Super Bowl favorite, while others perform better flying under the radar. The Colts, far better in the latter scenario, will make the playoffs but will come up short in their bid for two straight championships.

— Keith Kropp is a copy editor for The Star. E-mail address: kkropp@VenturaCountyStar.com.