Column: What are the odds? Not good, Carolina

So without further ado, let’s handicap those 14 teams, in order of which is most likely to win the big one.

Atlanta Falcons (3-1)

The Falcons have to be the odds-on favorite right now. Quarterback Matt Ryan has overcome his sophomore slump, and the Falcons, in a weak National Football Conference, seem to have the inside track to the Super Bowl.

San Diego Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles (6-1)

Fans of these long-tortured franchises might not agree with me — given that these two teams always seem to lose in new and creative ways — but the Chargers and the Eagles will probably make the playoffs this year. This alone gives them a better shot to win a Super Bowl than the teams below them. Unfortunately, questionable coaching in the form of Norv Turner and Andy Reid hampers both squads.

Houston Texans (10-1)

The perennially underachieving Texans are a tough team to judge, but they get the nod next because of Matt Schaub. While he has struggled in some situations, he is by far the best quarterback on the remaining teams. Like San Diego and Philadelphia, Houston needs a coaching change to improve its standing.

Jacksonville Jaguars, Seattle Seahawks (14-1)

Both of these teams are quite mediocre. Las Vegas will attempt to suck you into the Jaguars by pointing out David Garrard’s above-average season, but until we’ve seen him perform at such a level for another year or two, steer clear. The Seahawks may perhaps be a playoff team in a very weak NFC West this year, but that does not mean they will go far. Until their defense stiffens up, they will be hard pressed to win any games in January.

Tennessee Titans (19-1)

The Titans would be higher, but the rift between quarterback Vince Young and head coach Jeff Fisher appears irreconcilable — and that’s never good. Owner Bud Adams loves Young and does not want to let him go, but Young’s welcome in Nashville is, to say the least, worn out. But the Chris Johnson factor cannot be denied, and with a few good drafts they could be a serious Super Bowl threat in the next few years.

Minnesota Vikings (25-1)

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The first member of the four Super Bowl loss club, it may surprise you to find out that the Purple People Eaters never won a title. Had we made these odds before this season, Minnesota would have been near the top, although an astute observer (read: not me) might have thought twice about trusting Brett Favre for a second year in a row. But former head coach Brad Childress did not have much choice. Is Tarvaris Jackson a Super Bowl quarterback? No. And until the Vikings get a legitimate quarterback, they are a long shot.

Arizona Cardinals (27-1)

Larry Fitzgerald must be longing for Kurt Warner to return. This year, after Warner’s retirement, Arizona has been in free fall. The Cardinals have fallen about as far as possible in the two years since they went to the Super Bowl.

Cleveland Browns (50-1)

Now we’re getting to the real long shots. Running back Peyton Hillis and quarterback Colt McCoy have been tiny bright spots in Cleveland’s season as the Browns have shown some signs of life in the past few weeks. More will need to be seen in order to move them up in the rankings.

Detroit Lions (65-1)

The lions are actually moving up in these odds. They have played all games tight, and defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh has lived up to the hype. If only Matthew Stafford could stay healthy. Still, if you’re picking a long shot, Detroit is the clear value choice.

Buffalo Bills (75-1)

Buffalo, like Detroit, has improved in the past few weeks, but is still a deeply flawed team. Also a member of the four Super Bowl loss club — the only member to lose four consecutive Super Bowls — the Bills seem to have found something with former Harvard quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. But they still have a long way to go.

Cincinnati Bengals (100-1)

Remember the old “Bungles” nickname Chris Berman used for the Bengals? It’s time to bring that back. Up 28-7 and 31-14 against Buffalo in Week 11, Cincinnati was outscored 35-0 in the second half en route to a 49-31 loss. Are you kidding me? That just does not happen in the NFL. Terrell Owens, as much as I hate him, has had a good year, but he summed up the Bungles well when he said that the team was terrible.

Carolina Panthers (200-1)

Every other team has some bright spot — except maybe Cincinnati. But everything the Bungles do wrong, the Panthers seem to do worse. Stay away from this one.