The road to the Super Bowl By Allen Adams edge staff writer aadams@themaineedge.com The playoffs are a wonderful time, a time when the best of the best, after having fought their way through 17 grueling weeks ... get to start all over again. It's win or go home time once again. We've looked at each of the individual playoff teams; now let's have a look at how one man thinks the road to the Super Bowl is going to look – primarily the first round. Divisional Round: In an interesting bit of coincidence, three of this year's four first-round playoff games are rematches of Week 17 games. That is, most of these teams just faced each other in the last week of the regular season. What that means is anyone's guess; it doesn't get much more mercurial than the NFL. NFC No. 3 Dallas vs. No. 6 Philadelphia The Cowboys are coming off an utter domination of the Eagles and swept the season series between the two teams. However, there are few things in football more difficult than beating the same team three times in a season. There is an undeniable explosiveness to the Eagles offense that simply won't be shut down again. Fun Fact: Eagles coach Andy Reid has never lost a first-round playoff game. Ever. Meanwhile, Cowboys coach Wade Phillips has never won any playoff game. Ever. Eagles over Cowboys 28-24 No. 4 Arizona vs. No. 5 Green Bay Yet another rematch of a Week 17 battle, one won by the Packers. However, Arizona had already secured its spot and probably eased up. The Cardinals have many of the same weapons from last year's Super Bowl squad and an improved defense, but the Packers are hungry and looking to erase the bad Brett Favre mojo of the past few years. The Pack is back – at least for one round. Fun Fact: Arizona is one of only two Super Bowl losers this decade to make the playoffs the season after that loss; the other was Seattle in 2006. Packers over Cardinals 31-17 AFC No. 3 New England vs. No. 6 Baltimore The only non-rematch of the first round, this game features two of the most consistently strong NFL teams of the decade. Baltimore's vaunted defense is aging but effective, and the offense has some solid performers. The Patriots defense has been soft, and the loss of all-world slot receiver Wes Welker is going to hurt. Still, I think New England will get up for this one. Fun Fact: New England failed to make the playoffs last season despite an 11-5 record. This year, they're the third seed with only 10 wins. Patriots over Ravens 24-21 No. 4 Cincinnati vs. No. 5 New York The Jets had to win their final game against the Bengals to make the playoffs. They did so impressively. That said, New York can't hope for another abysmal performance from Cincinnati. The Bengals will be better this time through, and Jets rookie QB Mark Sanchez has never had to deal with real playoff pressure. Looks like one and done for the Jets. Fun Fact: The Jets were the first AFL team to win the Super Bowl before the leagues merged. The team they beat? The Colts, who would lie in wait should New York advance. Bengals over Jets 17-10 Going too in-depth for subsequent rounds is likely an exercise in futility, what with the unpredictable nature of the game from week to week. However, here's how I see things playing out in the month to come. NFC No. 1 New Orleans over No. 5 Green Bay - 31-24 No. 2 Minnesota over No. 6 Philadelphia - 35-31 No. 1 New Orleans over No. 2 Minnesota - 42-38 AFC No. 1 Indianapolis over No. 4 Cincinnati - 27-14 No. 2 San Diego over No. 3 New England - 38-24 No. 2 San Diego over No. 1 Indianapolis - 30-20 Super Bowl San Diego Chargers 41, New Orleans Saints 38 Of course, by this time next week, we'll all be able to enjoy just how wrong I am.