NFL Playoff preview by Allen Adams edge staff writer aadams@themaineedge.com NFC 1. New Orleans Saints (13-3) What a difference a month makes. The Saints, who looked for all the world like they were poised to cruise, have managed to lose their last three in a row – two to vastly inferior competition. The Saints may just have lost their momentum at the wrong time. Despite the late season hiccup, New Orleans still sports the league's most high-octane offensive attack, led by quarterback and MVP candidate Drew Brees. Couple the powerful offense with a vastly-improved and tenacious defense and you have a team that looks to be championship caliber. With a first round bye and home field advantage throughout, the Saints have a chance. Prediction: First round bye; win in second round over Eagles; win in finals over Vikings; loss in Super Bowl to Chargers 2. Minnesota Vikings (12-4) Despite what the national media would have you believe, Brett Favre is not the only player on the Vikings roster. Though Favre's comeback (as well as his lately-contentious relationship with his coach) has been the main story, the Vikings offer some serious explosiveness on offense. Adrian Peterson remains one of the best running backs in the business and rookie Percy Harvin is a constant home run threat. However, Minnesota has also stumbled to the finish line a bit, although their emphatic victory against the Giants in the final week says a lot. Can a 40-year-old quarterback bring a team to the promised land one more time? Prediction: First round bye; win in second round over Packers; loss in finals to Saints 3. Dallas Cowboys (11-5) It seems like everyone (myself included) figured the Cowboys were ready to have the proverbial fork stuck in them, given their traditional December swoon. But the Cowboys caught fire at the end of the year, winning their last three convincingly – the last two by shutout. Quarterback Tony Romo is performing well, as are Pro Bowl tight end Jason Witten and previously unheralded receiver Miles Austin. Running backs Marion Barber and Felix Jones are providing a strong ground attack. And the defense is looking alive, with playmakers like DeMarcus Ware and a line anchored by tackle Igor Olshansky. They've got a shot. Prediction: loss in first round to Eagles 4. Arizona Cardinals (10-6) Good for the Cardinals. They bucked the trend of recent years wherein a Super Bowl loser fails to make the playoffs the next season. Arizona is back, having had a much easier time of it this season. They've flown under the radar a bit this year, but as last year proved, they're capable of a run. Any team with Kurt Warner under center has a chance, though he could easily get erratic. The receiving team of Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin is as good as any in the NFL, and Beanie Wells and Tim Hightower give the Cardinals a solid running game. However, their inconsistent defense will likely prove their undoing. Prediction: loss in first round to Packers 5. Green Bay Packers (11-5) Lost in the chaos that was Brett Favre's exit from Green Bay was the fact that the Packers felt comfortable handing the reins over to their young QB Aaron Rodgers. Thus far, Rodgers has rewarded their faith, including leading the team to their first post-Favre postseason. The team has also relied on veterans like wideouts Donald Driver and Greg Jennings and running back Ryan Grant to bring a balanced attack. Cornerback Charles Woodson has nine interceptions this season, while guys like Nick Barnett and A.J. Hawk patrol the middle. This could be a very scary team that no one wants to face now that the playoffs are here. Prediction: win in first round over Cardinals; loss in second round to Vikings 6. Philadelphia Eagles (11-5) It's funny how the NFL postseason seeding works. If the Eagles had managed to beat Dallas in the last game of the regular season, they would have beaten out Minnesota for the second seed and a first round bye. Now, Donovan McNabb has to hit the road. Still, with young speedsters like DeSean Jackson, LeSean McCoy and Jeremy Maclin out there, any Eagles game could turn into a track meet. The Philadelphia defense has a nose for the ball; Asante Samuel is tied for the league lead with nine interceptions, while teammate Sheldon Brown has five. Depending on whether the Eagles step it up, the NFC could be very interesting. Prediction: win in first round over Cowboys; loss in second round to Saints AFC 1. Indianapolis Colts (14-2) Although the last two weeks have seen some questionable calls out of the Colts camp, the truth of the matter is that Indianapolis has pretty much been the class of the AFC this season. Peyton Manning is as good as he's ever been, despite the absence of a strong running game. Dallas Clark and Reggie Wayne are among the best at their positions. Also, the Colts defense has managed to battle through some tough losses to post a fine campaign, with guys like defensive end Dwight Freeney leading the way. They might have lost two in a row, but they might not lose again until next season. Prediction: First round bye; win in second round over Bengals; loss in finals to Chargers 2. San Diego Chargers (13-3) Once the Colts lost a couple, the title of "Hottest Team in Football" indisputably belongs to the San Diego Chargers. These guys, led by QB Philip Rivers, have won their last 11 games in a row; they finally look ready to shed their underachieving label. While former MVP Ladanian Tomlinson is starting to slow down, the speedy Darren Sproles helps pick up the slack in the running game. The defense is solid, with lots of guys contributing – including University of Maine alum Stephen Cooper, who leads the team in tackles. The Chargers are firing on all cylinders and look to be ready for a hard charge at a championship. Prediction: First round bye; win in second round over Patriots; win in finals over Colts; win in Super Bowl over Saints 3. New England (10-6) The Patriots have been slowly but surely regaining their footing after an ugly November stretch threatened to derail their season. Tom Brady, while not back to the record-setting form of 2007, finally looks comfortable. However, the loss of wide receiver Wes Welker is a devastating one, one that not even Pro Bowler Randy Moss and talented rookie Julian Edelman can easily make up for. The defense too has had its struggles, despite some talented playmakers. It all comes down to momentum; if the Patriots get hot, they can go a long way. If not, however, it'll be a painfully short postseason. Prediction: win in first round over Ravens; loss in second round to Chargers 4. Cincinnati Bengals (10-6) It has been a bit of a comeback season for the Bengals, who have been known more for the police blotter antics of their players rather than their exploits on the field. However, outspoken wide receiver Chad Ochocinco, quarterback Carson Palmer and linebacker Dhani Jones have brought this team together in a very real way. However, the Bengals also come into the playoffs having lost four of their last five games. They've got some weapons, but unfortunately, they've simply gone cold at the wrong time. Cincinnati has a nice nucleus right now, but this doesn't look like their year. Prediction: win in first round over Jets; loss in second round to Colts 5. New York Jets (9-7) The Jets have faced quite a roller coaster ride, with their playoff fate coming down to a must-win game in the season's last week. New York proved up to the task, thoroughly dominating the Bengals. They're riding high emotionally, but that can only carry you so far. The Jets are relying on rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez, and Sanchez has yet to show himself capable of leading a team to that sort of victory. That said, the Jets have a strong defense and an excellent running game. A team like that is always dangerous. However, the inexperience of Sanchez will likely prove their downfall. Prediction: loss in first round to Bengals 6. Baltimore Ravens (9-7) Baltimore has been kind of under the radar all season. They've been good, but quietly. Their signature defense hasn't been quite as dominant, while their offense has improved considerably. Ray Lewis and Ed Reed can still play defense, but they've each lost a step. Running back Ray Rice has been a revelation, while second-year quarterback Joe Flacco continues to improve. The Ravens are one of those savvy veteran teams that no one wants to play in the postseason. While Baltimore probably doesn't have the firepower to win a Super Bowl, they might just surprise a team or two before they go. Prediction: loss in first round to Patriots