It has come to this, sports and history fans. The only thing between New England and The Perfect Season is an English author who died 61 years ago.

Wells wrote The Time Machine, and we need him to come back and tell us how to get back to 1997. That's when Green Bay beat the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXI.

It appears we're going to have a rematch, but a lot has changed in 11 years. We'll get to that in a minute, just as soon as we figure out how the entire playoff roof caved in yesterday.

It wasn't completely shocking that New York beat Dallas. After all, Eli Manning is the returning Super Bowl MVP and . . . no wait, that's Peyton. His team lost while Eli's won, right?

Maybe there really was something distracting about Tony Romo jetting down to Mexico with Jessica Simpson last weekend. But who knew the entire team tagged along and came back with a prolonged margarita hangover?

As for San Diego, who among us didn't foresee Billy Volek leading the Chargers to a win at Indy? Go ahead and say it, "Norv Turner, Coaching Genius."

Sunday was like a science-fiction novel come to life. And nobody enjoyed it more than New Englanders. I watched part of the AFC game at the Boston airport, and you'd have thought we were just north of Tijuana.

America may have been eager for a Colts-Pats matchup, but New England fans will gladly welcome San Diego next weekend. The Patriots beat the Chargers 38-14 four months ago when there wasn't 12 feet of snow on the ground.

"A lot has happened since then," Bill Belichick said. "We'll definitely start all over on the preparations. It's like it's a new team."

Yeah, this one might not have LaDainian Tomlinson, Philip Rivers and Antonio Gates. At least you could have envisioned Indy threatening the Pats, especially after the way Jacksonville moved the ball Saturday night. All I can see now is Belichick trying to keep a straight face when he's asked the best way to defend Volek.

I'm fine with New England going 19-0, I just wanted the Patriots to take the league's best shots along the way. After Indianapolis it was supposed to be Dallas. The Cowboys loss hurt, but it's almost worth it because it means no more T.O. until next season.

Now it'll be the Packers or Giants, both of whom entered the season as about 2,000-to-1 longshots to make the Super Bowl. It wasn't that long ago Tom Coughlin had less job security than Isiah Thomas. His resurrection is heartwarming, but the NFL might have to cancel Media Day if both Shecky Coughlin and Chuckles Belichick make it to Glendale, Ariz.

A much better story would be those plucky unknowns from America's frozen tundra taking on the Belichick Death Star. It would be a Favre-fest, right up until Tom Brady throws six touchdowns in the first half.

After much thought, it's obvious the only hope is if the teams would start channeling 1997. Remember that Dog-and-Parcells Show?

Coach Tuna wasn't getting along with owner Bob Kraft and spent Super Bowl week sending love notes to the Jets about their coaching opening. The Patriots' defensive coordinator, some guy named Belichick, didn't like the shenanigans.

"How many chances do you get to play for the Super Bowl?" he later said. "Tell them to get back to you in a couple of days."

Between that distraction and the young Favre, the Patriots were doomed. It was 35-21, but records indicate they haven't lost a Super Bowl since.

Now their path to the perfect title has been cleared, and it's unlikely Belichick will be placing secret calls to the Dolphins while he's in Arizona.

Sure, stranger things have happened. I can't really think of any right now, though Billy Volek beating Peyton Manning might qualify.