A HOLMGREN HOMECOMING AGAINST 49ERS.

Byline: Daily News Wire Services

Mike Holmgren is hoping he doesn't leave his Super Bowl dream in San Francisco, where he was born and raised and where he coached on the high school and college levels and in the NFL.

Today, Holmgren goes home as head coach of the Green Bay Packers for a second-round NFC playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers, with whom he was an assistant coach from 1986-91. During the six-year span, the 49ers won two Super Bowls.

Now, Holmgren wants the bigger thrill of winning the Super Bowl as a head coach. On the way to that goal, he'll have to get past this game - which marks the first meeting of the Packers and 49ers in the playoffs.

"I'm trying to keep things in check, you know, the emotions," Holmgren said. "The game is the most important thing on my mind. Smith sidelined: Buffalo Bills defensive end Bruce Smith is bedridden with the flu and will probably miss today's AFC playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Three Rivers Stadium.

Smith suffered from severe headaches and had a 103 temperature when he arrived for the team's flight to Pittsburgh.