AFC Championship Game: Patriots vs Jaguars
AFC Championship Game
This upcoming Sunday we will witness an amazing AFC Championship Game between the New England Patriots and the Jacksonville Jaguars. Both teams had amazing seasons and not they will meet in Foxborough on Sunday.
New England Patriots
For the New England Patriots, it's no surprise that they are in the same position again. With a 5 time Champion in Bill Belichick and Tom Brady, they will always be a threat to the AFC and the NFL. After winning the Super Bowl last year in Houston many would believe that the end would be near for the Patriots. With Tom Brady's age becoming a factor and Coach Belichick's uncertainty with the Patriots who know when the Patriots will be back on top? But when Tom Brady is having an MVP season and has led his team to another AFC Championship Game they have put these rumors to rest again.
The Patriots have shown some vulnerabilities throughout the year but in Patriot fashion, they were able to fix their issues and maintained the number 1 seed. With a bye week during the Wild Card round, they had to face the Tennesee Titans in the Divisional Round. Titans All-Pro Safety Kevin Byard had told reporters "We want to make Tom Brady look like Blake Bortles." But Tom Brady threw for 337 yard and 3 touchdowns which led to the Patriots winning 35 to 14. With defeating the Titans the Patriots are getting ready for the AFC Championship Game.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars have become the new surprise team in the NFL. If you told many NFL fans, players, and coaches that the Jaguars would be in the AFC Championship Game they would laugh at you. But the Jaguars are no joke at all. They have been led throughout the year with their stellar defense which includes Calais Campbell, Malik Jackson, AJ Bouye, and Jalen Ramsey. They have taken over the AFC South in the Regular Season and has impressed through the Playoffs. During the Wild Card round, they faced the Buffalo Bills and a low scoring game. With making enough plays and an amazing interception by Jalen Ramsey they were headed to the next round.
The Jaguars had to face the high scoring Pittsburgh Steelers in the Divisional round, but the Jaguars felt confident going into the game. But the Steelers were overconfident about this game. Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin was quoted as saying "The AFC Championship game will come down to us and the Patriots and it matters where the game will be played." Steelers Running Back LeVeon Bell began to talk about his contract during the week and possible retirement. Also on gameday Steelers Safety Mike Mitchell was rumored to bang on the Jaguars locker room door saying "You will know my name." But the Jaguars beat the Steelers 45 to 42 with a good performance from the entire team. With beating the Steelers, they moved onto the AFC Championship Game.
AFC Championship Prediction
For my prediction of the AFC Championship Game, I believe that the Jaguars will show great effort. However, it will take a herculean effort from Blake Bortles to beat the Patriots. That will be hard to do in Gillette Stadium against this Goliath. So I believe that the Patriots will beat the Jaguars to go back to the Super Bowl.
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