AFC and NFC Championship Games - Sunday, Jan. 21, 2017
AFC Championship Game
Jacksonville Jaguars (12-6) at New England Patriots (14-3)
Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass., 3:05 p.m. EasternM on CBS Network
Jacksonville Jaguars
vs.
New England Patriots
New England Patriots 24, Jacksonville Jaguars 20 - For quite a while, it not only seemed like Jax was capable of pulling off a major upset up in Foxboro, but that they were actually going to do it. It seemed like the Jaguars were dominating through the first three quarters, as they were beating the Patriots to the point at every point when things really mattered. The Jaguars opened the fourth quarter with a 20-10 lead, and at that point, even though you knew New England had overcome larger odds and deficits, and with less time, it was entirely believable that the flat line would just continue like this until time expired on their chances. But of course, the Patriots did not become a world class team by simply allowing such circumstances to get the better of them, to defeat them. You kind of had to know that New England would rally, would answer. They have the heart of champions, and they would respond in some way, make the game close, and give themselves a chance. And sure enough, that's exactly what they did. The Jaguars were shut out in the fourth quarter, their dangerous offense suddenly stalling and growing incapable of getting anything done. And the Patriots offense suddenly roared to life, with the Jaguars previously dominant defense suddenly looking worn out and unable to stop New England anymore when it counted the most. The end result might not have been what most football fans wanted or were desperately hoping for, of course, but it underscored exactly why the Patriots have been able to just keep winning and winning and going farther, breaking records like they do with incredible accomplishments, like what they did today. Brady stepped up. New England's defense stepped up. The team did just enough to get in front, and then held off any potential rally by the Jaguars to secure yet another Super Bowl appearance. It will be the Patriots 10th Super Bowl appearance as a franchise, but more specifically, it will be their eighth appearance in the big game during the Belichick-Brady era. No other head coach has ever reached the Super Bowl so many times, and no other quarterback ever led his team to eight Super Bowls. During the NFC Championship Game, former Cowboys great Troy Aikman was mentioning the Patriots succees, suggesting it was almost comical. Indeed, it is virtually ridiculous, how successful these guys have been, and more often than not, it has come in the form of games like these, when someone really tests this team and pushes them to the brink, backing them into a corner, only to have the Pats come roaring back when it counts the most, and doing just enough to win. They did it again today, and now have yet another chance at winning another Super Bowl title. My pick: Accurate
NFC Championship Game
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Minnesota Vikings (14-3) AT Philadelphia Eagles (14-3)
Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, 6:40 p.m. Eastern on Fox Network
Minnesota Vikings
vs.
Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles 38, Minnesota Vikings 7 - This game did not go anywhere near the way I thought it would. It looked like it was at first, when Minnesota flew down the field on their first offensive possession, and looked brilliant in so doing. It was capped by a beautiful touchdown when Keenum hit Kyle Rudolph for a 25-yard touchdown. The Vikings celebrated with an imitation of the winter sport, curling, and they enjoyed a 7-0 lead, looking like they were picking up right where they left off last weekend. They forced Philly to punt on the Eagles drive, and then, there was a penalty against the Eagles on the kickoff return, putting the Vikings in decent field position. Things seemed to be getting off to a very good start at that point, and it felt like the Vikings might be able to expand on their lead and start applying real pressure to the Eagles, perhaps even dictating the tempo of the early part of the game. But then, things spiraled downhill quickly. Keenum threw a pick six that allowed the Eagles to tie it later in the first quarter, and that seemed to burst Minnesota's bubble. From that point onward, it was all Philly. The Eagles took over, particularly starting in the second quarter. By the time they took a 14-7 lead, I was starting to get drowsy from the food, and drifted off. I woke up just before the half, with the Eagles just expanding their lead to 24-7. Any realistic hopes that the Vikings had at a comeback basically evaporated when the Eagles scored a touchdown in the opening drive of the second half, when they scored yet another touchdown for a 31-7 lead. In the end, they just dismantled the Vikings, who were plagued with numerous turnovers, and were victims of the absolutely brilliant level of play by Philly quarterback Nick Foles, who might have enjoyed a career best in the most important game of his career. Foles completed 26 of 33 passes for 352 yards and three touchdowns.completed 28 of 48 passes for 271 yards, including that early touchdown. But there were two interceptions, including that pick six that seemed to alter the momentum in this game completely. Just an impressive and dominant win by the Eagles behind quarterback Foles, and an incredible defense, and another flat performance by the Vikings, who always seem to end up choking at some point or other in the playoffs, no matter how promising they look earlier in the season. My pick: Wildly Inaccurate!
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