We are looking for the Conference-Champions, we are looking for participants in the Super Bowl! In Foxborough, the New England Patriots are confronted with one of the best defenses in the league and worry about Brady’s hand. The Jaguars also want to break the second phalanx of the last years in the AFC. In Philadelphia, they want to punish again all critics who call the Eagles underdogs. But beware: The Vikings come from Minnesota Miracle! The games can be watched live on DAZN with the option of the original commentary on Sunday from 9.05 pm onwards.
The way to the playoffs
Patriots: The AFC Championship Game without the Patriots? Unthinkable! For the seventh time in a row, Brady led the Pats into the final of the conference. The 12th. For the 40th time in his career, the 40-year-old is entering the game, which he won seven times for himself and his colours. In any case, there were no major doubts about the march through, even if the start of the season did not entirely correspond to expectations. Bend but don’t Break’ is the name of the concept with which Matt Patricia has turned his defense into a much more respectable unit over the past few weeks.
Marcus Mariota and the Titans couldn’t change that either. Although Tennessee got off to a good start in the final zone with an outstanding Catch from Corey Davis, the Pats did once again what they always do: They are there when it matters. The running game around Derrick Henry was held at 28 yards. Mariota took eight sacks. New England’s defensive unit shows a completely different face than at the beginning of the season. Weaknesses in Bill Belichick’s team are now virtually non-existent. Opponents – whether they are teams or fans – can’t like it.
Jaguars: The journey of the Jaguars is incredibly impressive. It wouldn’t have been the first time a team had invested a lot of money for new players, but the project failed. Too many items are important in this sport. In Jacksonville, however, one cog is reaching into the other. In the regular season, a defensive has been found that is one of the best in the league on all three levels. The running-game around Leonard Fournette seemed to be an offensive, but quarterback Blake Bortles plays the best season of his career and knows how to surprise his critics week after week.
For example, in the Divisional Round, when the Jaguars Offense suddenly became the component that set the pace from the beginning. The offensive line didn’t exactly make the Steelers Front look like a second seed and Fournette benefited from it with three scores. Against the Steelers the otherwise so strong defense of the Jaguars made Pittsburgh believe in a comeback after several outstanding touchdowns. Especially Cornerback A. J. Bouye was identified as a weak point in the Steelers’ first two scores. Bottom line, the Jaguars also benefited from a highly questionable Steelers playcalling and so Dual County now has a chance to win the first Super Bowl entry in franchise history.
The current situation
Patriots: The Pats are currently worried about a hand injury that Brady got in training on Wednesday, which is why he missed the training on Thursday. Who knows what attitude the man with the five rings has to the repetitions can understand that Brady is not a friend of precautions. The injury to the throwing hand is therefore a factor that must be taken seriously. Even though colleague Dion Lewis at NFL Network said,”Whoever knows number 12 knows he’ll do anything to stand on the field on Sunday.”
Historically, Brady likes to play against the Jags. In seven clashes there were seven victories. In the last one, at 51:17 in September 2015, the patriots did not have to puncture once. However, the fact that you now come across another Jaguar team is anchored in your head. Brady called the Jaguars the “toughest opponent”to face this season. Words that Jags-Linebacker Telvin Smith doesn’t like very much:”This is the oldest trick… praise your opponent to heaven. But we know exactly what is being said behind the scenes. Respect!”, said Smith in a tweet.
Jaguars: The Jags have one of the strongest defenses in the league, that much is clear. But does the unit perhaps get a little too good in the criticism because of the many scoring plays? After the 42 legal points in Pittsburgh, this was the topic of the week. Jacksonville played almost the entire game with a lead in his back and then also played more frequently in the Prevent Defense with deep coverage packages. The two touchdowns by Antonio Brown, as well as the lateral pass at the Scramble from Ben Roethlisberger to Le’ Veon Bell and his TD-reception at the Wheel Route in closest coverage by Telvin Smith were also outstanding placements. Nevertheless, the 545 offensive yards and 28 first downs are too much for such a renowned defense. Patriots can also play with the ball in their own hands.
Where the patriots stay calm and praise the opponent and his strengths in perhaps exuberant measure, some Jags-Players have already caught it with the anticipation of Sunday. Jalen Ramsey, for example, explained that after he and a few team-mates had landed at home in EverBank Field on the victory in Pittsburgh, that they “move into the Super Bowl” and “win”it. Meanwhile, Gronkowski had “never played against a corner like me before”, Ramsey said during the week. The Jags in New England definitely have to control their overzealousness.
Players to Watch
Patriots: Dion Lewis. Gronkowski is the focus of every defense that takes on the patriots. Then comes a super-hazardous receiving corps that can do damage over short and long passes, but there is not enough talk about one of Brady’s favourite targets. Running Back Lewis seems to be the available option whenever Brady goes through the progressions and doesn’t have a receiver. Against Tennessee there were 15 Carries and 9 Receptions. This means that in the last 5 games, Lewis caught at least 5 passes four times. Lewis is the option when Brady doesn’t have an option anymore.
Jaguars: Jalen Ramsey. As already suggested, the chances are good that Ramsey will actually take on Gronkowski. Ramsey is undoubtedly one of the strongest, if not the strongest corner of the league at the moment. To Gronk (1.98 m) however, 13 centimetres of height are missing. In terms of speed, strength and athletics he could be up to the challenge. The matchup could be one of the best of the year. If Ramsey manages to stop Brady from throwing his tight end, the Pats would be deprived of the strongest offensive weapon.
What matters
What level did Belichick and Brady choose to attack the Jaguar Defense? As already mentioned, Running Back Lewis could become the X-factor. If the low options are still available, Lewis manages to offer himself as a play station and complete a few yards after the catch, even with very good coverage. A frustrating needle tip for the defense. Defensively you have to keep the run of Fournette in perspective and be prepared for play action. Bortles’ Scrambles also enjoy more and more positive reviews in the playoffs.
Once again, the Jaguars have to do their job on the Line of Scrimmage. If you manage to open holes here, Fournette can inflict damage to your opponent. But be careful: The Pats have already controlled the supposedly strong run game of the opponent against Tennessee extraordinarily well. Defensively you have to increase the pressure on Brady because of the latest news. He will try to avoid any contact with the opponent and throw the ball earlier than usual.
forecast
The patriots are definitely going into the game as favourites. Although the Jaguars Defense is undoubtedly a very strong unit, the Pats are always well prepared and at home on the playoff stage. The Jags were able to eradicate the experience factor against the Steelers, but New England is in its current condition a different house number. Offensively, one is still somewhat limited. New England will control the Run Game and deny the Jaguars their first Super Bowl entry. Tip: 24:10 Patriots
Pascal
De Marco
Page 1: New England Patriots vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Page 2: Philadelphia Eagles vs. Minnesota Vikings