In a dramatic prelude of Crisco Cops and Handgate, this Sunday did not disappoint.
Patriots fans, notorious for declaring the postseason as the start of their regular season, had their egos tested against the Jacksonville Jaguars, who held a consistent lead over the league Goliath until the final moments of the game. The first quarter started off tight, with the Patriots putting the first points on the board after a field goal kick from Gostkowski. Marcedes Lewis opened up the second quarter with a a short run for Jacksonville after a 7 play & 76 yard drive. With a good kick from Josh Lambo, the Jags took their first lead over the Patriots, 7-3. A few minutes later, Leonard Fournette continued the Jacksonville momentum, following up with a four yard run right up the middle, securing another score. A rattled Patriots offense answered with an 85 yard drive, including 47 penalty yards, able to get their first score after Brady connected to Brandon Cooks for 12 yards at the end of the second quarter. With a good kick from Gostkowski, the halftime score was 14-10, Jags. Not only were the Pats behind at the half, but they lost their star TE when Gronk took a nasty helmet-to-helmet hit from Barry Church. Gronk was taken out on concussion protocol and was unable to return for the entirety of the game. While many saw the Church hit as dirty, defensive backs around the league like Richard Sherman reminded spectators that the alternative to the high-hit, a hit to the knees, could have resulted in a much worse result. It’s uncertain if Gronk will be back for the big dance, but the Patriots offense will be much more insecure without him.
Coming back from the half, the third quarter went scoreless beyond the absolute rocket that Josh Lambo secured for 54-yards giving the Jags a 7 point lead going into the fourth quarter. Lambo was not done yet, though, and followed up with another monster kick at the 57, giving the Jags 10 over the Patriots. The Patriots started a huge run after Brady was able to connect to Dion Lewis, but Jaguars’ linebacker Myles Jack was able to snag the loose ball after a sack on Lewis, giving Jacksonville possession of the ball for the first turnover of the game. The Jags were unable to convert to a first down, and kicked the ball back to New England with less than 9 minutes left in the game.
Then, in true Patriot fashion, the five-time Super Bowl champion, sporting a glove and an alleged 10 stitches on his hand, resurrected the iconic offensive intensity of his team. In a short pass to Danny Amendola with 8:44 remaining, Brady secured a score with a good extra kick. Amendola followed up with another touchdown after a bullet pass from Brady to gave the Pats a lead after being down the majority of the game. A good kick from Gostkowski gave the Pats a 4-point lead with 2:48 left to go. At the two minute warning James Harrison continued to harass Blake Bortles, who fumbled the ball that was fortunately recovered by Jacksonville. Going for it on fourth down, Bortles made a long pass down the right that was swatted by CB Stephon Gilmore. Gaining possession with 1:40 left, Dion Lewis made a huge run down the field.
Lewis’ run sealed the deal for the Pats and causing Bill Belichick to show the most emotion he has this season, ending the game 24-20 in favor of New England. An emotional loss for Jacksonville and crew, Blake Bortles will enter the postseason with an ambiguous future. Bortles threw 23 of 36 for 293 yards and a touchdown, and undoubtedly has improved this season. Nevertheless, rumors of Jacksonville securing Alex Smith, Kirk Cousins and maybe even Eli Manning have been floating around. Still, the Jags could extend Bortles’ contract for a year, or several if they choose. Leonard Fournette had 76 rushing yards and 13 receiving yards, with one touchdown.
Brady threw 26 of 38 for 290 yards and two scores, while Dion Lewis led the Pats rushing game with 34 yards on 9 carries. Brandon Cooks had a monster receiving game with 6 receptions for 100 yards, while Danny Amendola had 7 receptions, 84 yards and two touchdowns. The Patriots will look forward to uphold the Empire on February 4th.
In a heated Philadelphia with greased poles and an arrogant Skol invasion, Nick Foles had himself a night. The homedogs brought it, to put it lightly. The Vikings were able to put up the first score of the game after Case Keenum connected to Kyle Rudolph for a 25-yard pass. After a good kick from Kai Forbath, the Vikings took the lead. Eagles defensive end Chris Long was able to rattle Keenum soon after, and tip the throw enough for Eagles’ Patrick Robinson to get a pick, running it right into the end zone for an Eagles touchdown. This was the first defensive touchdown the Vikings have suffered all season. A good kick from Jake Elliot would tie the game 7-7.
LeGarrette Blount would start the second quarter after a run for 11 yards into the end zone for another Philadelphia score and good kick from Elliot. In a 7-play and 76-yard drive, Nick Foles connected in an insane 53-yard pass to WR Alshon Jeffery, and Elliot put up another good kick for a score of 21-7, Eagles. The Vikings lost possession after a strip from Derek Barnett on Case Keenum, giving Philadelphia possession with less than three minutes left in the first half. Elliot kept up his streak with a 38-yard field goal for the Birds at the end of the first half to give the Eagles a 17 point lead.
The Eagles continued to release their offensive fury after Foles passed deep for 41-yards to WR Torrey Smith. Skol was finally able to find some leverage after Keenum passed a short left drive to Adam Thielen for 7 yards for what appeared to be a touchdown. The ruling on the field was a touchdown, but upon review, the officials reversed the score, keeping the score 31-13 after the replay showed a loss of control by Thielen. The Eagles would get possession, leading by 24 as they headed into the fourth.
Alshon Jeffery secured another score for the Eagles after Foles led them 92 yards down the field, and a good kick from Elliot. A fight broke out soon after, which resulted in a 15 yard penalty on Minnesota. The misfortune continued for the Vikings in the final minutes of the fourth quarter as a pass by Case Keenum intended for Adam Thielen was intercepted by Corey Graham at the Philadelphia 7.
The rest of the game would go scoreless, and Nick Foles will look to lead his team to Super Bowl 52. After the Vikings’ kneel, DE Chris Long, who played with Foles in St. Louis, mouthed to Foles, “I always believed in you”, encapsulating the emotionally charged win for Philadelphia after a tumultuous road, losing star Carson Wentz to a knee injury amidst their winning momentum.
Foles had an incredible performance, throwing 26 of 33 for 352 yards and three touchdowns. Jay Ajayi led the Philadelphia rushing game with 73 yards, while Zach Ertz had 8 receptions for 93 yards. Alshon Jeffery shined for the Eagles with 5 receptions, 85 yards and 2 touchdowns.
It was needless to say a mournful energy on the other side of the ball, especially after the Minneapolis Miracle from last week. Case Keenum threw 28 of 48 for one touchdown and two interceptions. Jerick McKinnon had 40 rushing yards and 86 receiving yards, and Stefon Diggs had 8 receptions and 70 yards.
The entire Philadelphia stadium rang out in “Fly, Eagles, Fly” when Jeffrey Lurie was awarded the NFC trophy. Lurie praised the players, claiming “the resilience” of this team is “unequaled”. Doug Pederson added, “I’m so happy for Nick, I’m so happy for the offense….he stayed the course, we all believed in him”.
It is going to be an epic matchup in Minneapolis, especially if Philadelphia keeps up their offensive stealth. But the road ahead is not easy, and they will have to continue to embrace their underdog mentality as they carry on against New England.
