NFL Conference Championship Preview

After the NFL Divisional round shock, we now have three out of four teams in the competition who have never won the Super Bowl. Philadelphia Eagles play against the Minnesota Vikings for the NFC title and the New England Patriots face the Jacksonville Jaguars for the AFC crown.

 

AFC Championship Game: Jacksonville Jaguars vs. New England Patriots

 

 

Some say the winner of this game will be the next Super Bowl champion. The Patriots enter the match as favorites but at this stage anything is possible. The Jaguars won at Gillette Stadium during the preseason, so why not do it again now? It all comes down to who has the better defensive line and if QB Tom Brady is going to play for the Pats.

It appears there are still possibilities he might skip this important game. Rumor has it, Brady had jammed his right thumb during practice. The Patriots practiced with their back up quarterback on Thursday and Friday. Without Tom Brady, New England’s chances of winning decrease significantly.

Here are some facts about the game:

We have the best passing team opposing the best defense vs passing. QB Tom Brady led the NFL this season in passing yards – 286.1 – while Jacksonville’s defense allowed the fewest net pass yards per game – 169.9.

QB Blake Bortles of the Jaguars has never made a Pro Bowl, while QB Tom Brady is looking to receive his third MVP award.

RB Leonard Fournette of the Jaguars has a record of 1,040 yards compared to 896 yards by his main opponent, RB Dion Lewis. The latter saw less carries, though (180 against 268).

 

NFC Championship Game: Minnesota Vikings vs. Philadelphia Eagles

 

 

The Vikings are going to Philadelphia to try win a ticket to the Super Bowl back home. The ultimate NFL 2017/18 game will be played at the US Bank Stadium in Minnesota. What is better than a homefield advantage for the Super Bowl? QB Case Keenum is surely ready to remind the Eagles about the importance of having an all-round quarterback.

Eagles’ QB Nick Foles, who came as a substitution for Carson Wentz, did not impress in the first few games but now seems to be getting the hang of the situation. He did a good job against the Falcons and outplayed his counterpart QB Matt Ryan. Was it just one decent game, or we are about to see the bloom of a new superstar? The answers await this Sunday. Here is some facts about the game:

Philadelphia Eagles running back LeGarrette Blount is tied for seventh place for most postseason rushing touchdowns in the NFL history.

WR Alshon Jeffery of the Eagles has scored seven touchdowns against the Vikings in his career.

Vikings QB Case Keenum is from Texas.

Vikings WR Adam Thielen is the first Viking to record more than 1,000 receiving yards in a single season.