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NFL PREVIEW: JAGS’ BRADY KEY, VIKINGS TO MAKE HISTORY

The New England Patriots mounted a late, fourth quarter comeback to book their place in the Super Bowl in two weeks time. They’ll face a Philadelphia Eagles team looking for their first Lombardi Trophy. Speaking on the pregame show before the Patriots played the Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC championship game, Kraft said it's only natural there would be some tension between him and coach Bill Belichick after 18 years together. — Patriots coach Bill Belichick on quarterback Tom Brady playing with a right hand injury and throwing two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter to rally the Patriots to a 24-20 win over Jacksonville. The Patriots boosted their record of Super Bowl appearances to 10 and could match Pittsburgh’s record six Super Bowl triumphs on February 4 at Minneapolis, Minnesota. Nick Foles, the backup QB who was thrust into the starting role when Carson Wentz blew out his left knee last month, led the Philadelphia to a 38-7 rout of the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC championship game. The Vikings were hoping to become the first NFL team to serve as host to a Super Bowl in its own stadium, but they followed up their “Minneapolis Miracle ” with a “Flop in Philly.”

So, they’ll clear out their lockers long before the Eagles and Patriots and their fans take over U.S. Bank Stadium for Super Bowl 52 in two weeks. We came in here and came out with an amazing victory.”

It will be a rematch of Super Bowl 39 from 2005, when Brady threw two touchdown passes and the Patriots won 24-21 for their third title in four seasons, equal to the same run they could complete in two weeks. Brady shook off a hand injury and threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Danny Amendola with 2:48 remaining , rallying the Patriots to a 24-20 comeback victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC championship. It was not immediately clear what started the fight. The Vikings celebrated Kyle Rudolph‘s 25-yard touchdown catch from Case Keenum on their opening drive by mimicking the Olympic sport of curling for their TD celebration. In the first half, Keenum threw an interception - which Patrick Robinson returned for a 50-yard touchdown - and fumbled deep in Philly territory after Derek Barnett got past the Minnesota pass protection. LeGarrette Blount had an 11-yard scoring run when things were decided in the first half, and the Eagles were headed to an NFL title game the Vikings (14-4) hoped to be in at their own stadium. “You know everyone was against us,” Foles said. “Coming out here and stick together and (we) come away with an amazing victory against a great team.”

Blake Bortles and the stingy Jaguars (12-7) led New England 20-10 early in the fourth quarter, but couldn’t hold against the defending champions. Brady, wearing a black bandage on his right hand after needing stitches to close a cut that happened on a play during practice earlier in the week, showed no signs of being hampered. Keenum played most of the season after Sam Bradford was injured, and Foles came in after star Carson Wentz was hurt in Week 14. — Tom Brady, Patriots, was 26 for 38 for 290 yards with two touchdowns passes, both in the fourth quarter, in New England's 24-20 win over Jacksonville in the AFC championship game. Tom Brady and Bill Belichick will be making their eighth Super Bowl appearance as a quarterback-coach duo, as many as any other team (excluding the Patriots) in NFL history. “Now we have to go to Minnesota and finish the job,” said Patriots owner Robert Kraft. “Just to be on a team that wins these kinds of games, it’s just a great accomplishment.”

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The New England Patriots win the American Football Conference title, defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars 24–20.