The Jacksonville Jaguars were in the AFC championship game for the first time since 1999, as they rolled into Heinz Field and defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers by the final score of 45-42. From the opening kickoff, the Jaguars dominated the Steelers in an impressive manner and they are now one win away from completing their improbable postseason run towards appearing in Super Bowl 52.
Bortles proves doubters wrong
Blake Bortles and the Jacksonville Jaguars were supposed to be happy just to be here. Evidently, they didn't get the memo. Sure, Bortles' numbers at the end of the game may not have been overwhelming to the naked eye, but the Jags quarterback played a solid game Sunday afternoon, leading the Jacksonville offense on several long drives in their huge upset win.
On paper, Bortles was dominated by Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger. Big Ben threw for 469 yards and five touchdowns, however, when the Steelers needed a key play or conversion, they couldn't produce. Bortles had 214 passing yards and one touchdown, but he also made several big plays running and passing the ball to help keep drives alive.
Bortles rushed for 35 yards on five carries, helping keep the Steelers defense off balance. Along with rookie running back Leonard Fournette, who blasted the Steelers defense for 109 yards and three touchdowns, the Jaguars showed that they are one of the top teams in the AFC that many experts admittedly have overlooked.
Jags now face true David vs Goliath test
Now the Jaguars will face the almighty New England Patriots next weekend with the AFC Championship on the line. Can Jacksonville continue their miracle drive towards Super Bowl 52? If so, they will have to make something happen that has not happened much at all over the past decade — defeat the New England Patriots on their home field.
New England destroyed the Tennessee Titans on Saturday night with the final score of 35-14.
and at times the Pats made it look easy — as in too easy. Tom Brady is the best in the game and the Patriots are playing in their seventh straight AFC Championship in a row next week. Still, Jacksonville has a lot to be proud of. They will be huge underdogs, but right now they don't care. The Jaguars and their fans are just going to sit back and celebrate this win.
The Jaguars and Patriots will meet up next Sunday at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 PM ET and the game will air on CBS nationally.