NFL Championship Games
AFC: Jacksonville Jaguars vs. New England Patriots. Even with Jacksonville’s dominant defense, no one could have foreseen a Blake Bortles-led team just one game from the Super Bowl. To win on Sunday, Jacksonville will need to play turnover-free football while running the ball effectively and controlling the time of possession. Keeping the ball away from Tom Brady and the Patriots offense will be crucial. I expect Leonard Fournette to have a huge game against New England’s front seven, but ultimately, I think Brady will make more plays than Bortles and because of that and Bill Belichick’s mastery, the Patriots will punch their ticket to Super Bowl LII. Patriots 31, Jaguars 20.
NFC: Minnesota Vikings vs. Philadelphia Eagles. If Carson Wentz were healthy, the Eagles would be a lock for the Super Bowl. But, he’s not. Philadelphia will have to hope that Nick Foles can win the battle of backup quarterbacks. I just don’t think that he can. After beating the Saints in the most improbable way, it seems as though the Vikings are a team of destiny. The Vikings will pull out a close one at Lincoln Financial Field and become the first team to play the Super Bowl in their home stadium. Vikings 23, Eagles 17.
