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The New England Patriots and Jacksonville Jaguars will face Sunday afternoon in a repeat of the AFC championship game.
Here's everything you need to know before this game:
THE DETAILS
Time: ET 4:25
Location: TIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville
THE CHANCES
The Patriots are attached to a road favorite at a point. They have all 11-1 against the Jaguars, their only loss being in the 1998 playoff qualifying round.
Both teams come in with 1-0 records after the Patriots defeated the Houston Texans 27-20 at home in the first week and the Jaguars had a 20-15 victory over the New York Giants.
Jacksonville is the only AFC team to ever beat a New England team led by Tom Brady.
WHAT'S UP
For the Jacksonville defense, not much. The Jaguars won 10 of 11 starts in defense of last year's team, including six Pro Bowlers. Rookie Leon Jacobs took over from linebacker Paul Posluszny, D.J. Hayden replaced Aaron Colvin as time slot and Ronnie Harrison is third in the third inning when the Jags are big.
In attack, Jaguars led by Blake Bortles added receiver Donte Moncrief, tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins and left-back All-Pro Andrew Norwell. Forward Allen Hurns (six catches, 80 yards in the AFC championship game) left the free agency, and Marquise Lee (four catches, 41 yards) suffered a knee injury late in the season.
INJURY REPORT
Both teams enter this game with great questions during the run. Leonard Fournette (hamstring) of Jacksonville and Rex Burkhead (concussion) of New England and Sony Michel (knee) are all doubtful. Fournette told reporters this week that he was going to make his decision.
If Fournettte can not leave, T.J. Yeldon will be the starting half of Jacksonville. If Burkhead and Michel are not available, the Patriots may need to promote a running back from the training team to join James White and Kenjon Barner on the depth card.
Offensive tackle Marcus Cannon (calf) and cornerback Keion Crossen (hamstring) are also considered doubtful for the Patriots. Close tight Jacob Hollister and
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Chris Hogan, receiver of the patriots
Hogan is New England's No. 1 catcher until Julian Edelman returns from his four-game suspension, but he remained silent for the first week, catching only one pass on five goals for 11 yards. 66 yards, one touchdown). Hogan has always struggled to face his opponent's No.1 cornerback, which could mean a tough race for the Jaguars. All-Pro Jalen Ramsey will follow him on Sunday. Speaking of …
Jalen Ramsey, Jaguars cornerback
In addition to being a world-class talker, Ramsey is also one of the best men in the NFL. We are particularly interested to see if he will face Patriots fin Rob Gronkowski, whom he described as overestimated in an ESPN interview this summer. Jags Safety Tashaun Gipson suggested that this could be the plan.
Dante Fowler, defensive end of the Jaguars
Fowler, who was in a contract year after the Jaguars chose not to take his fifth year option, was the most effective against the Patriots in January, providing two of the Jags' three sacks and three of their seven hits. He was suspended for week 1 but will be back in action this Sunday.
Trent Brown, patriot on the left
Brown, who replaced Nate Solder in the off-season, did an admirable job against the Texans against Jadeveon Clowney last week, allowing one full pressure in the New England victory. He will be battling the other Sunday again against another NFL elite member. Brown is expected to see Fowler and Calais Campbell, but will probably spend most of the afternoon on the 2017 Pro Bowler, which had 12 career bags last season.
BY THE FIGURES
13 of 17, 141 yards, one touchdown: Brady's stats when he targets linebackers Jaguars Myles Jack and Telvin Smith in coverage of the AFC championship game, by Focus Pro Football.
First or second: The Jacksonville NFL standings in defense, yards, interceptions, sacks, assists, touchdowns and DVOA defense last season.
41 yards: The distance that Bortles has won over his keeper from the play option against the Giants. Patriots coach Bill Belichick compared Bortles' mobility this week to that of Cam Newton and Deshaun Watson.
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