Conference Championship Betting Preview
Each week during the NFL postseason, theScore's Dane Belbeck will handicap every matchup and offer up his picks.
Last week's record: 2-2
Season record: 143-112-9
Jacksonville Jaguars (+9) at New England Patriots
It would have seemed crazy at the beginning of the season, but the Jacksonville Jaguars are actually heading to New England to face the Patriots this weekend. The AFC South champion rode its powerful defense and running game to rebound from a 3-13 mark last year to make the conference title game one year later. That defense faces its biggest test of the campaign against Tom Brady and the potent Patriots offense, just one week after allowing 42 points to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The first step for the Jaguars to shock the world is probably the hardest, shutting down the lethal passing attack led by Brady. Jacksonville features the best pass defense in the league, and the veteran quarterback against Jalen Ramsey and the talent-laden defense is the one to watch on Sunday.
As he's done throughout his career, Bill Belichick will take away the opposition's best offensive option, and for Jacksonville that's clearly the rushing attack. The Steelers attempted to stop Leonard Fournette and force Blake Bortles to beat them through the air, but failed miserably. New England will have more success, but the Jaguars' defense will keep this one real close. Patriots 28, Jaguars 27
Minnesota Vikings (-3) at Philadelphia Eagles
(Photo courtesy: Action Images)
The battle of the backups goes down in Philadelphia on Sunday as the Eagles and Nick Foles sqaure off against Case Keenum and the Minnesota Vikings. Foles wasn't called on often in last week's win over the Falcons, but performed well when needed to move the offense. That task gets much tougher this week against the league's best overall defense. The Vikings allowed the second-fewest rushing yards per contest, so the dual threat of Jay Ajayi and LeGarrette Blount will be in tough.
The same applies for Latavius Murray and Jerick McKinnon against the Eagles' top-ranked rushing defense. It's unlikely they will be able to move the ball at will, so it will be on Keenum to make some plays through the air. Considering Minnesota's skill-position players include Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs, it's a chore that should be accomplished.
With both defenses and running games playing to a draw, the game will likely come down to the quarterback play between Foles and Keenum. The Vikings pivot showed throughout the season that he's the better man, so take Keenum and the road team in this one. Vikings 24, Eagles 17