NFL conference finals: A run for the Lombardi trophy

Oliver Lockwood-Powell, Sports Editor

For the past 20 weeks, 32 teams have been competing to get to where only two remaining teams would play, the Super Bowl. Through cold, snowy midwest games to the beaches of Florida and California, all 32 teams had the Lombardi trophy in the back of their heads and only four teams remain.

 

The Philadelphia Eagles:

All season long, the Eagles have been the father-figure in the league, clearly being the team to beat coming out of the regular season only losing three games and having the best record in the league, However, things have not been the same after the injury that sent Carson Wentz, the Eagles All-Star starting quarterback, to the IR for the rest of the year due to an ACL tear. The dynamic of this team may have changed, but the heart and passion will continue to carry over against their game vs. the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC championship this Sunday, Jan. 21.

 

The Minnesota Vikings:

Through thick and thin, the Vikings have shook off every doubt that they belong this year. Sitting at the second seed in the NFC, with a record of 13-3, the Vikes go into Philadelphia with one of the most monumental plays in NFL history pushing them into their next contest. Last Sunday, Stefon Diggs, a wide receiver for the Vikings, caught potentially the most clutch touchdown in the history of the sport. Headed to the sideline, Diggs leaped up to catch Case Keenum’s 61-yard TD pass to send them to the NFC championship against the Eagles. The Vikings look to capitalize in Philadelphia and head back home to defend U.S. bank Stadium where the Super Bowl is held.

 

The New England Patriots:

Nothing new here. Tom Brady has been in the AFC championship more often than not. In 15 years as a starter, Brady has led the Patriots to seven Super Bowls, winning five of them. Being the most experienced QB in the game, Brady will look to add to his resume against the three seed Jacksonville Jaguars, who are led by one of the least experienced QB’s in the game, Blake Bortles. With the game set to be played at Gillette Stadium, Brady and company look to take care of business and face the winner of the NFC championship game in the Super Bowl.

 

The Jacksonville Jaguars:

Being a clear underdog in this year’s AFC matchup, the Jacksonville Jaguars look to prove the haters wrong. Coming in at the third seed, they are the lowest seed to still remain. Analysts and experts have all counted them out from the beginning, showing little to no hope for the widely hated on Jags. Fresh off a 45-42 win against the two seed Pittsburgh Steelers, Bortles and Leonard Fournette look to dethrone Brady and get into the Super Bowl early in their careers, both being 25-years-old or younger.