While
the Jacksonville Jaguars are not playing in the AFC Championship game this
season, there are fond memories of an improbable run that just stopped short of
the Super Bowl in 2017.
Oh, what was supposed to be for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The team responded to their magical 2017-18 season – an AFC South title and
their first playoff appearance in 10 years – with a 5-11 dud. To say the team
was underwhelming may be kind. This was a team with Super Bowl aspirations and
regarded as one of the best in the NFL.
We all know how that ended with injuries and a lack of
offensive production. But the Jaguars have some connections to the last four
teams in the competition. Here’s a look at how Jacksonville figures into both
the AFC and NFC Championship games this weekend.
KANSAS
CITY CHIEFS
The start of the Jaguars’ demise began with a 30-14 loss
in week five against the Kansas City Chiefs, ironic because the team began
their AFC championship run last year in week five after beating the Pittsburgh
Steelers.
The loss showed the league that the top offense will
overcome the stingy defenses throughout the league, indicated by this year’s final
four, who all have potent offenses. The Jaguars will look to get their revenge
during the 2019 season as they take on the Chiefs at home (dates to be
announced at a later date).
NEW
ENGLAND PATRIOTS
The day after the Patriots play the Chiefs in the AFC
Conference Championship on Sunday will mark the one year anniversary of the
Jaguars losing their best bid to the Super Bowl.
The Patriots — in usual fashion — stayed in contention,
while the Jaguars fell apart in 2018. In a hot start to the season, the Jaguars
avenged that heartbreaking loss with a 31-20 win in Jacksonville.
NEW
ORLEANS SAINTS
The Jaguars met the New Orleans Saints in the first week
of preseason action, losing the game 24-20 after the Saints outscored the
Jaguars 14-0 in the fourth quarter.
New Orleans quarterback Teddy Bridgewater had a chance to
don the Black and Teal
this season amid the Jaguars’ struggles, but it was reported that
general manager Dave Caldwell turned
the New York Jets’ offer down, confident in quarterback Blake Bortles.
What could’ve been for the Jaguars and their future if
they took a chance on the young signal-caller. The Jaguars will play the Saints
at home in 2019.
LOS
ANGELES RAMS
Going into week nine, the team dealt pass rusher Dante Fowler to
the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for a 2019 third-round pick and 2020
fifth-round pick.
Also, in late December the Jaguars put in a claim for former
Rams return specialist, Pharoh Cooper,
who is now with the Arizona Cardinals.
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