Jacksonville Jaguars 20 New England Patriots 24: Tom Brady and Danny Amendola lead dramatic fourth-quarter comeback to reach Super Bowl


TOM BRADY threw two fourth-quarter touchdowns to Danny Amendola to lead New England back from the brink to another Super Bowl.

The 40-year-old quarterback found the wide receiver twice for crucial scores as they overturned a 10-point deficit at Gillette Stadium.

Danny Amendola caught two fourth-quarter touchdown passes in another stunning Patriots comeback
Danny Amendola caught two fourth-quarter touchdown passes in another stunning Patriots comeback
AP:Associated Press

Tom Brady embraces owner Robert Kraft after sealing his eighth trip to the Super Bowl
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Tom Brady embraces owner Robert Kraft after sealing his eighth trip to the Super Bowl[/caption]

Tom Brady marshalled another stunning comeback from 10 points down in the fourth quarter
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Tom Brady marshalled another stunning comeback from 10 points down in the fourth quarter[/caption]

Brady booked his spot in the Super Bowl for an eighth time and looking for a stunning sixth Vince Lombardi Trophy.

This latest comeback matches their win in Houston against Atlanta last year from 28-3 down in the NFL’s showpiece game.

Leading receiver Rob Gronkowski missed the whole second half after a vicious hit to the helmet from Barry Church.

But, against the best passing defence in the league, there was no denying Brady and New England.

Danny Amendola caught the game-winning touchdown with less than three minutes to play at Gillette Stadium
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Danny Amendola caught the game-winning touchdown with less than three minutes to play at Gillette Stadium[/caption]

Tom Brady turned to Danny Amendola when he lost his leading receiver Rob Gronkowski
Tom Brady turned to Danny Amendola when he lost his leading receiver Rob Gronkowski
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Gronkowski was missing for the second half and Brady was forced to look elsewhere.

Brandin Cooks had six catches for 100 yards on the outside, while Amendola came up big under pressure in the fourth quarter.


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It took a huge effort from New England after Jacksonville raced into a 14-3 lead and looked to have their number.

Blake Bortles played one of the games of his life, throwing for 293 yards and the opening touchdown of the game to Marcedes Lewis.

Tom Brady came under pressure all evening from a ferocious Jacksonville defence
Tom Brady came under pressure all evening from a ferocious Jacksonville defence
AP:Associated Press
Blake Bortles had the game of his life for Jacksonville, but it wasn't enough
Blake Bortles had the game of his life for Jacksonville, but it wasn’t enough
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Leonard Fournette was the lynchpin to the Jaguars offence as expected with 24 carries for 76 yards and a touchdown that opened up the 11-point lead.

Jacksonville were dominating possession with their run and play-action game and keeping Brady on the sidelines.


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It was the perfect formula to beat New England on their home patch in an AFC Championship Game, but they couldn’t sustain it for the complete distance.

James White’s touchdown run late in the first half made it a 14-10 game, and that was a drive that set the tone for the second half with Brady going long and challenging the Jaguars defensive backs.

Corners AJ Bouye and Jalen Ramsey have up some big defensive penalties, paranoid about giving up huge plays.

Marcedes Lewis caught the first touchdown pass of the game in the first quarter for Jacksonville
Marcedes Lewis caught the first touchdown pass of the game in the first quarter for Jacksonville
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Leonard Fournette pounded his way into the end zone to put Jacksonville 14-3 ahead
Leonard Fournette pounded his way into the end zone to put Jacksonville 14-3 ahead
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Jacksonville’s aggressive play-calling from the first half disappeared.

They scored just two field goals in the second half and New England did an excellent job at adjusting and slowing down Fournette.

New England marched 85 yards in eight plays before Brady’s nine-yard touchdown pass to Amendola with 8:44 remaining to move within three points at 20-17.

It could have been so much worse for the Patriots as Dion Lewis fumbled and Myles Jack recovered.

The referees blew the play dead, but Jack was taking off to the end zone for a game-winning touchdown.

James White's touchdown late in the first half gave New England hope of a comeback
James White’s touchdown late in the first half gave New England hope of a comeback
EPA

Rob Gronkowski took a big hit from Barry Church and missed the second half
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Rob Gronkowski took a big hit from Barry Church and missed the second half[/caption]

New England felt Lewis still had possession and was down by contact, while Jacksonville were furious Jack was stopped.

The just couldn’t get any offence going as the noise from Gillette Stadium and New England’s stingy defence took over.

A punt from their own end zone meant New England took over at the 30-yard line with less than five minutes to go.

Brady marched New England down the field once more, and found Amendola in the back of the end zone.

The wide receiver tapped both feet down to send Gillette Stadium into a frenzy, and New England to another Super Bowl.

Brady said: “It’s pretty amazing. Just to be on a team that wins these kinds of games, it’s just a great accomplishment.

“I’m so proud of everyone on our team, we made so many great plays.

“Defence played so great when they needed to. Just an amazing game.”


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