NEW ENGLAND’s clash with Jacksonville this weekend is a case of irresistible force against immovable object.
The leading quarterback in the NFL this season Tom Brady and his high-powered offence face one of the best defences in the league in the ferocious Jaguars.
Here are three key battles where the AFC Championship Game will be won and lost.
Patriots offensive line vs Jags pass rush
Jacksonville are loaded with talent on their defensive line and are one of few teams who can generate pass rush all across the unit.
Malik Jackson, Calais Campbell and Co have to get to Tom Brady for the Jags to have any chance on Sunday.
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The 40-year-old quarterback can pick defences apart, and he also likes stepping into the pocket away from the pressure off the edge.
That makes defensive tackle Jackson in particular a key factor if he can apply pressure right up the middle and not give Brady any room to step into.
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Leonard Fournette vs Patriots run defence
There’s no doubt who the key to Jacksonville’s offence is.
It’s the fourth overall pick rookie Fournette, who has pounded defences all season and can expect a lot of attention from New England on Sunday.
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick will try and shut him down and force quarterback Bortles to beat them at Gillette Stadium.
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Fournette had just 57 yards in the 10-3 win over Buffalo and the whole offence looked out of sync and dysfunctional.
But against Pittsburgh he had 109 yards and three touchdowns and the Jags put up 45 points – albeit helped by their defence too.
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Rob Gronkowski vs Jacksonville linebackers
Jacksonville are one of few teams who match up fairly well when it comes to stopping the animal that is Rob Gronkowski.
The Patriots tight end is used to mismatches, either being too big and strong for defensive backs or too fast for linebackers.
Jacksonville have one of the best linebacking unites in Myles Jack, Telvin Smith and Paul Posluszny in trying to deal with the Gronk.
Cornerback Jalen Ramsey could float into the middle of the field and use his size on Gronkowski, too, and leave AJ Bouye to handle wide receiver Brandin Cooks.
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