For the seventh straight year, and the twelfth time in sixteen seasons, the New England Patriots are heading to the AFC Championship Game. As they prepare for Sunday’s showdown in Foxboro, Full Press Patriots provides a look at their opponents, the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Scouting Report:
Offense Rank: 5th in points per game (26.1 per game); 6th in yards per game (365.9 per game);
1st in rush yards per game (141.4 per game); 17th in pass yards per game (224.6 per game)
Defense Rank: 2nd in points allowed (16.8 per game); 2nd in yards allowed (286.1 yards per game);
21st in rush defense (116.2 per game); 1st in pass yards per game (169.9 per game)
Key Offensive Players: Blake Bortles QB, Leonard Fournette RB, Marquise Lee WR, Dede Westbrook WR, Keelan Cole WR, Marcedes Lewis TE
Key Defensive Players: Malik Jackson DT, Calais Campbell DE, Yannick Ngakoue DE, Jalen Ramsey CB, A.J. Bouye CB, Telvin Smith LB
Why this is a good matchup for the Patriots:
The Patriots and Jaguars did not play in the 2017 regular season, but there is some reason to believe this could be a favorable matchup for the Patriots. New England is slowly getting healthier. With Rex Burkhead and Alan Branch returning to practice, that means Mike Gillislee is the only injured player who didn’t practice.
The Patriots also have a diverse set of weapons that should be able to take advantage of matchups that favor them. Obviously, it is not ideal to challenge A.J. Bouye or Jalen Ramsey if you do not have an obvious window, but Rob Gronkowski over the middle of the field, as well as isolating James White, Dion Lewis, and Rex Burkhead on linebackers should give the Patriots enough room to move the ball.

And although the passing game is normally the Patriots bread and butter, the key to beating the Jaguars may be in the rushing attack. The Jaguars have by the far number one passing defense in the NFL allowing about 22 yards less per game than the second place Vikings, but they rank just 21st in the NFL in rush defense. Conversely, the Patriots rush offense is 10th in the NFL, led by outstanding run blockers in Nate Solder and Shaq Mason.
This is just another example of how diverse and multiple the Patriots offense is and how they can take advantage of any small advantage. Another note is that Jaguars usually explosive returner Jordan Mickens has had trouble making clean catches on returns, something you can bet special teams coordinator Joe Judge and veteran Matthew Slater have noted in film sessions.
-
Ep 103: Tom Brady Retires, Sean Payton To Broncos, Super Bowl Primer
by Full Press Coverage on February 5, 2023 at 3:49 pm
Why this is a bad matchup for the Patriots:
This one is simple. The Jaguars do everything that has given the Patriots fit over the years. They have a strong man-to-man corner play on the outside that allows them to leave the corners one on one without help, they can get pressure with four-man and even some three-man rushes, they have a fast, athletic linebacker crew, and on offense, they control the ball with a power run game.
If the prognosticators are correct, it will most likely be a low scoring game. There would be a tremendous amount of pressure put on the Patriots defense that has given up yards but has tightened up in the red zone. However, the Jaguars have one of the strongest red zone offenses in the NFL, ranking second in the NFL by scoring touchdowns on 64.7 percent of the drives in the red zone.
The Patriots have a tough matchup on their hands as the Jaguars head up to Foxboro. For a team that has had trouble separating on the outside, there is a good chance this offense may struggle to move the ball.
Key Matchup: Patriots offensive line vs Jaguars defensive line
Although this section is usually reserved for a specific in-game matchup, the battle in the trenches is the one that will most likely tip the scales against the Patriots or for the Patriots. The Patriots offensive line has been solid against the run but is the worst ranked team in the playoff field as far as offensive pass blocking efficiency, while the Jaguars are 2nd in sacks with 55 sacks. Calais Campbell and Yannick Ngakoue both represent challenging matchups for an offensive line that will need to gives the receivers as much time as possible considering the skill and physicality of the Jaguars cornerbacks.

In the run game, the Patriots getting to the second level and attacking linebackers and corners will be critical to controlling the ball and moving the ball. If they can do that, the play action pass should be available over the middle of the field.
Favorability scale (1 being ‘stay away’ / 5 being ‘neutral’ / 10 being ‘Mr. Kraft should fly them here himself’
4– The Jaguars as stated above possess all the traits of teams that have had the number of the Patriots over the years. The cornerback play, pass rush and a potential ability to control the clock with the run game represent a dangerous matchup for a team that has had trouble getting their receivers to separate from man to man coverage over the course of the season.
However, one can’t help but feel the Patriots defense that finished fifth in points allowed per game at 18.5 points per game, would be more than able to hold their own against a quarterback in Blake Bortles who has committed 16 turnovers this year. In this scenario look for the Patriots to make the Jaguars put the ball in Bortles’ hands and make him read the defense and make some throws in tight windows.
Belichick and Patricia have a lot of pressure to come up with a solid game plan. However, they are at home. The Patriots should be able to put up enough points to make the Jaguars uncomfortable and have to put the ball in Bortles’ hands.
–David Albiani is a Staff Writer for Full Press Coverage Sports Media. He covers the New England Patriots. Follow him on Twitter @david_albiani
-
Ep 142: Former Washington Quarterback And Super Bowl Champion Doug Williams Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on February 3, 2023 at 10:19 pm
Former Washington quarterback and Super Bowl champion Doug Williams joins […]
-
Ep 141: Andy Reid, Eagles, And Conference Championship Weekend w/ Joe Bannerby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 5:36 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by former Eagles President Joe Banner to talk […]
-
Ep 137: Hall Of Fame Discussion w/ John Turneyby Full Press Coverage on December 30, 2022 at 5:33 pm
Football historian John Turney of Pro Football Journal joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 136: Remembering The Longest Game Ever Played With Larry Littleby Full Press Coverage on December 24, 2022 at 1:09 am
On the 51-year anniversary of the longest game ever played (Chiefs vs. […]
-
Ep 135: Hall of Fame Semifinalist Jahri Evans Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on December 16, 2022 at 3:51 pm
Former Saints guard and 2023 HOF Semifinalist Jahri Evans joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 134: Remember AFL/NFL Star John Hadl with Nick Canepaby Full Press Coverage on December 8, 2022 at 2:39 pm
Former Hall of Fame voter, Nick Canepa, joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 133: Hall Of Fame Semifinalist Henry Ellard Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on November 30, 2022 at 4:28 pm
Former Rams and Redskins wide receiver, Henry Ellard, joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 132: Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023 Semifinalists w/ Rick Gosselinby Full Press Coverage on November 22, 2022 at 6:15 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by Pro Football Hall of Fame voter Rick Gosselin […]
-
Ep 131: 'Football Heaven' With PFHOF Senior Advisor Joe Horriganby Full Press Coverage on November 17, 2022 at 5:55 pm
Pro Football Hall of Fame Senior Advisor, Joe Horrigan, joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 130: Remembering John McVay With Hall of Famer Eddie DeBartolo Jr.by Full Press Coverage on November 13, 2022 at 1:42 am
Clark and Ira are joined by Hall of Fame owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. to […]
-
Ep 271: NFL Championship Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 26, 2023 at 1:58 pm
-
Ep 270: NFL Divisional Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 1:31 am
-
Ep 269: NFL Playoff Previewby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 4:13 am
-
Ep 268: Week 16 Fantasy Rankingsby Full Press Coverage on December 21, 2022 at 9:45 pm
-
(Season 3.3) Commanders Talk w/ NFL Analyst Mark Bullock and Deuce from Redzone in the Labby Full Press Coverage on February 7, 2023 at 10:26 pm
NFL Analyst Mark Bullock joins the "Command the Mic" Podcast hosted by […]
-
(Episode 3.2) Offseason Talk with the "Command This!" Podcastby Full Press Coverage on February 1, 2023 at 3:04 am
George Carmi hosts Steve, Dev, and Phil as they discuss the Commanders […]
-
2/7 - Super Bowl Headlines, Mahomes, Tom Brady Podcastby Full Press Coverage on February 7, 2023 at 3:30 pm
Ian and John discuss some of the headlines heading into Super Bowl 57 […]
-
2/6 - Kyrie Irving Traded, Sean Payton To Broncos, Early Super Bowl Oddsby Full Press Coverage on February 6, 2023 at 3:04 pm
Ian and John discuss the Kyrie Irving trade, Sean Payton heading to […]
-
2/3 - Tom Brady Retires... For Goodby Full Press Coverage on February 3, 2023 at 2:20 pm
Ian and John react to Tom Brady's second, and likely final, retirement. […]
-
1/31 - Tom Brady and the 49ers, Aaron Rodgers Futureby Full Press Coverage on January 31, 2023 at 9:00 am
Ian and John discuss whether or not the 49ers loss in the NFC Championship […]
-
Talkamania Episode 230by Talkamania on September 6, 2022 at 11:43 pm
-
Talkamania Episode 229by Talkamania on August 5, 2022 at 3:37 am
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 211 "Steel Reserve"by Boot 2 The Face on January 28, 2023 at 6:59 pm
We preview the Royal Rumble and other things in the week of pro wreslting. […]
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 210 "No Monè, No Monè, No Monè"by Boot 2 The Face on January 19, 2023 at 12:55 am
Rucker and EJ are back discussing Rucker going to Impacts Hard to Kill […]
-
Ep.94: Bracketologyby Full Press Coverage on February 8, 2023 at 6:00 am
-
Super Bowl: Eagles vs Chiefsby Broken Controller Media on February 8, 2023 at 5:15 am
-
Full Press MMA - Tuesday, February 7thby Full Press Coverage on February 8, 2023 at 1:05 am
-
I Wanna Have Your Baby (Canucks) - Feb. 7, 2023by Full Press Coverage on February 8, 2023 at 12:30 am
-
Thunder at Lakersby Broken Controller Media on February 7, 2023 at 11:00 pm
-
(Season 3.3) Commanders Talk w/ NFL Analyst Mark Bullock and Deuce from Redzone in the Labby Full Press Coverage on February 7, 2023 at 10:26 pm
-
Timberwolves at Nuggetsby Broken Controller Media on February 7, 2023 at 10:00 pm
-
Bulls at Grizzliesby Broken Controller Media on February 7, 2023 at 9:00 pm
-
Hawks at Pelicansby Broken Controller Media on February 7, 2023 at 8:00 pm
-
Knicks at Magicby Broken Controller Media on February 7, 2023 at 7:00 pm
-
1/6 - Damar Hamlin Update, Bills/Bengals, AFC Playoffs, Week 18 Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 6, 2023 at 3:11 pm
-
Winter Classic: Bruins Rally To Beat Penguins At Fenwayby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:09 am
-
1/3 - Bills/Bengals Postponed; Bruins Topple Penguins In Winter Classicby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:05 am
-
1/2 - Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Week 17, Bills/Bengalsby Full Press Coverage on January 3, 2023 at 3:22 am
-
12/30 - New Year's Eve, Luka Doncic, NBA Talk, Week 17 Preview and Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 1, 2023 at 2:29 am
-
Aaron Rodgers, Packers Win Third Straight; Playoffs In Sightby Full Press Coverage on December 27, 2022 at 7:36 pm