The 2018 AFC Championship game was one for the books, a nail-biting showdown between the underdog Jacksonville Jaguars and the perennial powerhouse New England Patriots. For Jaguars fans, it was a heartbreaker, a game that slipped through their fingers in the agonizing final minutes. While many remember the final score, fewer recall the pivotal drive midway through the fourth quarter, a series of plays that ultimately shifted the game’s momentum and sealed the Jaguars’ fate. Let’s relive those agonizing moments, breaking down five key plays that shifted the game’s trajectory.
Play #1: A Cushion Too Generous?
Situation: 1st and 10 at NE 15
The Jaguars, boasting one of the league’s most formidable defenses, had managed to contain Tom Brady and the Patriots’ offense for much of the game. With a comfortable 10-point lead in the fourth quarter, the Jaguars’ secondary took the field, seemingly poised to deliver the knockout punch.
The Play: A.J. Bouye, one half of the Jaguars’ lockdown cornerback duo, lined up across from Brandin Cooks, giving the speedy receiver a surprisingly generous cushion. While the Patriots were without Rob Gronkowski, the Jaguars’ conservative approach seemed uncharacteristic, particularly given their defensive prowess.
The Aftermath: Although the play nearly went in the Jaguars’ favor, the decision to give Cooks so much space raised eyebrows. Why not utilize the Jaguars’ strength – their tight coverage – to force a mistake or an incompletion?
Play #2: A Glimmer of Hope
Situation: 1st and 10 at NE 33
The Patriots, fueled by a sense of urgency, found themselves facing another first down. Enter Marcell Dareus, the Jaguars’ impactful mid-season acquisition.
The Play: Dareus, known for his run-stuffing ability, showcased his pass-rushing prowess, bursting through the line and sacking Tom Brady. The sack pushed the Patriots back to their own 25-yard line, setting up a daunting 2nd and 18.
The Aftermath: For a moment, it seemed as if the Jaguars had weathered the storm. Dareus’s sack, a display of his disruptive presence, injected a surge of hope into the Jaguars’ sideline and fans alike.
Play #3: A Missed Opportunity
Situation: 2nd and 18 at NE 25
Facing a long conversion attempt, Tom Brady dropped back, looking for a receiver downfield.
The Play: Brady launched a deep pass, but the Jaguars’ secondary, demonstrating their signature tight coverage, blanketed the Patriots’ receivers. Tashaun Gipson and Jalen Ramsey were in perfect position, effectively taking away Brady’s options.
The Aftermath: It should have been a game-defining stop, a momentum-shifting turnover on downs. Instead, the Patriots lived to fight another play.
Play #4: The Turning Point
Situation: 3rd and 18 at NE 25
With the Patriots backed up deep in their own territory, the Jaguars had a golden opportunity to deliver the knockout blow.
The Play: Myles Jack, a key cog in the Jaguars’ defensive machine, appeared to misjudge his coverage assignment, allowing Danny Amendola to find a soft spot in the zone. Brady, sensing the opening, delivered a strike to Amendola for a crucial first down.
The Aftermath: The play, later analyzed and debated endlessly by fans and analysts, became the game’s turning point. It breathed life back into the Patriots’ offense and sowed the seeds of doubt in the minds of the Jaguars and their fans.
Play #5: Desperation and Trickery
Situation: 1st and 10 at JAX 23
The Patriots, reinvigorated by their improbable third-down conversion, continued their march downfield.
The Play: Bill Belichick and Josh McDaniels, sensing the Jaguars’ vulnerability, reached deep into their playbook, dialing up a perfectly executed screen pass to Brandin Cooks. The play exploited a momentary lapse in the Jaguars’ usually disciplined defense.
The Aftermath: The Patriots, now firmly in control of the game’s momentum, punched in a touchdown a few plays later, cutting the Jaguars’ lead to three points. The Jaguars, once on the cusp of victory, found themselves locked in a dogfight.
These five plays, seemingly insignificant in the grand scheme of the game, collectively represented the unraveling of the Jacksonville Jaguars’ Super Bowl aspirations. They served as a stark reminder of the fine margins that separate victory and defeat in the crucible of the NFL playoffs.
