Here are ten thoughts on the AFC and NFC championship games. The Patriots, Jaguars game lived up to the hype. Conversely, no one saw the Eagles blowing out the Vikings.

1. You have to tip your hat to Doug Marrone and his staff for the job they did getting the Jaguars to the AFC Championship game. Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett and defensive coordinator Todd Wash will both be head coaching candidates next off season.

2. Jacksonville gave the Patriots all they can handle but in the end, I do believe that the moment got too big for them. Ill-advised penalties and conservative play calling did them in, especially in the fourth quarter.

3. What else can you say about Tom Brady that hasn’t already been said? We ran out of superlatives five years ago. Brady was magnificent in the fourth quarter and led the Patriots to the come from behind win. Jacksonville got Brady’d!

4. The Patriots need to keep their fingers crossed that Rob Gronkowski can play in the Super Bowl. He was a little woozy when he stood up and did not return to the game. I think Philly will struggle to match up with him if healthy. That’s a big IF right now.

5. Danny Amendola AKA Danny Playoffs once again stepped it up when the Patriots needed him. Amendola caught 7 passes for 84 yards and 2 touchdown passes. Amendola has been a non factor during the regular season in each of the last three seasons but he has been instrumental in the Patriots winning two of the last three Super Bowls.

6. Ahhh yeah. I didn’t expect the Eagles to win let alone drub the Vikings the way they did. Philadelphia dominated the game from the second quarter on.

7. Remember when Nick Foles sucked and the Eagles were going to lose in the divisional round? Yeah, Foles played out his mind completing 26/33 for 352 yards and 3 touchdown passes. Foles probably played better than Carson Wentz would have.

8. The Eagles front seven is as good as any in the league and they proved that against the Vikings. If the Patriots don’t use some max protection stuff in the Super Bowl, Tom Brady could be in for a long night.

9. Chris Long and LeGarrette Blount were central figures in the Patriots winning a Super Bowl last season. Now they will try to beat their former team. Both could play a prominent role in this game.

10. The Vikings had a “nice” season but the fact of the matter is, if they don’t get better quarterback play, they are a pretender, not a contender.