The New England Patriots are headed to Super Bowl LII after defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars 24-20 in the AFC Championship game at Gillette Stadium Sunday. They will face the Philadelphia Eagles, who defeated the Minnesota Vikings 27-7 for the NFC Championship title.
The Super Bowl will be a rematch for the Patriots and the Eagles, who faced off in 2005 for Super Bowl XXXIX with the Patriots taking home the trophy.
Confetti decorated the field during the post-game victory celebration and trophy presentation. The Patriots' comeback from a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter was led by quarterback Tom Brady who, after suffering a much-talked about hand injury earlier in the week, threw a four-yard touchdown pass to Danny Amendola with less than three minutes remaining in the game. Tight end Rob Gronkowski left the game at the end of the first half with a head injury that was ruled as a concussion, according to the Boston Herald, and never returned.
The win secured a 10th Super Bowl appearance for the Patriots, which is the most among any NFL team. This also marks coach Bill Belichick's eighth Super Bowl appearance as a head coach and a ninth AFC title for Patriots owner, Robert Kraft, which is an NFL record and the most by any owner. This came on the 24th anniversary of the day Kraft took ownership of the team.
For Patriots fans, it was a classic nail-biting finish. The celebrations continued in the parking lot after the game and musician Andy Ross of Falmouth entertained his friends by playing his guitar in a tailgate tent as jubilant fans exited the stadium.
“I’m just playing for the Patriots, since we got no voices left, we’re playing the blues," he said.
Fans were anything but blue, and many were stunned by the victory including Matt Walton of Melrose.
“Up until the last seven minutes, I was thinking we may not make it," he said.
Kelly Sutton of Natick never doubted the team. "It’s the Patriots, and you can never count them out," she said.
Her son, Brady Hargraves (who is named after Tom Brady), wasn't sure they'd pull out a win after being down 20-10 going into the fourth quarter. "I was little bit nervous at the end," he said.
Tom Brady has led the Patriots to five Super Bowl wins, including last year's 34-28 overtime rally against the Atlanta Falcons. The Philadelphia Eagles, who will be making their third Super Bowl appearance, are looking to win their first Lombardi Trophy.
Super Bowl LII will take place Feb. 4 in Minneapolis.
Correction: This story incorrectly stated the date of the Super Bowl and has been updated.
