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#BlitzForSix: Patriots heading back to Super Bowl after nail-biting win over Jags

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New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola, left, and quarterback Tom Brady celebrate their victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

FOXBORO, Mass. — The New England Patriots are headed to Super Bowl LII after an incredible comeback win against the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday evening at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, clinching its 10th AFC Championship title.

This is now the 10th Super Bowl appearance for the Patriots, and the 8th appearance for Quarterback Tom Brady and Coach Bill Belichick.

Now it’s on to Minneapolis where the Patriots will face-off against the Philadelphia Eagles after the team clinched the NFC Championship against the Minnesota Vikings.

“Great win. Happy for our team. You know, just a great, great game. I’m so proud of all the guys and all the coaches. Everyone.” Brady said after the win.

Brady shook off his hand injury and was able to throw a 4-yeard touchdown to Danny Amendola with only 2:48 left in the game, which helped seal the deal.

It wasn’t an easy win, though. The Jags enjoyed a 20-10 lead until Amendola grabbed a nine-yard scoring strike from Brady with 8:44 remaining.

But Brady, who was wearing a black bandage on his right hand, showed no signs of being hampered. And, with the game – and possibly season – on the line, the G.O.A.T. came up big again.

“When you talk about anything that comes up during the week, we don’t worry about that,” safety Devin McCourty said after the game. “Because we put in so much work to get to this game that nothing is going to derail us nothing is going to get us off task because these games are too hard to win.”

It's been 13 years since the Patriots beat the Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX, and once again they'll fight for the title, this time on Feb. 4 in Minneapolis.

PATS vs JAGS PHOTO GALLERY

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Below is the blog-style story that was written and updated before, during and after the game. Here you can find the highlights of this thrilling game.

6:05 p.m.:

THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS ARE GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL!

Patriots clinched the AFC Championship title once again after Dion Lewis got the 1st down!

Final score: 24-20 Patriots!

5:53 p.m.:

Amendola scores ANOTHER touchdown with Brady's pass! Patriots take the lead 24-20 with under 3 minutes left to go!!

5:50 p.m.: 

4:58 left to play, Patriots are on 30 after a 20-yard return from Amendola.

5:46 p.m.:

Patriots down 3 points with 5:53 left to play. The Jaguars will take over on their 10 sitting on a 20-17 lead.

5:30 p.m.: 

Patriots' Danny Amendola scores a nine-yard touchdown along with an extra point conversion, bringing the score to 20-17 Jaguars.

5:18 p.m.: 

Josh Lambo's 43-yarder gives Jaguars a 20-10 lead with 14:52 left to go.

5:12 p.m.:

Jaguars lead Patriots 17-10 as the end of the third quarter nears.

Rob Gronkowski is officially out for the game with a concussion, per New England Patriots.

5:00 p.m.:

4:50 p.m.:

Gronk still sitting out the game as he undergoes concussion protocol.

4:45 p.m.:

54-yarder from Josh Lambo gives Jaguars a 17-10 lead over Patriots with 10:23 to go in third quarter.

Jaguar's Cam Robinson questionable to return with shoulder injury.

4:38 p.m: 

NE Patriots tweet an update to Gronk's concussion: "Rob Gronkowski (head) is questionable to return."

4:26 p.m.:

Jaguars lead Patriots 14-10 through first half.

Gronk suffered a heavy blow to the head from Jaguars' DB Barry Church on the Patriots' scoring dive just before halftime. He will follow concussion protocol and sit out while doctors check in on him, Patriots will likely give an update as second half starts from the locker room.

4:20 p.m.:

James White scores a one-yard touchdown! Score now 14-10 Jaguars.

4:03 p.m.:

3:54 p.m.:

Jaguars score another touchdown, converting an extra point as well. Score now 14-3 Jaguars.

3:38 p.m.:

Jaguars take the lead in the second quarter as they score a touchdown and then converted an extra point, making it 7-3 Jaguars.

3:33 p.m.: 

First quarter comes to an end, Patriots 3-0.

3:15 p.m.:

Patriots kicker Steven Gostkowski scores a field goal ten minutes into the first quarter. Patriots 3-0.

Sunday, 12:30 p.m.:

Tom Brady arrived at Gillette around 9:30 this morning. Shocking to no one, he had his right hand in his pocket.

Despite the reported hand injury that had many fans worried this week, Brady will start this afternoon.

PATS FANS GAMEDAY PHOTO GALLERY

Boston 25 anchor Heather Hegedus and sports anchor Tom Leyden were on the field early this morning for game day coverage. Tom wore his red gloves to match Brady, and expects many fans will be sporting the red glove look today as well.

Kickoff is at 3:05 at Gillette Stadium.

And don't forget, after that game - the NFC Championship game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Minnesota Vikings will take place to determine who will play the AFC Champions in the Super Bowl LII. You can catch that game on Boston 25, with pregame coverage beginning at 6:00 p.m.

The Associated Press contributed to this report

Cox Media Group

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