FOXBOROUGH - Bill Belichick was wrong.
It doesn't happen often when it comes to football, but this was one such rare occasion.
Earlier this past week, he tried to tell reporters that his team's unrivaled experience advantage over the Jaguars in big games – seven straight AFC Championships, Super Bowl appearances galore – would be irrelevant versus a young Jacksonville team unaccustomed to sharing the NFL's biggest stages.
Ultimately, that's exactly what separated the two teams. Faced with a 10-point lead in the 4th quarter, the Jaguars – who heretofore had thoroughly dominated New England – collapsed under the pressure. Meanwhile, for their opponents, it was a case of Been-There-Done-That.
The Patriots under Belichick have trailed by double digits a half-dozen times in the postseason and managed to win those games nonetheless. That kind of experience is what gives players the confidence to stay the course when all seems lost.
"Oh, it's everything," declared safety/co-captain Duron Harmon. "It really has to do with the situation we talk about weekly. Coach Belichick does a good job of… learning from previous game we had or other games, so we can know what to do in each situation. Every situation is different, but when you know how to handle each situation and prepare for each situation, it really puts you in a confident state of mind to be able to go out there and play good football."
Human nature might dictate that it's impossible to overcome such odds so late in the game. Not everyone on this current Patriots roster was around for the previous historic comeback – that 25-point turnaround in Super Bowl LI last February – but those who were could draw from that experience and exude a knowing confidence that they then shared with their teammates.
"Chemistry. Family. Believing. We're close. We're a team," remarked cornerback Malcolm Butler. "We're not individuals. We're a team. Just got to keep playing. Keep your eye off the scoreboard. Can't think like that [about losing], even though you do. We're not going to give up on each other. That's what happened tonight."
Which Jaguars would show up – the inept ones who played perhaps the worst playoff game in NFL history at home during Wild Card Weekend, or the confident bunch that played near-perfectly in Pittsburgh a week ago?
That should have been the dominant question on people's minds this past week. Instead, the discussion was entirely about Tom Brady's injured throwing hand.
Turns out, Brady's lacerated right hand wasn't New England's problem. It was Jacksonville.
TB12 didn't seem to have much trouble handling the football, as was evident on the opening drive. But the Steeler-beating Jags took control of the first half, giving their hosts a ton of discomfort on both sides of the ball.
When the Jags had it, they ran the ball effectively with rookie Leonard Fournette and T.J. Yeldon, while QB Blake Bortles found often wide open receivers and made a few tough throws to keep his team's possessions alive.
"They definitely had a game plan for us," acknowledged defensive end Trey Flowers. "We just had to adjust to it. They got us a lot early on with misdirection and different things schematically, but when it came down to it, we made the plays.
"We just had to keep fighting. It was one play at a time. We didn't worry about what happened before, we didn't worry about the score. We just continued to fight, gave our offense the ball, and they did the rest."
It took a while for that to happen, though. Brady and the Patriots O, meantime, had difficulty running against the stout Jacksonville front, which also put heat on Brady and did a good job of pass coverage throughout the first half.
Things looked particularly bleak when Jacksonville safety Barry Church knocked tight end Rob Gronkowski out of the game with a hit to the helmet that concussed New England's top offensive target.
The New England Patriots and Jacksonville Jaguars square off in the AFC Championship at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, January 21, 2018.
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady walks toward the field to warm up before the AFC championship NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady gives a shout as he takes the field to warm up before the AFC championship NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Tape covers part of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady's right hand before the AFC championship NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady warms up before the AFC championship NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) yells as he makes his way onto the field prior to an NFL AFC Championship football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018 in Foxborough, Mass. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady warms up before the AFC championship NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, left, talks to wide receiver Brandin Cooks as they warm up before the AFC championship NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, left, and entertainer Jon Bon Jovi, right, walk onto the field as the teams warm up before the AFC championship NFL football game between the Patriots and the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, left, looks at his taped right hand beside backup quarterback Brian Hoyer before the AFC championship NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady looks at his taped right hand before the AFC championship NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, left, shakes hands with Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Khan before the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, left, embraces Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Khan before the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady gives a shout as he takes the field to warm up before the AFC championship NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, left, embraces former Patriots Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Bledsoe, serving as honorary captain, before the AFC championship NFL football game between the Patriots and the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady throws a pass under pressure from Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Calais Campbell (93) during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Myles Jack, left,tackles New England Patriots running back Rex Burkhead during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) passes under pressure from Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Dante Fowler (56) and linebacker Myles Jack (44) during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey, right, tackles New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) calls a play at the line of scrimmage during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola makes a catch during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski (3) kicks a field goal during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, front, holds onto the ball as he goes down against Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Dante Fowler during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) spins away from Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Telvin Smith (50) during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, center calls signals at the line of scrimmage against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick reacts during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady pumps his fist after a touchdown run by running back James White during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, right, argues a call with referee Clete Blakeman during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) is sacked by New England Patriots defensive end Lawrence Guy (93) during the second half of the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots running back James White (28) runs against Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Myles Jack (44) to the end zone for a touchdown during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia watches from the sideline during the second half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots wide receiver Phillip Dorsett (13) makes a catch against Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Myles Jack (44) during the second half of the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) catches a touchdown pass in front of Jacksonville Jaguars safety Tashaun Gipson (39) and linebacker Paul Posluszny (51) during the second half of the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola, left, celebrates his touchdown catch with Chris Hogan, right, during the second half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) celebrates his touchdown pass to wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) during the second half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, hugs his girlfriend Linda Holliday as he talks to team owner Robert Kraft after winning the AFC championship NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots won 24-20. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots wide receiver Matthew Slater reacts during the second half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore (24) breaks up a pass intended for Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Dede Westbrook (12) during the second half of the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) talks to Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) after the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots won 24-20. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
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)
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, left, embraces quarterback Tom Brady after defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots won 24-20. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady smiles after winning the AFC championship NFL football game 24-20 over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, left, congratulates cornerback Stephon Gilmore after the AFC championship NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots won 24-20. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, front, embraces New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady after the AFC championship NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
CORRECTS BYLINE TO DAVID J. PHILLIP NOT STEVEN SENNE - New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft holds the trophy as he speaks after the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots won 24-20. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick looks on following an NFL AFC Championship football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018 in Foxborough, Mass. New England won 24-20. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, left, hand the trophy to head coach Bill Belichick after the AFC championship NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots won 24-20. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and quarterback Tom Brady (12) leave the field after winning the AFC championship NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick speaks at a news conference after the AFC championship NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots won 24-20. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady speaks at a news conference after the AFC championship NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots won 24-20. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia leaves the field after winning the AFC championship NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots won 24-20. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots defensive lineman Ricky Jean Francois walks off the field with the trophy after the AFC championship NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots won 24-20. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, center, carries the trophy between quarterback Tom Brady, left, and safety Patrick Chung as they leave the field after the AFC championship NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots won 24-20. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
"Gronk's a big part of our offense. Everybody knows that," running back Dion Lewis conceded, "but other guys stepped up."
In particular, wide receiver Danny Amendola, who, for the second straight week, led the Patriots in receiving and scored the game's final two touchdowns to complete the comeback.
"Amendola's a [expletive] animal – a [expletive] animal!" Lewis emphasized. "I'm cussing, and I don't care. He's a beast, man."
Once Amendola got going, the defense, in turn, ratcheted up the pressure on Bortles and snuffed out the Jacksonville rushing attack, which couldn't run out the clock fast enough. When Bortles tried to seal the game with long throws downfield, cornerback Stephon Gilmore – the high-priced free agent who endured copious criticism in the first part of this season – came up with two of the most important pass breakups of the year for New England. His athletic play to knock the ball away on 4th-and-15 may have been his best as a Patriot.
"He's a silent assassin. That's the best way I can describe him," Harmon said of his defensive backfield mate. "He doesn't say much, but he always has that look in his eyes, like, 'I'm good. I'm going to do my job.' It's great to have somebody like that on your team.
"He had a lot of scrutiny at the beginning of the year, but he just continued to get better. Ignored the noise, put in the extra work. It's no coincidence why he was able to make that play on 4th down."
For most of the game, the Patriots looked tired, battered, old. Jacksonville, on the other hand, looked young, spry, and voracious.
Until it mattered.
That's when the Patriots and their 40-year-old, injured quarterback dipped into their deep well of playoff experience and years of dealing with adversity.
"We believe in our quarterback. They believe in us [on offense]," added Butler.
"He just lets you know, if we get a stop [on defense], he's going to do what he needs to do on offense to make sure we're in good shape," said Harmon. "That's what he did. He kept telling us, 'Just get stops. Get us the ball back. We're going to be able to move this ball.' And that's what they were able to do."
Give Jacksonville credit. Unlike so many other good teams who've come to Gillette and wilted early, the Jaguars carried their confidence from Pittsburgh with them and played aggressively for most of the day. But clinging to a lead in the end, they knew Belichick's team would have a chance to come back, and the Jags weren't experienced enough to handle the situation.
The Patriots expected to do it, too, because they've done it so many times before. Their experience mattered. In fact, it made all the difference. As a result, they've given themselves one more chance to keep the Lombardi Trophy in New England.
