James Harrison made big plays at the end to help Patriots get back in the Super Bowl

When the New England Patriots signed James Harrison several weeks ago, the popular assumption was that he’d be an asset to help them beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in the playoffs. That went out of the window after the Steelers got bounced in the Divisional Round, but Harrison still came up big in the AFC Championship.

With the Jacksonville Jaguars driving down 24-20 and less than two minutes left, Harrison made his presence felt. On a second-and-10 play at the Patriots’ 38, Harrison drilled Blake Bortles, whose fumble (though recovered by the Jaguars) essentially killed their comeback attempt.

Jacksonville failed on fourth down and New England ran out the clock, clinching a spot in Super Bowl 52. And of course, it was Harrison making a big play at the end, because this was always his destiny when New England signed him. Harrison and the Patriots will face either the Philadelphia Eagles or Minnesota Vikings in two weeks.