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10 Reasons Why You Should Watch 2015 AFC Championship Game

10 Reasons Why You Should Watch 2015 AFC Championship Game

AFC Championship Game
Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports

The Patriots defeated the Ravens due to some timely defense and a phenomenal performance by Tom Brady. The Colts, who were the only road (and underdog) team to win a Divisional Round game, beat the Broncos on Sunday. The two teams will face off at 6:40 p.m. ET on CBS this Sunday in the AFC Championship game. Here are 10 reasons why you should watch this game. Hint: having to listen to Jim Nantz and Phil Simms is not one of the reasons.

10. To See If WR Danny Amendola Can Pick Up Where He Left Off Against Ravens

AFC Championship Game
Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

10. To See If WR Danny Amendola Can Pick Up Where He Left Off Against Ravens

AFC Championship Game
Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Amendola was brought in as a free agent in 2013 to be Wes Welker’s replacement. But his time with the Patriots has been disappointing for the most part. Much of that has been due to injuries, and everyone knew he was injury prone before he joined the Patriots. Regardless, he hasn’t lived up to his contract, but he had five catches for 81 yards and two key TDs against the Ravens. Can he keep that up against the Colts?

9. Darrelle Revis vs. T.Y. Hilton

AFC Championship Game
Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports

9. Darrelle Revis vs. T.Y. Hilton

AFC Championship Game
Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports

Revis was a fantastic free agent signing, and he has played extremely well this season. He more than likely he will be locked on Hilton on Sunday. The Colts receiver finished the regular season with 1,345 receiving yards on 82 receptions, and he had seven receiving TDs. Revis and Hilton battling is reason enough to watch on Sunday.

8. Andrew Luck

AFC Championship Game
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

8. Andrew Luck

AFC Championship Game
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Luck is one of the most talented and intelligent QBs in the NFL, but he has been less than stellar against the Patriots. Luck is 0-3 against the Patriots with eight INTs in those three games. He needs some help from the Colts' ground game, and he must play better on Sunday. Tune in to see if Luck can take the next step and get his first win against the Patriots while, taking the Colts to their first Super Bowl in the post-Peyton era.

7. Tom Brady

AFC Championship Game
Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

7. Tom Brady

AFC Championship Game
Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Brady was fantastic against the Ravens, throwing for 367 yards and three TDs on 50 attempts. Besides Brady’s six rushes, the Patriots rushed for 14 yards on seven carries. There was virtually no rushing attack and he had to put the Patriots offense on his back. Brady has been great throughout his career and he proved it again on Saturday night. Seeing how Brady plays, and if he gets any help, makes this game must-see TV.

6. To See If Either Team Can Run the Ball

AFC Championship Game
Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

6. To See If Either Team Can Run the Ball

AFC Championship Game
Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

There have been games where the Patriots’ rushing attack was lacking, including against the Ravens. But in the Patriots' last game against the Colts, Jonas Gray went off for 201 yards on 37 carries and had four TDs. When the Colts traded for Trent Richardson, it looked like a good pickup, but he hasn’t really panned out, and Luck has had to deal with a less-than-stellar running game. Will the RBs be a factor, or will it be all about the QBs?

5. The Trickery Belichick and the Patriots May Use

AFC Championship Game
Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

5. The Trickery Belichick and the Patriots May Use

AFC Championship Game
Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Belichick usually has something up his sleeve as he did for the Ravens. Whether it was the Patriots’ substitution “trick” or the lateral to WR Julian Edelman, who threw a TD pass to Danny Amendola, the Patriots always have a little something planned for big games. Fans should expect nothing less on Sunday. If trickery or something unconventional, is needed, the Patriots will have it ready.

4. To See If TE Rob Gronkowski Remains Healthy

AFC Championship Game
Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

4. To See If TE Rob Gronkowski Remains Healthy

AFC Championship Game
Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Gronk’s importance to the Patriots' offense cannot be understated, yet the Patriots have not had the luxury of an entire postseason with Gronk in the lineup. He has either played hurt or he’s missed the playoffs entirely due to injuries. If the Patriots reach the Super Bowl in Arizona, having a healthy Gronk will be key to beating either the Packers or Seahawks. Plus, it’s just plain fun to watch him play football.

3. Colts Could Possibly Defeat Brady and Peyton In Same Postseason

AFC Championship Game
Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

3. Colts Could Possibly Defeat Brady and Peyton In Same Postseason

AFC Championship Game
Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Peyton Manning might not exactly look like this old self and he may own the record for most postseason losses of any QB, but he’s still one of the greatest QBs of all time. Brady may very well be the best QB of all time. Knocking off Peyton and Brady-led teams in the same postseason is a tall order, but the last team to do it, the Ravens in 2012, went on to win it all. Can Luck achieve the same feat and get his first win against the Patriots?

2. The Polarizing Nature of the Patriots

AFC Championship Game
Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

2. The Polarizing Nature of the Patriots

AFC Championship Game
Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

When it comes to the Patriots, you either love them or loathe them. New England fans will argue that Spygate should not tarnish Brady or Bill Belichick’s legacy. Haters point out that they haven’t won a Super Bowl post Spygate, forgetting that this is the Patriots’ fourth straight AFC Championship game. When viewers tune in Sunday, they will be rooting with everything they have — for the Patriots to win or them to lose.

1. Game Could Possibly Come Down To Adam Vinatieri FG Attempt

AFC Championship Game
Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

1. Game Could Possibly Come Down To Adam Vinatieri FG Attempt

AFC Championship Game
Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

He played in four Super Bowls in 10 seasons with the Patriots and kicked monumental FGs to help them defeat the Rams and Panthers in Super Bowl XXXVI and XXXVIII. He was also successful in many other big-time FG attempts. He has spent the last nine seasons with Indy and played in two more Super Bowls, adding one more ring. Patriots fans still love Vinatieri, but they do not want the game to be decided by his foot.

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