Fournette carries Jaguars in thriller

LEONARD FOURNETTE’S hat-trick helped the Jacksonville Jaguars keep their Super Bowl bid alive with a pulsating 45-42 upset win against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The rookie running back battled an ankle injury and rushed for 109 yards while maligned quarterback Blake Bortles defied the Steelers defence when it counted. Leading 28-14 at half-time, the Jags held off a spirited comeback from the Steelers, led by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. In a trademark all-action display, the twotime Super Bowl winner threw for 469 yards, five touchdowns and an interception, but it was not enough as the Jags won in Pittsburgh for the second time this season. It sets up a trip to New England on Sunday to face the defending champions. The Patriots reached their seventh straight AFC title game after beating the Tennessee Titans 35-14. The Philadelphia Eagles, No 1 seed in the NFC, eliminated the Atlanta Falcons with a 15-10 victory. The Eagles host the NFC title game on Sunday and will face the Minnesota Vikings or New Orleans Saints, who faced off in Minneapolis last night.