Super Bowl LII: 5 candidates to take home the MVP award

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BLOOMINGTON, MN – FEBRUARY 01: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots speaks to the press during the New England Patriots Media Availability for Super Bowl LII at the Mall of America on February 1, 2018 in Bloomington, Minnesota.The New England Patriots will take on the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII on February 4. Gronkowski has been cleared to play for Sunday. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

No. 3: Tight End Rob Gronkowski, Patriots

Does anyone have the answer how the Eagles are going to cover Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski?

Anyone?

The short answer is a combination of linebacker Mychal Kendricks and safety Malcolm Jenkins, as Niner Noise broke down here in Philadelphia’s defensive game plan. But even with some of the best tight end defenders in the game today, the 6-foot-6, 252-pound Gronkowski is as big a mismatch in the NFL existing today.

Perhaps the only looming question about Gronk’s contributing abilities will be whether or not he’s fully healthy. Gronkowski has been cleared from the NFL’s concussion protocol, after suffering a head injury during the AFC Championship. He’ll play. The only question is what kind of impact he’ll have.

Assuming he’s 100 percent healthy, and the Patriots offense gets rolling, Gronkowski likely winds up having one of those games where he proves to be the difference maker for New England.

So, if another Pats player doesn’t get the award, one can almost bet Gronkowski will if the Patriots win Sunday.