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Super Bowl LII: Breaking down the top 5 matchups to watch

By Jay Marsdale

FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 06: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots communicates at the line of scrimmage during the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Gillette Stadium on December 6, 2015 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 06: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots communicates at the line of scrimmage during the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Gillette Stadium on December 6, 2015 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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FOXBOROUGH, MA – JANUARY 21: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots wamrs up before the AFC Championship Game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Gillette Stadium on January 21, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA – JANUARY 21: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots wamrs up before the AFC Championship Game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Gillette Stadium on January 21, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

No. 3: S Malcolm Jenkins (PHI) vs. TE Rob Gronkowski (NE)

I want to start this off by saying, no one can cover a healthy Rob Gronkowski one on one.

If anyone on the Eagles has a chance to do so, it is safety Malcolm Jenkins. He is the leader of this defense and will have the biggest challenge awaiting him in Super Bowl LII.

Gronkowski has revolutionized the tight end position in the NFL. Every team is looking for “the next Gronk.” His ability to both block well as a tight end, and still be the best receiver on the team, is unprecedented. It obviously doesn’t hurt him to have Tom Brady throwing him the football, but Gronkowski is a star regardless.

Jenkins is both the physical and emotional leader of this Eagles defensive unit. He has taken every tough assignment and put up big numbers all season. Jenkins is usually the man tasked with covering the opponents’ biggest threats. Jenkins plays physical enough to disrupt Gronkowski’s timing with Brady, and he’s still quick enough to keep up with him on longer routes.

The Patriots are always the team that is thought to “take away what the other team does best.” Well that is what Jenkins is going to attempt to do against the Patriots this weekend. If Jenkins can slow down Gronkowski and make other receivers beat them, than the Eagles have a chance in this game.