Each day leading up to Super Bowl LII, we're going to take a look at a key matchup between the Eagles and the New England Patriots.
Today, it's wide receiver Alshon Jeffery vs. cornerback Stephon Gilmore.
These two players battled on the practice field as teammates at South Carolina. Both are good friends. They were roommates in college and Jeffery served as a groomsman in Gilmore's wedding.
Jeffery and Gilmore left the teams that drafted them last offseason to sign with new squads hoping to earn a Super Bowl ring.
One player will fulfill that dream come Sunday.
The 6-3, 218-pound Jeffery had six touchdowns in the final two months of the regular season and has carried that success into the playoffs with nine catches for 146 yards and two more scores. Quarterback Nick Foles had a perfect passer rating when throwing to Jeffery in the NFC Championship Game.
What makes Jeffery so dangerous is that he can win in the red zone and provide explosive plays.
The Patriots have struggled to cover taller receivers this season. Fourteen of the 24 receiving touchdowns allowed were by players 6-3 or taller to go along with an average of nearly nine catches and over 102 yards per game.
Gilmore, who came to New England after five years in Buffalo, is likely to shadow Jeffery to avoid the wide receiver going against the 5-11, 190-pound Malcolm Butler. The 6-1, 190-pound Gilmore has held receivers to no more than five catches and 70 yards in nine games where he's shadowed an opponent.
The friend who emerges victorious in this matchup could very well be holding the Lombardi Trophy for the first time Sunday night.
Check out the sights from Opening Night at Super Bowl LII.
The Philadelphia Eagles players walk out on stage during Super Bowl Opening Night.
RB LeGarrette Blount takes a selfie.
CB Jalen Mills takes a selfie while on stage at Super Bowl Opening Night.
DE Vinny Curry takes a selfie.
QB Nick Foles during his session with the media.
DE Brandon Graham smiles during his time with the media.
Head coach Doug Pederson.
WR Alshon Jeffery.
DE Vinny Curry.
QB Nick Foles.
RB LeGarrette Blount speaks to the media.
A look at RB Corey Clement through the lens of a camera.
OT Jason Peters speaks to the media.
Offensive coordinator Frank Reich.
CB Ronald Darby has a laugh during an interview.
QB Nick Foles.
WR Torrey Smith.
RB LeGarrette Blount surrounded by media during Opening Night.
C Jason Kelce.
Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie.
Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie.
LB Jordan Hicks.
TE Zach Ertz shares a laugh with NFL Network analyst Michael Irvin.
DT and Minnesota native Beau Allen.
OT Lane Johnson.
TE Brent Celek.
DT Fletcher Cox answers a question fron NFL Network analyst Deion Sanders.
Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.
Head coach Doug Pederson.
