New England Patriots: 5 defensive players to watch vs L.A. Chargers

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 30: Dont'a Hightower #54 of the New England Patriots talks with Devin McCourty #32 during the game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

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New England Patriots (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) /

Stephon Gilmore

Going up against Keenan Allen, Stephon Gilmore is going to have to have an All-Pro game.

This season, Gilmore has established himself as the New England Patriots shutdown corner and perhaps one of the top cornerbacks in all of the NFL. That doesn’t mean Philip Rivers won’t challenge him.

Like Bill Belichick has done in the past with high-caliber cornerbacks like Aqib Talib and Darrelle Revis is take away one side of the field with man coverage and allow the rest of his defense to defend the other players.

That’s why solid play from Gilmore will be essential in this game. If he allows the Rivers to Allen connection to get going, it will change Belichick’s approach the rest of the game. If they have to double Keenan Allen, that will open up things for the rest of the Chargers offensive weapons.

This game is where Stephon Gilmore will prove his worth as a $60-plus million-dollar cornerback.

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