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Super Bowl LIII will feature a number of intriguing matchups between the Los Angeles Rams and New England Patriots. Among the more notable will be the showdown between cornerback Stephon Gilmore and wide receiver Brandin Cooks.
Following New England's win over the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game, Gilmore immediately acknowledged his upcoming showdown with Cooks. According to Zack Cox of NESN, he is looking forward to playing against his former teammate:
“It’ll be fun,” Gilmore said. “I’m excited for him, but on the field, it’s all business. But it’s going to be a fun experience.”
Gilmore's excitement is certainly understandable. The two joined the Patriots at the same time prior to the 2017 NFL season. It is safe to assume that they had their fair share of battles during their lone season together.
The two enjoyed plenty of success together in New England. Cooks registered 65 catches for 1,082 yards and seven touchdowns en route to a Super Bowl appearance. Despite a strong year with the Patriots, they ultimately decided to trade Cooks to Los Angeles in exchange for a first-round pick this offseason. Meanwhile, Gilmore had been rewarded with a lucrative extension upon joining the team to begin with.
Cooks has managed to kick things up a notch this season after hauling in 80 catches for a career-high 1,204 yards and five touchdowns. More importantly, he has maintained his high level of play in the postseason with 11 receptions for 172 yards in two games.
Although Gilmore will undoubtedly see a good dosage of Cooks, it remains to be seen if he will shadow him the whole game due to the fact that the Rams have another bonafide wideout in Robert Woods.
