Fansided

Rob Gronkowski vs Jimmy Graham marks matchup of NFL’s best TEs

By Jason Marcum

Dec 30, 2012; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2012; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 30, 2012; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2012; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /

While you won’t seen many matchups between playoff contenders this week, there are some intriguing games to watch as the mid-point of the 2013 NFL season approaches.

It’s hard to argue that the most intriguing game this week isn’t the New Orleans Saints heading to New England Rob Gronkowski vs Jimmy Graham to face the Patriots. Not only  is this a matchup of Super Bowl winners from the past decade, but also the two greatest head coach/quarterback tandems in Sean Payton/Drew Brees vs Bill Belichck/Tom Brady.

Oh, and the return of All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski in front of a roaring New England crowd will also be a site to see. We’ll get a chance to see the two greatest tight ends currently in the NFL in Gronkowski and Jimmy Graham face each other for the first time in their careers.

Graham enters the game with 37 receptions for 593 yards and six touchdowns for the 5-0 Saints.

Gronkowksi’s last full season was in 2011, in which he became the first TE to lead the league in receiving touchdowns, and broke the receiving yards record by a tight end in a single-season with 1,327 yards.

Given the to teams area a combined 9-1, this could be a preview of this year’s Super Bowl.