New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is Tom Brady's favorite target for a good reason.
The offensive playmaker can change a game in several ways.
Gronkowski can make highlight-reel catches, block the best edge rushers in the league and - maybe most importantly - he can act as the ultimate decoy in the passing game, forcing coverage to focus mainly on him.
The Patriots tight end will be the Jaguars' biggest challenge on defense during the AFC Championship Game on Sunday.
Some defenses have been able to slow him down. None have been able to completely eliminate his effectiveness.
Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone said Gronkowski is a player who will have success no matter what a team does to defend him.
"Hopefully, they don't throw him the football," Marrone said during his Wednesday press conference.
"Hopefully, he drops [the ball]. There's no secret formula. I'd like to watch a game where someone has been able to do it. He's going to make his plays and you hope those plays don't wind up killing you."
Gronkowski has caught 66 percent of his targets throughout his eight-year career.
He is dangerous in the open field and a nightmare for opposing teams in the red zone. Over the last four regular seasons, he has produced 34 receiving touchdowns.
"I just think [he] gets better and better," Marrone said.
"He becomes tougher and tougher and able to do more things. Like I said before, he's an elite player and he's a very productive player and he's a good guy."
The Jaguars will need to find a way to slow down Gronkowski this weekend. Whether they put one of their All-Pro cornerbacks on him or design double-team coverage, the Jaguars will have to do something to compensate for Gronkowski's threat as a receiver.
If the Jaguars can't contain Gronkowski in key moments, Jacksonville may miss out on making it to the franchise's first Super Bowl.
Follow Mike Kaye on Twitter at @Mike_E_Kaye.
