Two of the NFL's best cornerbacks will be on the Gillette Stadium field Saturday afternoon when the New England Patriots host the Buffalo Bills in an AFC East showdown.
Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore is the leading candidate for NFL Defensive Player of the Year and coming off a two-interception performance in a Week 15 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Bills cornerback Tre'Davious White was just named AFC Defensive Player of the Week, and like Gilmore, he also tallied two interceptions in Week 15.
The motivation for White's dominance over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night actually came from a text conversation he had with Gilmore.
"He's a great player," White told reporters at his press conference Wednesday. "We exchanged numbers like two months ago. So, we text on and off here. It's cool. I texted him actually before the game Sunday, and I was like, 'Man, you got two (interceptions), I'm feeling a little motivated today.' Then, look how the football gods worked, I was able to get two picks myself. He texted me after (my) game and was like, 'You know you should've ran that back (for a touchdown).' It's a good competition. He's a good dude."
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White doesn't expect any more text conversations with Gilmore before Saturday's matchup, but he does want to swap jerseys, which has become a popular trend around the league.
"We're not going to text this week, but we'll definitely talk after the game, though," White said. "I got to get one of those jerseys. Those things are hot commodities around the NFL right now."
Gilmore and White, who were both named to the Pro Bowl on Tuesday, are tied for the league lead in interceptions with six. They also haven't allowed a single touchdown on passes thrown into their coverage.
The Patriots and Bills both rank among the best teams at defending the pass, and the elite play of Gilmore and White are primary reasons for that success. Their performances Saturday likely will play a pivotal role in the outcome of the Week 16 matchup.