THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
JACKSONVILLE - Jaguars rookie safety Reggie Nelson grew up watching Randy Moss, idolizing his speed, athleticism and play-making ability.
Nelson even imagined how he would fare against the six-time Pro Bowl receiver.
He'll find out Saturday night, when undefeated New England hosts Jacksonville in an AFC divisional playoff game.
"I can't get caught up in his fame, thinking 'This is Randy Moss over here,'" Nelson said. "I look at him as just another player."
The Jaguars believe Nelson, fellow safety Sammy Knight and cornerbacks Rashean Mathis, Brian Williams and Terry Cousin have the toughest matchup of the game: defending Moss, Wes Welker, Donte' Stallworth and Jabar Gaffney.
It could be the key to determining who advances to the AFC championship game.
"We have to hold up on the back end," Mathis said. "This is the type of challenge that we, as defensive backs, live for. We're definitely going to earn our paychecks this week."
Jacksonville's secondary struggled early in the season, giving up way too many big plays and costing the team games against Indianapolis and New Orleans.
Nelson was the main victim, getting beat on double moves or burned by experienced quarterbacks who could get him to bite on underneath routes. He's played much better down the stretch, and - not coincidentally - so has the defense.
The Jaguars allowed 127 yards passing a game over the final four weeks of the regular season. They looked like they would have similar success against Pittsburgh in the first round of the playoffs last week.
Mathis intercepted two passes from Ben Roethlisberger in the second quarter, returning one for a touchdown. But Roethlisberger found a rhythm in the second half and finished with 337 yards passing and three touchdowns, helping the Steelers overcome an 18-point deficit before losing 31-29.
The Jaguars expect the Patriots to attack them the same way, much like Peyton Manning (twice) and Drew Brees did earlier in the season.
"If they want to pick on me, it's up to them to see what it's like," Nelson said. "I'm up for the challenge. If they want to do that, they can throw my way."
