File Under: EXTREME MEAT SWEATS!!

Here's New England Patriots defensive end Jabaal Sheard lining up in front of a 2 POUND monster steak Tuesday -- in what may have been the most delicious charity challenge of his career.

Sheard hit up Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill in Tyngsboro, Massachusetts (about an hour from Gillette Stadium) -- where owners offered to give $4,000 to charity if he could finish the whole thing!

We're told people in the restaurant were so pumped -- several customers added to the pot ... which totaled $5,200!

The good news? SHEARD CRUSHED IT ... devouring the entire Flintston chop in 50 minutes!