KANSAS CITY – Stephon Gilmore spent all week studying Chiefs wide receiver Sammy Watkins – his assignment for the AFC Championship game. When the coaching staff approached him after halftime and asked him to move and cover All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce, the Patriots cornerback didn’t hesitate.

“Hell yeah,” Gilmore said to the coaching staff.

The Patriots All-Pro cornerback spent all season shutting down opposing No. 1 receivers. This season marked a career-year for Gilmore. In the Patriots AFC Championship game win over Kansas City, he added to his story.

Kelce finished the game with three catches for 23 yards and a touchdown. After his third quarter score, he was held without a catch when the coaching staff put Gilmore on him. For the cornerback, it wasn’t even a big challenge.

“I was just able to adjust. It’s easier because I’m used to covering fast guys,” Gilmore said. “He’s not really fast. It’s easier for me.”

The Patriots had rookie J.C. Jackson on Kelce to start, but moved the corner on Watkins after he allowed a 12-yard touchdown at 12:56 of the third quarter. This season, Kelce was a monster. He caught 103 passes for 1,336 yards and 10 touchdowns.

“He likes to push off a lot. Probably use my feet a lot more and beat him to the spot because he wants you to get physical with him. I wouldn’t allow that,” Gilmore said. “You got to be able to adjust during the game. You never know who’s going to be hot at the time. I did it. It was good for us.”

Gilmore has been a big addition to the Patriots secondary. Now, he’s headed to his second-straight Super Bowl with the Patriots. After losing to Philadelphia last season, Gilmore hopes for a better trip this time around.

“I don’t want to feel like that again,” Gilmore said. “To go that far and come up short, I want to win.”