PHILADELPHIA -- The Minnesota Vikings have been good to Alshon Jeffery over the years, but he has not returned the favor.

A divisional foe during his time with the Chicago Bears, Jeffery has 45 catches for 685 yards and seven touchdowns in nine games against Minnesota, all career highs versus a single opponent. His best outing as a pro came at the expense of the Vikings, as he hung 12 catches for 249 yards and two touchdowns on them back in 2013.

He left an impression. Jeffery confirmed after Philadelphia Eagles practice Thursday that the Vikings were one of the teams in the running for his services this past offseason, and he didn't deny that they offered him a multiyear deal in free agency. He ended up signing a one-year contract with the Eagles instead.

"I just felt the best opportunity was here for me, in Philly," said Jeffery, who agreed to a new four-year deal with the Eagles in December.

Fast-forward 10 months, and Jeffery is now a central figure in an NFC title game featuring two of his offseason suitors, with a chance to validate both his decision and Philadelphia's.

But Jeffery knows he has his hands full with one of the best corners in the league in Xavier Rhodes. While his track record against Minnesota is strong, it's been no walk in the park when locking up with Rhodes. The two have more or less fought to a draw to this point.

"I've gone back and looked at that matchup in particular just to see the battle that went on and the types of things that Alshon did against him, and the coverage technique that he used," Eagles coach Doug Pederson said. "Does it apply to this game? Maybe a little bit. I think Alshon's a better player. I think he's [Rhodes] a much better player, obviously, and he's playing with a lot of confidence. It's going to be another great matchup again Sunday evening."

Jeffery (6-foot-3, 218 pounds) is typically able to out-physical defensive backs, but that's no easy task against the 6-foot-1, 218-pound Rhodes. A first-round pick out of Florida State in 2013, the 27-year-old Rhodes finished the season with two interceptions, 10 passes defensed and 56 tackles en route to his second consecutive Pro Bowl.

"We've had some good battles. He's a great competitor. We like to compete against one another," Jeffery said. "Strong, physical, long arms. It's going to be a challenge, but I look forward to it."

Jeffery led all Eagles receivers with four catches for 61 yards in a divisional-round win over the Atlanta Falcons, evidence that he's beginning to sync up better with backup quarterback Nick Foles. Saturday was his first taste of playoff football in his six-year career, and he wants to keep this ride going by any means necessary.

"I'm trying to get a win -- that's all that matters," said Jeffery, who finished with 57 catches for 789 yards and nine touchdowns for an Eagles offense that likes to spread the ball around. "I could care less about the stats."