Christian Gonzalez’s dominance has been lone bright spot on Patriots’ defense this year
"That’s what it is as a corner. You want them to throw your way."
The Patriots’ defense has severely regressed in 2024.
Entering Week 14 with the 21st-ranked defense at 23.6 points allowed per game, things continued to erode for the Patriots in Sunday’s 30-17 loss to the Cardinals.
New England relinquished 395 total yards to the Cardinals, including 163 rushing yards. While the Patriots offense didn’t move the chains on six third-down opportunities, the Cardinals went 10-for-15 on third-down chances.
It was a lopsided loss for New England, with a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns from Drake Maye creating the illusion that Sunday’s result was slightly competitive.
But the Patriots’ latest loss could have devolved into an even greater blowout defeat had it not been for the one silver lining on New England’s defense: second-year cornerback Christian Gonzalez.
On a Patriots’ defense marred by several underperforming veterans and a dearth of proven playmakers, Gonzalez has been a magic eraser when it comes to taking away opposing teams’ top pass-catchers in 2024.
The 2023 first-round pick (No. 17 overall) has already shut down several top receivers this season — winning head-to-head matchups against the likes of Ja’Marr Chase, Garrett Wilson, and Tyreek Hill.
Entering Sunday’s game at State Farm Stadium, Gonzalez allowed a 71.8 passer rating and 56.8% when targeted, according to the Boston Herald’s Andrew Callahan.
Sunday marked the test for Gonzlaez against Arizona’s top wideout: 2024 first-round pick (No. 4 overall) Marvin Harrison Jr.
Harrison — taken one pick after New England selected Maye — has put together a strong rookie campaign for the Cardinals with seven touchdowns on the year.
But against Gonzalez, Arizona’s top pass-catcher largely found himself stuck in the mud.
According to Patriots.com’s Evan Lazar, Gonzalez shadowed Harrison on 21 routes Sunday — with Harrison only reeling in one catch for 23 yards off of five targets with three pass breakups.
Two of those pass breakups directly took eight points off the board for Arizona, as Gonzalez negated a pair of Cardinals touchdowns by knocking the ball loose from Harrison in the end zone during both the second and third quarters.
“I invite it,” Gonzalez said of Arizona QB Kyler Murray targeting Harrison Jr. in the end zone. “That’s what it is as a corner. You want them to throw your way. You want to be able to make plays for your team. When they throw it, try to make the plays that come your way.”
On both breakups — which came on third-down plays — the Cardinals had to settle for field goals off the leg of Chad Ryland.
Gonzalez’s plays against Harrison were not enough to shift New England’s fortunes in Glendale, but it once again validated that the second-year corner is one of the few foundational pieces worth building around in Foxborough.
Even with Gonzalez’s latest lockdown performance against a talented receiver, the former Oregon Duck wasn’t focusing much on his individual play after yet another loss.
“I ain’t really worried about it,” Gonzalez said of his play performance. “I want to win. Whatever the personal stats are, it is what it is, but I want to win.”
If New England is looking to draw any semblance of positives out of this season, it revolves around the promise showcased by both Gonzalez on defense and Maye on the offensive side of the ball.
A franchise QB and a lockdown corner are two key pieces to the puzzle if New England hopes to build a competitive roster in the near future.
But as Sunday’s loss showcased, New England will need far more than just strong performances from Gonzalez and Maye (19-for-23, 202 passing yards, one touchdown) if it wants to get back in the win column.
“I mean, it hurts, but we just got to work,” Gonzalez said of moving forward. “I mean, it is what it is. And there’s nothing more that we can do than work. I mean nobody really cares. We just got to work harder. So get back in the building and correct this game and get ready for the Bills.”
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