The defense that kept the New England Patriots in games last season is no longer there.
But Christian Gonzalez is. The 22-year-old cornerback has continued to make a difference in defeat. He did so again Sunday afternoon on the way to a 30-17 loss versus the Arizona Cardinals.
“He’s our best player on defense, and he proved that yesterday,” Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo told reporters during his Monday video conference. “Just a guy that goes out there and competes on a down-after-down basis, and he did a good job for us yesterday.”
Marvin Harrison Jr. marked the latest assignment. The rookie wide receiver out of Ohio State found himself shadowed early and often at State Farm Stadium. And while a mesh concept on the opening drive created traffic as well as a gain of 23 yards across middle, only one catch not negated by penalty followed. But not versus No. 0.
“He’s a great receiver and that’s their guy, so they are going to go to him,” Gonzalez said of Harrison during his postgame press conference. “I told him after the game he’s the truth. He has all the tools to be really good. It was a fun matchup. I had fun and maybe we’ll see each other again.”
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray completed 76.6% of his passes on Sunday. The former Heisman Trophy winner sent five passes into that particular matchup. The next four between the 6-foot-4, 205-pound wideout and 6-foot-1, 205-pound corner fell to the grass.
There would be a diving incompletion on a wheel route down the left sideline to force the punt team on. There would also be chases to the right side of the end zone. But with 36 seconds and 25 seconds to go prior to halftime, respectively, those chases saw Arizona settle for a field goal. That result remained the same with 9:17 left in the third quarter.
A third-and-6, first-and-10, third-and-6 and third-and-5 all went in the win column for Gonzalez, who broke up a trio of throws and saved touchdowns in the process. His only other reception allowed, per the charting of Pro Football Focus, landed in the hands of James Conner on a day the veteran running back scored twice and eclipsed the century mark on the ground.
“I invite it,” Gonzalez said of having his coverage tested 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 the team. When they throw it, you try to make the plays that come your way.”
Selected in the first round of the 2023 draft at No. 17 overall, Gonzalez’s rookie season ended on injured reserve due to shoulder surgery as the calendar turned to October. The past transfer from Colorado to Oregon started all four games and stayed in for every defensive snap prior to suffering a torn labrum. Facing off with the receiving likes of DeVonta Smith, A.J. Brown, Jaylen Waddle, Tyreek Hill, Garrett Wilson and CeeDee Lamb, his first career sack and first career interception were earned. NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month honors, too.
Now a Pro Bowl candidate, Gonzalez has started every game this campaign for the 3-11 Patriots. He has played 98% of the defensive snaps, leading a regressed unit that stands with only 27 sacks and 11 takeaways while allowing 7.4 yards per pass attempt, 4.4 yards per rush attempt and 24.1 points per game.
Along the way have arrived 57 tackles to go with two interceptions and a fumble recovery that became 63 return yards and a touchdown.
“I’m not really worried about it,” Gonzalez said of his individual performance as New England lost its fourth in a row. “I want to win, so whatever the personal stats are, it is what it is. I want to win.”
The AFC East champion Buffalo Bills await. Next Sunday’s kickoff at Highmark Stadium is set for 4:25 p.m. ET.
