Patriots
“That’s it as a corner. You want them to throw to you.”
Christian Gonzalez broke up two potential touchdowns to Marvin Harrison Jr. on Sunday. (Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe team)
The Patriots defense declined significantly in 2024.
Entering Week 14 with a defense ranked 21st with 23.6 points allowed per game, things continued to deteriorate for the Patriots in Sunday’s 30-17 loss to the Cardinals.
New England gave up 395 total yards to the Cardinals, including 163 yards rushing. While the Patriots offense didn’t move the chains on six third-down opportunities, the Cardinals went 10 of 15 on third-down opportunities.
It was a lopsided loss for New England, with two fourth-quarter Drake Maye touchdowns creating the illusion that Sunday’s result was marginally competitive.
But the Patriots’ latest loss could have turned into an even bigger blowout defeat without the one bright side of New England’s defense: second-year cornerback Christian Gonzalez.
On a Patriots defense blighted by several underperforming veterans and a dearth of proven playmakers, Gonzalez has been a magic eraser when it comes to eliminating opposing teams’ best pass catchers in 2024.
The 2023 first-round pick (No. 17 overall) has already taken down several top receivers this season – winning head-to-head matchups against Ja’Marr Chase, Garrett Wilson and Tyreek Hill.
Before Sunday’s game at State Farm Stadium, Gonzalez allowed a 71.8 passer rating and 56.8 percent when targeted, according to the The Boston Herald Andrew Callahan.
Sunday marked the test for Gonzlaez against Arizona’s best player: 2024 first-round pick (No. 4 overall) Marvin Harrison Jr.
Harrison – chosen after New England selected Maye – put together a solid rookie campaign for the Cardinals with seven touchdowns this year.
But against Gonzalez, Arizona’s best passer largely found himself stuck in the mud.
According to Evan Lazar of Patriots.com, Gonzalez followed Harrison on 21 routes on Sunday – with Harrison having just one catch for 23 yards on five targets with three pass breakups.
Two of those passes directly took eight points away from Arizona, as Gonzalez nullified two Cardinals touchdowns by knocking back Harrison’s ball in the end zone during the second and third quarters.
“I invite it,” Gonzalez said of Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray targeting Harrison Jr. in the end zone. “That’s what a corner is. You want them to throw themselves your way. You want to be able to make plays for your team. When they run it, try to make the plays that work for you.
On both snaps — which occurred on third-down plays — the Cardinals had to settle for field goals off the leg of Chad Ryland.
Gonzalez’s plays against Harrison weren’t enough to swing New England’s fortunes in Glendale, but it once again confirmed that the second-year corner is one of the few fundamental pieces worth investing in. be built in Foxborough.
Even with Gonzalez’s latest performance against a talented receiver, the former Oregon Duck wasn’t focusing much on his individual game after yet another loss.
“It doesn’t really worry me,” Gonzalez said of his game performance. “I want to win. Whatever the personal statistics are, that’s how it is, but I want to win.
If New England is looking to take any semblance of a positive from this season, it revolves around the promise presented by both Gonzalez on defense and Maye on the offensive side of the ball.
A franchise QB and a lock down corner are two key pieces of the puzzle if New England hopes to build a competitive roster in the near future.
But as Sunday’s loss showed, New England will need much more than strong performances from Gonzalez and Maye (19 for 23, 202 passing yards, one touchdown) if it wants to get back into the scoring column. victories.
“I mean, it hurts, but we just got to work,” Gonzalez said of moving forward. “I mean, that’s how it is. And we can’t do anything more than work. I mean, no one really cares. We just have to work harder. So get back in the building, fix that play, and get ready for the Bills.
Sign up for Patriots updates🏈
Get the latest news and analysis delivered to your inbox this football season.
