The New England Patriots lost 45-27 to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, as cornerback Christian Gonzalez struggled during the game.
The Packers scored the most points by a visiting team in the history of Gillette Stadium, with wide receivers Matthew Golden and Christian Watson combining for 17 receptions, 335 yards, and two touchdowns, much of which came against Gonzalez.
NextGen Stats indicate that Golden recorded seven receptions for 105 yards with Gonzalez in coverage, while Watson had three catches for 82 yards against the same defender. When throwing Gonzalez’s way, Jordan Love completed 10 of his 11 passes for 187 yards and a touchdown, demolishing the cornerback’s previous career-worst allowance of 74 yards.
NextGen Stats indicate that Golden recorded seven receptions for 105 yards with Gonzalez in coverage, while Watson had three catches for 82 yards against the same defender. When throwing Gonzalez’s way, Jordan Love completed 10 of his 11 passes for 187 yards and a touchdown, demolishing the cornerback’s previous career-worst allowance of 74 yards.
Some stats on Patriots CB Christian Gonzalez: – Today: 10/11, 187 yards, TD, PBU – Previous high yards allowed was 74 – Weeks 1-3: 6/17, 38 yards, 0 TDs, 4 PBUs – Weeks 6-9: 20/23, 324 yards, 1 TD, 1 PBU https://t.co/1TCqagxoG5
After the game, Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel delivered a blunt assessment of Gonzalez’s performance. When your best players don’t play good, you don’t have much of a chance in this league,
Vrabel said.
So, we expect a lot more. He expects a lot more. We need more from him and everybody else. It wasn’t just him.
Vrabel also took some responsibility, stating that a lack of preparedness by the defense starts with me.
The performance was a stark contrast for Gonzalez, who signed a four-year, $135 million extension in September, making him the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history. His struggles were particularly evident when compared to his earlier season performance. During Weeks 1-3, Gonzalez allowed 38 yards on 17 targets, but in Weeks 6-9, he gave up 324 yards on 23 targets.
Gonzalez addressed his difficult day after the game, stating that he is not letting the performance affect him. It’s not the end of the world,
Gonzalez said.
I had a bad game, so I mean, I’m not shaken up by it. I’m not too worried about it. I’ll move on and be ready next week.
The Patriots will face the Lions in Munich next weekend, where they will need a better performance from their top-paid defender. Source: Sporting News
