FOXBORO, Mass. — New England Patriots cornerback Darrelle Revis has faced some new challenges this season, but he’ll match up against a familiar foe Sunday when the Chicago Bears come to town.
Brandon Marshall has lined up across from Revis on four separate occasions, but the cornerback has bested the 6-foot-4, 230-pound Bears receiver. Revis has allowed just nine receptions on 23 targets for 112 yards without a touchdown, according to Pro Football Focus, for a 36.9 passer rating. Revis also has an interception and seven deflected passes against Marshall.
However, Revis had nothing but praise for the ninth-year veteran when asked about him Wednesday in the Patriots’ locker room.
“Great receiver, man. This week, we got our hands full with two big wide receivers, with him and (Alshon) Jeffery, and we’re looking forward to it,” Revis said. “I’m sure that he is, too. I know Brandon personally, and it’s football, man. We compete, and that’s what we do for a living. We’ve had our battles in the past, and it’s great. This week is going to be great.”
Revis has followed Miami’s Mike Wallace, Minnesota’s Greg Jennings, Cincinnati’s A.J. Green, Buffalo’s Sammy Watkins and the New York Jets’ Eric Decker this season with varying results. Revis has allowed 18 catches on 32 targets for 263 yards and one touchdown, with one interception and two pass breakups.
One would assume that Revis would follow Marshall, who has 31 catches for 349 yards with five touchdowns this season, on Sunday, since they have a history with each other, allowing Brandon Browner and Alfonzo Dennard to battle Alshon Jeffery.
Revis certainly recognizes Marshall’s strengths.
“One, he’s smart,” Revis said. “He’s big. I don’t know — he’s probably about 6-4 or something. He’s very physical at the line, a possession-type receiver but can go deep as well, and run after catches, too. The guy has taken hitches 60, 70, 80 yards. We know what type of players they are, and we respect them a lot, and we know how explosive they are in the passing game. We’re going to have to be able to stop that.”
Revis truly will have to be an island Sunday. The Patriots’ secondary will be forced to cover longer with star pass rusher Chandler Jones reportedly likely to miss one month with a hip injury.
Photo via Ed Mulholland/USA TODAY Sports Images
