The Patriots’ trip to Arizona was a total disaster, but there was one clear bright spot for New England.
Christian Gonzalez, as he has been for the majority of the season, was terrific against the Cardinals. The budding superstar cornerback decisively won his matchup battle with talented rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., who was limited to two catches for 32 yards in Arizona’s 30-17 win.
Even with Gonzalez’s prowess as a shut-down corner growing by the week, Kyler Murray still felt comfortable targeting the second-year pro. And after one of the Oregon product’s multiple end-zone pass breakups at State Farm Stadium, Jerod Mayo sent a warning shot to the rest of the league.
“They’ll learn at some point,” Mayo told a mic’d-up Gonzalez as he returned to New England’s sideline.
It probably won’t be long until opposing quarterbacks make a concerted effort to stay away from Gonzalez. Unfortunately for the Patriots, the 2023 first-round pick is one of the few reasons to be optimistic about the future in Foxboro, Mass.
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Gonzalez and New England’s defense will have their hands full again Sunday when they visit Buffalo for a showdown with Josh Allen and the high-powered Bills.
Featured image via Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images
