The New England Patriots have a growing shutdown cornerback. The Los Angeles Rams have two premier broad receivers. That made it a logical transfer to have Christian Gonzalez shadow both Cooper Kupp or Puka Nacua on Sunday.
However the Patriots didn’t make the most of their standout nook in that style.
As an alternative, Gonzalez completely patrolled the boundary on one facet of the sphere whereas Kupp and Nacua ran wild on the opposite facet. The duo mixed for 13 catches for 239 yards and three touchdowns to spearhead a 28-22 win for the Rams over the Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
It was a head-scratching transfer by Jerod Mayo to deploy Gonzalez that method and the coach didn’t give a lot readability after the sport about his expensive resolution.
“Look, Kupp had the one reception which was an enormous chunk of these yards,” Mayo informed reporters, per team-provided video. “Look, going into the sport, we’ve got a plan, and we’re all the time keen to vary that look. Like I mentioned earlier, I felt like we have been going to be OK. I assumed we may outlast them.”
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Kupp had a momentum-changing play 50 seconds into the third quarter when he beat Jonathan Jones on a 69-yard landing reception. The Patriots had Gonzalez cowl Demarcus Robinson on the play since Kupp, who completed with six receptions for 106 yards and two scores, lined up within the slot.
When Gonzalez did discover himself matched up on both Kupp or Nacua, he held his personal. However Rams head coach Sean McVay made positive that wasn’t an everyday incidence.
“I seen them each time they have been on my facet,” Gonzalez informed reporters, per team-provided video. “Such as you mentioned, I used to be enjoying the boundary this recreation. So, I can’t actually deal with the opposite facet. I bought to deal with the individual in entrance of me and simply make the performs I bought to make.”
Gonzalez may have doubtlessly made a much bigger distinction in a good recreation if given extra of an opportunity to battle Kupp or Nacua. However he didn’t let his feelings present about not being afforded that chance.
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“The coaches got here in and informed me what the sport plan was,” Gonzalez mentioned. “I by no means have a look at it as stunned or upset or something. I’m doing what they need me to do. No matter they inform me to do, I’m going to go on the market and do my greatest to do.”