The New England Patriots took an embarrassing 45-27 defeat against the Green Bay Packers Sunday. Which even saw the Patriots hit historic new lows right in front of revered franchise legend Tom Brady. Unfortunately star cornerback Christian Gonzalez fell on the wrong end of those low marks multiple times.
Green Bay's 45 points now becomes the highest number of points surrendered at Gillette Stadium. Gonzalez made this clear, blunt admission afterward.
“They got the best of me today…I had a bad game,” Gonzalez said, via ESPN Patriots insider Mike Reiss. “Obviously, it’s frustrating…but it’s football. I’m going to have a bad game.”
How bad did it become for the 2025 AFC champion defender? Boston radio personality Alex Barth shared some telling stats via Pro Football Focus: Gonzalez got targeted 11 times, allowing 10 catches. He allowed 40 yards a catch as receivers racked up 187 yards facing him. Gonzalez swatted the ball just once, while allowing one touchdown.
“The defense is counting on me to hold down the backside, hold down everything else just like we have been. Obviously, we didn’t and they did a better job,” Gonzalez added in his postgame presser.
Packers quarterback Jordan Love lit the Pats up with 372 passing yards and tossing four touchdowns. Love attacked Gonzalez at a consistent rate too, especially when he drew Christian Watson or Matthew Golden. Both Pack wideouts surpassed 100 yards (Watson with 171, Golden at 164).
New England surrendered 478 total yards of offense, uncharacteristic of a Mike Vrabel led defense. The Patriots drop to 5-4 overall one season after claiming the AFC title.