This is a big opportunity for Christian Gonzalez

[n1997y]

The Patriots haven't designated Gonzo to cover a single receiver all game once this season. I'm sure it will be a combo of players and coverages to challenge Darnold in getting him the ball. The Patriots can't allow one guy to beat them. You take JSN away and panic will set in, that's a given.

This is a prime opportunity to disguise coverages, try to lure Darnold into a bait and switch, have a few ghosts floating around JSN. I’m wondering if it might work to clamp down on JSN hard, doubling him a lot early and slip in a change in coverage where it looks enough different that Darnold misses Gonzo lurking close enough to jump the throw…

 

[grux]

It would be great if a reporter would interview BB and ask him how he would handle JSN. I agree that if we can force Darnold into mistakes by disguising coverages, we have a good shot at winning the game. Go Pats!

 

[Wingy]

I think you treat JSN like how Bill treated Hill when he was with the Chiefs. You put Davis on JSN and give him help all night and you let Gonzalez erase Kupp.

I like it. This is how I recall Bill using Revis for much of the season.

 

[Real fan 02]

JSN is like Michael Thomas hoarding all the targets. If Gonzalez can wipe him out, their drives will stall assuming the Pats stop the run. This was what happened to the Saints between 2017-2019.

Agreed... I actually believe Gonzo should draw kupp take him away and have Marcus and safety help bracket JSN... walker is a good back..but the loss of Charbonet hurts them.. we owe them one from that mayo Season loss with Brissett at QB...

 

[Real fan 02]

I think you treat JSN like how Bill treated Hill when he was with the Chiefs. You put Davis on JSN and give him help all night and you let Gonzalez erase Kupp.

Actually feel Marcus is a better matchup against JSN.. Marcus and safety help to bracket him.. gonzo erases kupp and the Defensive line stops the run.. Davis on thier other guy..

 

[Real fan 02]

I know that Belichick‘s go to move was doubling the top guy and letting our top corner take the next guy, and maybe that’s what the play is here and maybe that’s what they’ll do.

But man, putting Gonzales on a guy with 500 yards this season feels like such a waste of resources. Maybe they’ll mix and match or whatever, I’m just saying if Gonzales could step up on this stage and take this guy out the Pats are winning.

Gonzo is a phenomenal athlete.. but JSN abilities are more in line with what Marcus can do.. Marcus can stay with JSN and gonzo takes away kupp. Kupp makes big plays for them and is a seasoned veteran.. bracket JSN with Marcus and safety help.. forcing Darnold to check down or hold the ball.

 

[Patsfan1645]

Actually feel Marcus is a better matchup against JSN.. Marcus and safety help to bracket him.. gonzo erases kupp and the Defensive line stops the run.. Davis on thier other guy..

Thats another interesting idea. I am curious to see how they go about covering him and if they change it up any as the game goes on.

 

[Real fan 02]

Thats another interesting idea. I am curious to see how they go about covering him and if they change it up any as the game goes on.

One thing I absolutely love about the defe is they are a ever changing defense.. there's no read an offense can really get on them realistically.. they have thier base but they morph and adapt from thier formations.. I think gonzo, CD, Marcus will all cover him at some points... the key here is keeping heat on Darnold all game so he can't get into a rhythm.

 

[NFL Mystique]

Gonzalez should not cover JSN one on one. Recipe for disaster. Double him and go single coverage on the other guys.

 

[aluminum seats]

Gonzo is a phenomenal athlete.. but JSN abilities are more in line with what Marcus can do.. Marcus can stay with JSN and gonzo takes away kupp. Kupp makes big plays for them and is a seasoned veteran.. bracket JSN with Marcus and safety help.. forcing Darnold to check down or hold the ball.

Can definitely see Marcus being effective on the quick stuff for sure, and I think we'll see a combination of things. Really excited to see what the defense will do.

 

[Real fan 02]

Can definitely see Marcus being effective on the quick stuff for sure, and I think we'll see a combination of things. Really excited to see what the defense will do.

Agreed! They have been disrespected all season long.. all the hype has been about Seattle.. I believe they come out and dominate..

 

[Huckleberry1]

These are the same people who shat all over Steph Gilmore, even during his ****ing DPOY season.

They wouldn't know cornerback play from a hole in their head.

Agree completely. They decry the lack of interceptions without understanding that quarterbacks want nothing to do with throwing at his man. Shutdown corners are impossible to get, just like quarterbacks and left tackles, and I'll give Belichick credit for passing on the left tackles everyone was screaming for, and taking the best player on the board.

 

[Huckleberry1]

The Patriots haven't designated Gonzo to cover a single receiver all game once this season. I'm sure it will be a combo of players and coverages to challenge Darnold in getting him the ball. The Patriots can't allow one guy to beat them. You take JSN away and panic will set in, that's a given.

I think they should give him the treatment Belichick used to give Tyreek Hill, put a slot corner on him underneath, and a safety on him over the top, then put maximum pressure on Darnold to make him panic.

 

[Huckleberry1]

I know that Belichick‘s go to move was doubling the top guy and letting our top corner take the next guy, and maybe that’s what the play is here and maybe that’s what they’ll do.

But man, putting Gonzales on a guy with 500 yards this season feels like such a waste of resources. Maybe they’ll mix and match or whatever, I’m just saying if Gonzales could step up on this stage and take this guy out the Pats are winning.

Champ Beiley's comments on folllwing a receiver were really interesting. The CB has to understand all the defensive assignments and adaptations while the play is in motion, from everywhere on the field, that's a huge amount of knowledge to understand well enough to play it in the fly.

 

[aluminum seats]

Agreed! They have been disrespected all season long.. all the hype has been about Seattle.. I believe they come out and dominate..

That would be beautiful, all of our Super Bowls have taken years off my life, I’d love to win by 30

 

[Real fan 02]

That would be beautiful, all of our Super Bowls have taken years off my life, I’d love to win by 30

Agreed.. they have all been essentially down to the wire games.. FGs or int's at the goal line... we have to remember that.. the same Darnold we all know is still the same player.. he went from playing with Justin Jefferson to JSN.. we know how he looked without elite talent around him..