Christian Gonzalez dominates DK Metcalf in Patriots’ win over Steelers

When Christian Gonzalez first saw the Pittsburgh Steelers on the Week 2 schedule, he knew it meant one thing: D.K. Metcalf. On Sunday, that became reality. In the New England Patriots’ 20-3 win over the Steelers , Gonzalez followed Metcalf almost anywhere he went on the Gillette Stadium field. The t

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What is the story about?

When Christian Gonzalez first saw the Pittsburgh Steelers on the Week 2 schedule, he knew it meant one thing: D.K. Metcalf.

On Sunday, that became reality.

In the New England Patriots’ 20-3 win over the Steelers

, Gonzalez followed Metcalf almost anywhere he went on the Gillette Stadium field. The two were matched up for 34 snaps, the most Gonzalez has had against a single receiver in a game during his career.

“Gonzo wants those challenges. You can see the competitive spirit,” head coach Mike Vrabel

said post game.

“Had a fun match-up,” Gonzalez added. “It is always fun seeing their best guy and just going out there and competing. That’s what you love as a corner. Being a corner is just going out there, playing ball and competing against the best.”

Gonzalez won the matchup decisively on Sunday.

Across the 34 matchups, Gonzalez held Metcalf to just three catches for 11 yards, with two of those receptions coming behind the line of scrimmage. In total, Metcalf ended the day with four catches for 27 yards and a pair of drops.

“I don’t think he had a lot of fun at all. I don’t know how many catches he had, but it wasn’t a whole lot,” safety Kevin Byard said. “I think anytime I’m lining up in the post and I see Gonzo out there at number one or on the outside, I have full confidence that I don’t really need to give him any help.”

With trust in Gonzalez and New England’s secondary, the Patriots were able to heat up Aaron Rodgers throughout the afternoon. New England blitzed Rodgers 21 times (47.7%), helping produce four total sacks and an interception to steer the Patriots to their first victory of the season.

“We played good team defense,” Gonzalez said. “We left some plays out there that we can obviously come back and get in the film room and fix. I am proud of this defense and proud of this team. We went out there and fought hard. That’s a physical team. The Steelers are a physical team. They came in and always want to be physical. So, our challenge was to be more physical as a defense. I think we did that, and we are going to enjoy this one.”