Passer rating is not the be-all and end-all of quarterback evaluation, but it does give some insight into how effective teams are at moving the ball through the air. Against the New England Patriots so far
in this year’s playoffs, not that much.
In three postseason games so far, opposing passers have achieved a rating of 56.1 while tossing only two touchdowns versus five interceptions. The roots of that number, however, are not evenly distributed across New England’s pass defenders. Two players in particular have helped lay the foundation for the unit’s success: Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis III.
The Patriots’ starting cornerbacks, who rarely leave the field, are ranked first and second in pass rating given up in this year’s playoffs so far. Neither has allowed a touchdown, while Davis caught two interceptions to Gonzalez’s one.
In addition to those rankings, Gonzalez and Davis also are currently first (5.2) and fifth (5.7), respectively, in yards allowed per target among all qualifying defensive backs in the NFL this year. Needless to say, they have been standout performers even on a defensive unit full of them this postseason.
For Gonzalez, Davis has a big role in that. While he himself went 4-13 in each of his first two seasons in the NFL and came nowhere close to competing in the playoffs, the veteran offseason signing has been down that road before: next Sunday’s Super Bowl against the Seattle Seahawks will be the 13th playoff game of Davis’ career.
“CD’s done a great job coming in the room,” Gonzalez said. “He’s that veteran that we needed in the room. Besides him, we have a real young room. So, just him coming in, him having experience, him playing, winning the Super Bowl, being in the league, I’ve been able to lean on him, talk to him, ask him about how these playoff games feel, how the Super Bowl feels.
“He’s done a great job. He’s a voice in this locker room and a lot of guys lean towards him. It’s been a lot of fun going out there with him and the guys.”
Davis joined the Patriots on a three-year, $54 million contract this year and immediately took over the starting outside cornerback job opposite Gonzalez. And while his young teammate has gotten the headlines as one of the best defenders in the game, Davis himself has been a critical part of the operation as well.
The playoffs made this clear. In the divisional round against Houston, Davis caught two interceptions. Gonzalez followed suit with a pivotal pick in the AFC Championship against Denver.
As a result, the two are now headed to the Super Bowl alongside the rest of their team. While the biggest game of the season, however, the preparation — with Davis providing “been there, done that” experience — will remain the same.
“Preparing the same way. It’s football at the end of the day,” said Gonzalez. “It’s the same game I played my whole life. It’s just the Super Bowl. Of course, there are going to be a little nerves the closer you get to it, but it’s football. The field is same length, the same thing, just a couple more people there. The stage isn’t really going to change your preparation or anything. You still prepare the same way and go. You have a job to execute.”
