Packers torture Christian Gonzalez in soaring passing performance

According to Next Gen Stats, New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez entered Week 9 having allowed only 196 receiving yards on throws into his coverage during his first six games of the 2026 season. According to Next Gen Stats, Jordan Love, Matthew Golden and Christian Watson teamed up to

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What is the story about?

According to Next Gen Stats, New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez entered Week 9 having allowed only 196 receiving yards on throws into his coverage during his first six games of the 2026 season.

According to Next Gen Stats, Jordan Love, Matthew Golden and Christian Watson teamed up to create 187 passing yards when targeting Gonzalez in coverage during the Green Bay Packers

' 45-27 win over the Patriots on Sunday.

Gonzalez, a first-round pick in 2023, an All-Pro in 2024 and Pro Bowler in 2025, is one of the NFL's best cornerbacks. And neither Love nor coach Matt LaFleur said the Packers went out of their way to target him on Sunday.

But the Packers specifically tortured Gonzalez in a soaring performance from the passing game.

Gen Stats charted Golden with seven catches for 105 yards and Watson with three catches for 82 yards against Gonzalez, who became the first player in at least eight seasons to allow at least 80 receiving yards to two different players in a single game.

Christian Gonzalez allowed 7 receptions for 105 yards to Matthew Golden and 3 receptions for 82 yards to Christian Watson.

Gonzalez is the only defender since at least 2018 to allow more than 80 receiving yards to two different players in the same game.

Powered by @awscloud pic.twitter.com/2voC02QTd3

— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) November 9, 2026

Golden and Watson combined for 17 catches for 335 yards and two touchdowns against the Patriots, becoming the first Packers receiver duo since 1942 to each produce at least 150 receiving yards and catch a touchdown in the same game.

Per PFF's early charting, Love had a passer rating of 149.1 when targeting Gonzalez in the win.

To his credit, Gonzalez answered questions from the media following the loss and was freely able to admit he played poorly.

Christian Gonzalez is ready to move on and be better next week pic.twitter.com/Iwtet87ZkI

— PFF (@PFF) November 9, 2026

Watson and Golden are emerging as a nearly unstoppable combo, even for elite corners. Both receivers have elite speed, can win down the field, create separation in the intermediate areas and make tough catches along the boundary. Golden, who has struggled with drops, caught all 10 of his targets on Sunday.