Week 9 Matchup to Watch: Christian Gonzalez vs. Calvin Ridley

Christian Gonzalez has maintained a high level of play for the New England Patriots in 2024, going against some of the NFL’s top wide receivers. Gonzalez matches up with the top receiver every week. He’s more than held his own against Ja’Marr Chase, DK Metcalf, Garrett Wilson, Brandon Aiyuk, Brian Thomas Jr., and Davante Adams. Only Thomas got the best of Gonzalez when matched up head-to-head.

The second-year corner faces another tough task in Week 9 against Calvin Ridley of the Tennessee Titans.

New England’s pursuit of Ridley during free agency this past offseason was well documented. Ridley signed a deal with Tennesseee worth $92 million over four years with $50 million guaranteed. Reports indicated the Patriots offered more money, but Ridley opted to join the Titans instead. The reasons included everything from guaranteed money to taxes in Massachusetts to Ridley’s wife not wanting to move north. Whatever the reason, Gonzalez and Ridley will be opponents instead of teammates on Sunday.

Also Read – Which New England Patriots Will Be Traded Before the Deadline?

Christian Gonzalez

Gonzalez missed most of his rookie season in 2023. He suffered a torn labrum in the season’s fourth game and was finished for the year. However, the first-round pick impressed in his short stint. He earned NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month for September, the only month he played.

The New England Patriots defense was excellent in 2023 despite the team’s 4-13 finish and playing without Christian Gonzalez and Matthew Judon (also limited to four games) for most of the season. There was potential for the 2024 unit to be even better. However, the Patriots have received almost no contributions from new additions on defense. Additionally, they lost Mack Wilson Jr. in free agency, traded Judon to Atlanta, and are missing several of the most reliable defenders. Christian Barmore, Ja’Whaun Bentley, and Jabrill Peppers have been out with health, injury, and discipline issues, respectively.

One silver lining of the absences has been the opportunities it allowed others to show themselves as young, core players. The two players who have done the best job of it are Christian Gonzalez and Keion White.

CHRISTIAN GONZALEZZZZZ 😮‍💨@chrisgonzo28 | #NEPats

📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/8HS1luY6Vt

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) October 6, 2024

Calvin Ridley

Ridley opted to join a Titans team with many question marks but some offensive upside. Tennessee hired Brian Callahan as their head coach, who was coming off a successful run as the Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator. Second-year quarterback Will Levis entered his first full season as the team’s starter. Ridley joined DeAndre Hopking and Treylon Burks in the Titans wide receivers room. Callahan also brought slot receiver Tyler Boyd with him from Cincinnati.

Levis struggled in five starts and suffered a shoulder injury. Mason Rudolph has been the Titans starting quarterback in recent weeks. Tennessee traded Hopkins to Kansas City and Burks is on injured reserve.

Through Week 7, Ridley had no games with more than three receptions or 50 yards receiving. Things improved tremendously for him last Sunday against the Lions. Calvin Ridley caught ten passes for 143 yards. He was Tennessee’s lone bright spot in a 52-14 thumping at the hands of the Detroit Lions. He now has 22 receptions, 326 yards, and one touchdown in 2024. They are modest numbers for a $92 million receiver, though Ridley would lead New England’s wide receivers in receiving yards.

CALVIN RIDLEY. Elite 40-yard TD grab to tie the game!

📺: #NYJvsTEN on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/oqgFd24Dqi

— NFL (@NFL) September 15, 2024

Sunday’s Matchup

With Hopkins gone and Boyd out, Ridley will be Gonzalez’s main responsibility on Sunday. Last week, the New England Patriots’ other cornerbacks, notably Marcus Jones, struggled to contain Garrett Wilson. However, Tyler Boyd is a much more favorable matchup for Jones. If Christian Gonzalez locks up Calvin Ridley, the pressure will be on Tony Pollard and the Tennessee Titans’ rushing attack to generate offense. Gonzalez can turn Tennessee into a one-dimensional offense if he does his job.

Christian Gonzalez also has a chance to go head-to-head with a player in Calvin Ridley, who opted not to sign with the New England Patriots this past offseason. It would be a bit of a bonus for a New England Patriots fanbase ready to take a victory wherever they can get one in 2024.