Patriots: Insider clowns PFF for ridiculous Gonzalez grade after shutting down DK Metcalf appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
New England Patriots star cornerback Christian Gonzalez demonstrated why he deserved his significant contract extension after Sunday’s 20-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. He said he had been eager to shadow 6-foot-4 wide receiver DK Metcalf ever since the NFL schedule was released in May.
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Gonzalez’s extensive mental and physical preparation paid off during the game, as he completely neutralized Metcalf, holding the explosive receiver to just four catches on nine targets for a mere 27 yards while leading a dominant defensive performance. However, in a bizarre post-game twist, a grading controversy emerged that left analysts baffled. A tweet from Andrew Callahan on X criticized the analytics site Pro Football Focus (PFF), stating, “Yet despite shutting down the Steelers’ No. 1 WR, PFF graded Gonzalez as the Patriots’ worst coverage defender yesterday… lol. Lmao, even.”
This unexpected and counterintuitive grade sparked amusement and criticism across social media, completely contradicting what viewers and reporters witnessed in Foxborough. While Pro Football Focus assigned Gonzalez a perplexing evaluation, anyone who watched him effectively contain a multi-million-dollar target knew the truth about his exceptional performance.
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As the Patriots celebrated a commanding victory that improved their record and showcased their elite secondary talent, the amusing disconnect between live game performance and computer metrics underscored the flaws in analytical grading. With tougher challenges ahead, Gonzalez’s ability to lock down receivers remains unquestioned by everyone except the algorithm.
Related: Patriots’ Mike Vrabel calls out young player who made life miserable for Drake Maye vs. Steelers
Related: Patriots’ Christian Gonzalez has been ready to shut down DK Metcalf for months
