Colombian cornerback Christian Gonzalez delivered a stellar performance to help the New England Patriots defeat the Houston Texans 28-16 on Sunday, securing a spot in the AFC Championship Game against the Denver Broncos in the NFL. The winner will go to Super Bowl LX.
At just 23, Gonzalez was a fundamental piece of the Patriots’ secondary, which played a decisive role in the victory. His participation had been in doubt after he suffered a concussion in the Wild Card round against the Los Angeles Chargers, where he collided with the turf and took a hit to the helmet from an opposing receiver. However, he cleared the concussion protocol on Friday and returned to the field in top form.
In his second NFL season, Gonzalez has established himself as a defensive force. During the 2024 regular season, he recorded 59 tackles, 11 passes defended, two interceptions, and one fumble recovery. His performance earned him his first Pro Bowl selection, with his stats improving to 69 tackles and 10 passes defended by the end of the campaign.
Gonzalez and the Patriots are one step away from the Super Bowl
Against the Texans, the Patriots’ defense stifled opposing quarterback C.J. Stroud, intercepting him four times and holding Houston’s running game to just eight yards in the first half. Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel praised the unit’s cohesion, stating, “Our guys are prideful men. … Turnovers are created by more than one guy.”
The Patriots’ victory sets up a clash with the Broncos for the AFC title. If New England wins, Gonzalez would become the second player of Colombian descent to reach the Super Bowl. He would join offensive lineman Fernando Velasco, who played in Super Bowl 50 with the Carolina Panthers. While kickers such as Fuad Reveiz and running backs like Jairo Peñaranda were pioneers for Colombians in the league, Velasco remains the only one to have played in the championship game.
#Patriots CB Christian Gonzalez this season:
70 Targets
31 Catches Allowed
44% Completion Rate
376 Yards Allowed
23.5 Yards Per Game
2 Interceptions
7 Pass Break Ups
1 Fumble Recovery
1 Defensive Touchdown
978 Snaps PlayedElite. pic.twitter.com/1EiMCT257b
— Carlos A. Lopez (@LosTalksPats) January 2, 2025
New England’s offense also contributed to the win, with rookie quarterback Drake Maye throwing three touchdown passes despite difficult weather conditions. The Patriots’ run game was crucial in running the clock down during the fourth quarter.
The Patriots will now travel to Denver to face the Broncos next weekend, with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line.