Jaxon Smith-Njigba stuns Seahawks Nation by publicly praising the elite coverage of CB Christian Gonzalez despite the Patriots’ loss to the Seahawks: “He completely dominated me — I’ll probably still be dreaming tonight about getting shut down.”
Gonzalez was assigned the toughest task: shadowing Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the 2025 Offensive Player of the Year and Seattle’s most dangerous weapon. Across 14 direct coverage snaps, Gonzalez allowed just one reception for 16 yards on three targets — a stat line that reflects near-total control over one of the NFL’s premier receivers.
The defining moment came just before halftime. On a goal-line situation, Gonzalez made a full-extension pass breakup in the end zone, denying a throw from Sam Darnold intended for JSN. It was a play that bordered on an interception and forced the Seahawks to settle for a field goal instead of a touchdown — a sequence that subtly but decisively shaped the flow of the game.
TRENDING: Video of every Jaxon Smith-Njigba vs. Christian Gonzalez matchup from the Super Bowl has gone viral.
— MLFootball (@MLFootball) February 9, 2026
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What do you notice…?
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Overall, Smith-Njigba finished with just four catches on 10 targets for roughly 27 yards and no touchdowns — far below his usual standard. Though JSN briefly left the game for a concussion evaluation in the second half and later returned, he still couldn’t find consistent separation against Gonzalez and the Patriots’ disciplined secondary.
After the game, Smith-Njigba was candid in his praise for the defender who gave him the most trouble. “Christian was everywhere. He pressed me, stayed on my hip, took away space, and never gave me a clean look. Honestly, he completely dominated that matchup. I’ll probably still be thinking tonight about how hard every route felt out there.”
For Patriots Nation, those words carried special weight. In a lopsided loss to Seattle’s defense, Gonzalez emerged as the team’s brightest spot — clear evidence that New England has found a true shutdown cornerback for the future. Several coaches and analysts described his showing as a full-on “clinic” at the position.
Super Bowl LX belonged to the Seahawks, but Christian Gonzalez left San Francisco with the respect of the entire NFL. When an Offensive Player of the Year openly admits he was “dominated,” it’s more than personal praise — it’s a clear sign that the Patriots possess a defensive cornerstone for the next era.
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