New England Patriots: Top 5 individual game performances of 2019
1. Stephon Gilmore Week 15 vs. Bengals
If there was any doubt that Stephon Gilmore was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year, he put that to rest with his Week 15 performance against the Cincinnati Bengals.
With two interceptions, one of which going for a pick six, Gilmore propelled the New England Patriots to a 34-13 victory in a game that was closer than it should’ve been until Gilmore forced Andy Dalton into his first mistake by throwing in the All-Pro cornerback’s direction.
The second time Dalton dared to throw Gilmore’s way, he knew it would be a score as he jumped the pass and ran it back 64 yards to break the game open.
"“As soon as (Dalton) threw it, I knew I was gone,” Gilmore said, via the Boston Herald. “Just had to catch it.”"
Both times, Stephon Gilmore said he knew the route as he helped lead the New England Patriot to an 11-3 record at the time and clenching a playoff spot.
In fact, Gilmore was so good in that game that he had Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd in denial as the receiver claimed he won the “majority” of matchups against Stephon Gilmore.
Next. New England Patriots: Analyzing team’s biggest draft needs. dark
If three catches on seven targets for 26 yards is winning a matchup, then perhaps Mohamed Sanu was a much better receiver for the Patriots than we all thought.