The New England Patriots take on the Kansas City Chiefs in a regular season game at Gillette Stadium on Thursday, September 7, 2017.
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady looks for a receiver against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) passes under pressure from Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Dee Ford (55) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
New England Patriots running back Mike Gillislee (35) dives over the goal line for a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots running back Mike Gillislee, center, celebrates his touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots running back Mike Gillislee, left, celebrates his touchdown with quarterback Tom Brady during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
New England Patriots running back Mike Gillislee (35) leaps with Brandon Bolden, center, and others as they celebrate Gillislee's touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) bobbles a catch as the ball hits the ground in the end zone during the first half of an NFL football game , Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. The pass was ruled incomplete (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Kansas City Chiefs safety Ron Parker, bottom left, trips up New England Patriots running back James White (28) as he carries the ball during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) rolls out under pressure from New England Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower (54) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) passes under pressure by New England Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower (54) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick makes notes on the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady watches play from the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
New England Patriots backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo watches play from the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan (15) runs after catching a pass against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
New England Patriots running back Rex Burkhead (34) can't catch a pass as Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady tightens his chin strap on the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
New England Patriots running back Mike Gillislee, center, celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Members of the New England Patriots End Zone Militia fire their rifles during the first half of an NFL football game between the Patriots and the Kansas City Chiefs, Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady passes against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick instructs players on the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) prepares to throw a touchdown pass to Tyreek Hill while under pressure from New England Patriots cornerback Eric Rowe (25) during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots running back Mike Gillislee, center, celebrates with Shaq Mason (69) and Rob Gronkowski (87) after scoring a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots running back Mike Gillislee, right, celebrates with Shaq Mason, left, after scoring a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Terrance Mitchell, left, keeps New England Patriots wide receiver Brandin Cooks (14) from catching a pass at the goal line during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
New England Patriots wide receiver Brandin Cooks (14) catches a pass as Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Terrance Mitchell (39) defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots wide receiver Brandin Cooks (14) catches a pass as Kansas City Chiefs defensive backs Eric Murray (21) and Terrance Mitchell (39) defend during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick watches play from the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
New England Patriots wide receiver Brandin Cooks watches play from the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
New England Patriots safety Devin McCourty (32) upends Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) after Kelce caught a pass during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, left and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith, right, speak at midfield after an NFL football game, early Friday, Sept. 8, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, left, and Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, right, speak at midfield after an NFL football game, early Friday, Sept. 8, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs players kneel together in prayer at midfield after an NFL football game, Friday, Sept. 8, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs players kneel together in prayer at midfield after an NFL football game, Friday, Sept. 8, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady arrives to speak to the media following an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, early Friday, Sept. 8, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady arrives to speak to the media following an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, early Friday, Sept. 8, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady speaks to the media following an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, early Friday, Sept. 8, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady speaks to the media following an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, early Friday, Sept. 8, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady departs after speaking to speak to the media following an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, early Friday, Sept. 8, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick speaks to the media following an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, early Friday, Sept. 8, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick arrives to speak to the media following an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, early Friday, Sept. 8, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick arrives to speak to the media following an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, early Friday, Sept. 8, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Una noche que empezó en lo más alto y con muchas expectativas, terminó siendo una de las noches más decepcionantes para el equipo de New England tras debutar perdiendo en casa 42-27 frente a los Chiefs de Kansas City.
Un partido irreconocible donde el equipo local dejó mucho que desear.
"No hicimos las cosas lo suficientemente bien para merecer ganar esta noche…tenemos que entrenar mejor, tenemos que practicar mejor, tenemos que jugar mejor. Tenemos mucho trabajo por hacer", dijo Belichick al abrir su conferencia.
A pesar de un buen inicio que empezó con una marcha de touchdown de 8 jugadas y 73 yardas en menos de 3 minutos (2:52), la ofensiva de Brady no pudo mantener ese ritmo por mucho tiempo, desarrollando un juego irregular y errático durante varios pasajes del partido.
Una irregularidad en la ofensiva que parece ser producto de la ausencia del mejor receptor del equipo: Julian Edelman.
"Definitivamente tenemos que jugar mejor. Es un año largo y tenemos 15 juegos más. Tendremos que hacer un mejor trabajo y él (Edelman) no va a regresar", dijo Brady en su conferencia.
El QB de New England terminó su noche completando solo 16 de 36 pases para 267 yardas, 0 TD y 3 capturas. Un 44% de pases completados que es su tercer promedio más bajo de su carrera.
Para colmo de males, Brady no pudo contar durante todo el partido con el receptor que mejor le estaba rindiendo: Danny Amendola. El WR tuvo que salir en la tercera mitad debido a una "lesión en la cabeza", según informó de manera oficial el equipo. Amendola, en 6 recepciones, alcanzó la marca de 100 yardas.
Aparte de Amendola, el WR Cooks fue la segunda arma aérea más efectiva de Brady, receptando 3 pases para 88 yardas.
El TE Rob Gronkowski lució bien, aunque bien cubierto y limitado, receptando solo 2 balones para 33 yardas.
El juego de carrera no logró imponerse con autoridad, solo tuvo algunos buenos momentos, particularmente con el RB Mike Gillislee quien anotó 3 TDs (record personal). Gillislee solo sumó 45 yardas.
En total, el juego de carrera sumo 124 yardas y 3 TDs en 35 intentos.
En la defensa las cosas no fueron mejor.
El QB de los Chiefs, Alex Smith tuvo una noche espectacular, comandando con destreza y seguridad su ofensiva y logrando completar 28 de 35 pases para 368 yardas y 4 touchdowns.
El QB de Kansas humilló a la defensa de los Patriots con 2 touchdowns a profundidad. El primero a WR Tyreek Hill (75 yardas) y el segundo al RB Kareem Hunt (78 yardas).
Hill terminó con 7 recepciones para 133 yardas y el RB Hunt con 5 recepciones para 98 yardas y 2 TDs además de 17 acarreos para 148 yardas y 1 TD.
Cabe señalar que a mediados del tercer cuarto (7:52) el LB/DE Dont'a Hightower dejó el partido tras sufrir una lesión a la rodilla. El reemplazante de Hightower fue el recién llegado Cassius Marsh. El nuevo ala defensivo de los Pats se convirtió en blanco de los ataque de Kansas City, particularmente cuando cubrió al RB Kareem Hunt en su anotación de 78 yardas.
Una mala actuación de la defensa en general, incluyendo la secundaria que tuvo gran responsabilidad en las 368 yardas y 4 touchdowns anotados por el aire por los visitantes.
Un resultado inesperado pero peor aún, una actuación inesperada con una baja producción en todas las líneas y fases del equipo. A ello habría que sumarle las lesiones de dos hombres claves e indispensables: WR Danny Amendola y LB/DE Dont'a Hightower.
La pérdida de Edelman y de Malcolm Mitchell (enviado hoy a reserva de lesionados) deja debilitada la posición de receptor por lo que la presencia de Amendola es imprescindible. Lo mismo que Hightower en la defensa, donde su talento y función de líder de grupo son necesarias.
"Tenemos 9 días antes de nuestro próximo juego y espero que podamos jugar mucho mejor que esta noche", dijo Brady.
Esperemos que así sea, de lo contrario, de aquí a 9 días (después de jugar de visita frente a los Saints), podríamos ostentar el nada honroso record de 0-2. Algo que era impensado antes de hoy, pero que ahora es una seria posibilidad.
