The New England Patriots take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, January 22, 2017.
New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman warms up before the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New England Patriots quarterbacks Tom Brady (12) and Jimmy Garoppolo (10) head to the field to warm up before the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady shouts as he takes the field to warm up before the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady shouts as he takes the field to warm up before the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady shouts as he takes the field to warm up before the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New England Patriots quarterbacks Jimmy Garoppolo (10) and Tom Brady (12) warm up before the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) talks to offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels before the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Fans hold large photos of New England Patriots Bill Belichick and Tom Brady, top, and Julian Edelman, Malcolm Butler, Tom Brady, and Devin McCourty, bottom before the AFC championship NFL football game between the Patriots and the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft greets players before the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick walks around during warm-up's before the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and entertainer Jon Bon Jovi, right, watch from the sideline during warm-up's before the AFC championship NFL football game between the Patriots and the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) greets team owner Robert Kraft before the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) greets team owner Robert Kraft before the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
The End Zone Militia watch fireworks before the AFC championship NFL football game between the New England Patriots and the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Fireworks soar over the American flag on the field before the AFC championship NFL football game between the New England Patriots and the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) talks with running back Dion Lewis (33), wide receiver Chris Hogan (15) and fullback James Develin (46) before the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) runs against Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Bud Dupree (48) after a reception during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski (3) kicks a field goal during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, center rear, throws a pass during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler (21) breaks up a pass intended for Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws a pass during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan celebrates his pass reception during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan (15) makes a touchdown reception during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan celebrates his touchdown catch during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) celebrates with wide receiver Chris Hogan (15) after a touchdown pass during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan celebrates after making a touchdown reception during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier (50) tackles New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan (15) looks back as he runs to the end zone for a touchdown during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan (15) celebrates after making a touchdown reception during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Pittsburgh Steelers fullback Roosevelt Nix (45) tackles New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) passes against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady calls signals at the line of scrimmage during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New England Patriots cornerback Logan Ryan (26) breaks up a pass intended for Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Eli Rogers (17) during the second half of the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) celebrates a touchdown during the second half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan (15) runs against Pittsburgh Steelers defense during the second half of the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) gets up after scoring a touchdown during the second half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan (15) runs from Pittsburgh Steelers cornerbacks Ross Cockrell (31) and William Gay (22) after catching a pass during the second half of the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount celebrates after a touchdown run during the second half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) celebrates a touchdown with the End Zone Militia during the second half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady reacts after throwing a touchdown pass to Julian Edelman during the second half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady reacts after a play during the second half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady reacts after throwing a touchdown pass to Julian Edelman during the second half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady reacts after throwing a touchdown pass to Julian Edelman during the second half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) calls a play at the line of scrimmage during the second half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman runs after catching a pass during the second half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) celebrates after making a touchdown reception during the second half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady reacts after throwing a touchdown pass to Julian Edelman during the second half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, left, speaks to Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin at midfield after the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots won 36-17 to advance to the Super Bowl. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, left, celebrates with quarterback Tom Brady after beating the Pittsburgh Steelers 36-17 in the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, left, and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger speak at midfield after the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots won 36-17 to advance to the Super Bowl. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots defensive lineman Alan Branch, left, celebrates with team owner Robert Kraft after winning the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots won 36-17 to advance to the Super Bowl. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, left, celebrates with tight end Rob Gronkowski after winning the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots won 36-17 to advance to the Super Bowl. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Entertainer Jon Bon Jovi, left, celebrates with New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady after the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots won 36-17 to advance to the Super Bowl. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft passes the AFC Championship trophy to players after the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. The New England Patriots defeated the the Pittsburgh Steelers 36-17 to advance to the Super Bowl. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount holds the AFC championship trophy surrounded by fans after the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots defeated the the Pittsburgh Steelers 36-17 to advance to the Super Bowl. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, right, celebrates with team owner Robert Kraft after the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots defeated the the Pittsburgh Steelers 36-17 to advance to the Super Bowl. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, right, celebrates with team owner Robert Kraft after the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots defeated the the Steelers 36-17 to advance to the Super Bowl. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, right, passes the AFC Championship trophy to quarterback Tom Brady after winning the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. At left is team owner Robert Kraft. The Patriots defeated the the Steelers 36-17 to advance to the Super Bowl. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett celebrates with cheerleaders after the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots defeated the the Steelers 36-17 to advance to the Super Bowl. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett celebrates with cheerleaders after the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots defeated the the Steelers 36-17 to advance to the Super Bowl. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount holds the AFC championship trophy surrounded by fans after the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots defeated the the Pittsburgh Steelers 36-17 to advance to the Super Bowl. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, right, holds the AFC championship trophy beside team owner Robert Kraft, left, honorary captain Tedy Bruschi, second from left, and head coach Bill Belichick after the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. The New England Patriots defeated the the Pittsburgh Steelers 36-17 to advance to the Super Bowl. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Tom Brady, quarterback de los Patriots de Nueva Inglaterra, sostiene el trofeo de campeón de la Conferencia Americana, junto con el entrenador Bill Belichick, luego de vencer a los Steelers de Pittsburgh el domingo 22 de enero de 2017 (AP Foto/Matt Slocum)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick talks during a news conference after the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots defeated the Steelers 36-17 to advance to the Super Bowl. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady talks during a news conference after the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots defeated the the Steelers 36-17 to advance to the Super Bowl. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Esta noche los Patriots se coronaron campeón de la AFC y aseguraron un viaje a Houston para enfrentarse en el Super Bowl LI a los Atlanta Falcons.
Una victoria de 36-17 sobre los Steelers que se traduce en la novena visita por parte de los Patriots al máximo evento del fútbol americano. Los Pats se convertirán en el primer equipo de la historia de la NFL en jugar 9 Super Bowls.
"Ha sido un buen día. Quiero decir, ¡vamos al Super Bowl hombre! Tienes que estar feliz ahora", exclamó Brady durante su conferencia.
Juego aéreo
Los Patriots sorprendieron a los Steelers con un contundente ataque aéreo liderado por Brady quien contó con la complicidad de los receptores aéreos más productivos del equipo, Chris Hogan y Julian Edelman.
Hogan, el hombre de la noche
Hogan fue la estrella de la noche al finalizar con 9 de 12 recepciones para 180 yardas y 2 TD (primera vez en su carrera que anota 2 TD en un partido). Edelman hizo su parte con 8 recepciones para 118 yardas, 1 TD.
"Él estuvo increíble. Liderar la liga en promedio de yardas por recepción es ya espectacular. Él ha realizado jugadas durante toda la temporada, y ahora hizo grandes jugadas en el juego más importante del año", opinó Brady de Hogan.
Por su parte Hogan comentó:
"Estoy muy feliz de haber aprovechado esta oportunidad, la de formar parte de este equipo…es un momento especial para todos los chicos en este vestuario. Lo disfrutaremos y regresaremos a trabajar, porque queremos más".
Tanto Hogan como Edelman fueron piezas claves de un ataque aéreo que usaba formaciones hasta con 4 receptores, y que hacía uso del no-huddle que confundió y agotó a la defensa de los Steelers (la cual realizaba cobertura en zona).
Al final de la noche Brady acabó su faena completando 32 de 41 pases para 384 yardas y 3 TDs.
Un acarreo que pasó a segundo plano
El juego de carrera, contrario a otras oportunidades, tomó un segundo plano. La dura defensa contra la carrera de los visitantes y el plan de juego que se centró en el juego aéreo hizo que LeGarrette Blount acarreara el balón en 16 oportunidades para 47 yardas y 1 TD.
Los Patriots complementaron su buena ofensiva con una defensa que hizo su trabajo en los momentos indicados.
Roethlisberger sin jugadas a profundidad
La defensa de los Pats realizó una cobertura en zona durante el partido, El QB Ben Roethlisberger tenía dificultades para encontrar a sus receptores en pases a profundidad, su mejor hombre, Antonio Brown solo atrapó 7 balones para 77 yardas. Big Ben se tuvo que conformar con distribuir el balón entre sus varios receptores, terminando su noche completando 31 de 47 para 314 yardas y 1 TD.
"Tenía que salir e igualar su intensidad [de Brown]. Él iba a estar listo para jugar y para dejarlo todo. Solo tenía que salir y competir en cada jugada", afirmó Malcolm Butler.
La defensa de los Patriots detuvo a los Steelers en la yarda 5 obligándolos a conformarse con un gol de campo (durante el segundo cuarto). En otra ocasión, recuperaron el balón para su ofensiva después de evitar que los Steelers completaran una jugada de 4 y 2.
Errores aprovechados
En el tercer cuarto, el LB Kyle Van Noy forzó un balón suelto el cual fue recuperado por LB Rob Ninkovich.
CB Eric Rowe consiguió una intercepción en el último cuarto de juego.
Una muralla dificil de vencer
En la defensa contra el juego terrestre, la arma más letal de los Steelers, Le'Veon Bell tuvo una limitada participación debido a una lesión a la ingle que lo alejó tempranamente del partido.
Bell solo acarreó seis balones para 20 yardas, su reemplazante DeAngelo Williams solo acarreó 14 balones para 34 yardas y 1 TD.
"La partida de Bell fue muy importante pero DeAngelo Williams también es un buen corredor. Teníamos que mantenernos en nuestras asignaciones. Formar una muralla y no darle lugar para que corra", dijo Alan Branch.
El pateador Stephen Gostkowski anotó 3 goles de campo (31, 47 y 26) pero fallo un punto extra en el tercer cuarto.
Conclusión
Finalmente logramos lo que queríamos, llegar al Super Bowl. No fue una tarea fácil llegar a este punto. Una temporada que se inició de manera incierta (con Brady alejado del Gillette por 4 semanas por suspensión) puso a prueba al equipo, luego regresa Brady y logra una temporada fenomenal con un cierre de primer nivel.
Los obstáculos han sido muchos, los "enemigos" también. ¿Cómo luchas contra eso? Los Patriots nos enseñaron cómo: trabajando, respetando al rival, creyendo en sí mismos y creyendo en su entrenador. Parece algo fácil de poner en práctica pero no lo es, sino preguntemos a los 30 equipos que estarán viendo a los Pats por la tele en el Super Bowl.
