The New England Patriots take on the Buffalo Bills in a regular season game at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, December 24, 2017.
Buffalo Bills cornerback Shareece Wright (20) upends New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, left, celebrates a touchdown by running back Dion Lewis (33) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor, left, and New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady speak at midfield after an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor, left, and New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady speak at midfield after an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, left, and Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott speak at midfield after an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor fumbles as he is sacked by New England Patriots defensive end Trey Flowers (98) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. The Bills recovered the ball. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) gains yardage against the Buffalo Bills during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots tight end Dwayne Allen (83) runs with Buffalo Bills linebacker Preston Brown (52) on his back during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis, left, heads toward the goal line for a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady celebrates his touchdown pass to Dion Lewis during the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady celebrates his touchdown pass to Dion Lewis during the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, left, runs from Buffalo Bills safety Micah Hyde (23) after catching a pass during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots defensive tackle Malcom Brown, rear, sacks Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots running back Mike Gillislee (35) celebrates his touchdown beside Buffalo Bills safety Jordan Poyer (21) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots running back Mike Gillislee, center, gains yardage against the Buffalo Bills during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Buffalo Bills defensive back Trae Elston, right, breaks up a pass in the end zone intended for New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, but was penalized for interference, during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Buffalo Bills defensive back Trae Elston, left, breaks up a pass in the end zone intended for New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, but was penalized for interference, during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Buffalo Bills defensive back Trae Elston, left, breaks up a pass in the end zone intended for New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, but was penalized for interference, during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) passes against the rush of Buffalo Bills linebacker Lorenzo Alexander (57) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Buffalo Bills safety Jordan Poyer (21) tackles New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) after he caught a pass during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) catches a pass in front of Buffalo Bills safety Jordan Poyer during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler (21) tackles Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (25) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) scrambles away from New England Patriots defensive tackle Adam Butler (70) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, center, passes against the Buffalo Bills during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Kyle Williams, left, sacks New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, right, runs from Buffalo Bills defensive back Leonard Johnson (24) after catching a pass during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, right, runs from Buffalo Bills defensive back Leonard Johnson (24) after catching a pass during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) makes a one-handed catch of a Tom Brady pass, as Buffalo Bills safety Micah Hyde (23) defends, before running for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, foreground, scores a touchdown after making a one-handed catch of a Tom Brady pass, as Buffalo Bills safety Micah Hyde defends, during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, left, celebrates his touchdown pass to tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, right, celebrates his touchdown pass to tight end Rob Gronkowski, left, during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, right, runs from Buffalo Bills defensive back Leonard Johnson (24) after catching a pass during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, right, spikes the ball beside Danny Amendola, left, after a touchdown catch against the Buffalo Bills during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, right, spikes the ball beside Danny Amendola, left, after a touchdown catch against the Buffalo Bills during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) passes against the rush of Buffalo Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes (55) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots running back Mike Gillislee (35) hurdles Buffalo Bills linebacker Matt Milano (58) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots running back Mike Gillislee (35) hurdles Buffalo Bills linebacker Matt Milano (58) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady attempts a pass to Kenny Britt, which was intercepted by Buffalo Bills safety Jordan Poyer during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Buffalo Bills safety Micah Hyde (23) defends against New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) in the end zone during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Buffalo Bills safety Jordan Poyer (21) runs for a touchdown with an intercepted pass, thrown by New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Buffalo Bills linebacker Preston Brown (52) tackles New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots defensive end Deatrich Wise, right, sacks Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) passes against the rush of Buffalo Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes (55) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) passes against the rush of Buffalo Bills linebacker Lorenzo Alexander (57) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots safety Devin McCourty (32) tackles Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (25) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Buffalo Bills tight end Charles Clay (85) is tackled by New England Patriots defenders during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Buffalo Bills linebacker Matt Milano (58) chases New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Buffalo Bills fullback Mike Tolbert (35) is tackled during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, left, hands off to New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, center, passes against the Buffalo Bills during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor, left, hands off to running back LeSean McCoy during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) takes the snap during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) talks to wide receiver Brandin Cooks (14) as they warm up before an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, right, greets players as they warm up before an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) talks to wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) as they warm up before an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
The New England Patriots stand during the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
The New England Patriots cheerleaders perform wearing Christmas outfits before an NFL football game between the Patriots and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
The New England Patriots cheerleaders perform wearing Christmas outfits before an NFL football game between the Patriots and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Buffalo Bills defensive back Trae Elston, left, breaks up a pass in the end zone intended for New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, but was penalized for interference, during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Buffalo Bills defensive back Trae Elston, right, breaks up a pass in the end zone intended for New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, but was penalized for interference, during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Esta tarde los Patriots de New England solidificaron su primer lugar en la conferencia tras lograr su 12ava victoria de la temporada y su segunda en 3 semanas frente a los Bills, tras derrotarlos 37-16 esta tarde en el Gillette Stadium.
Un triunfo holgado que tomó tiempo en concebirse.
La defensa de los Patriots inicialmente tuvo dificultades para detener a la ofensiva de los Bills que sumaba puntos tantos por aire como por tierra. Al inicio la defensa del coordinador Matt Patricia se veía frustrada al no poder evitar que los Bills convirtieran en jugadas de tercer down. Situaciones en las que los visitantes completaron y movieron las cadenas en 7 de 11 ocasiones durante los primeros dos cuartos del partido.
Era claro que los Pats sentían la ausencia del DT Alan Branch y el LB Kyle Van Noy para poder controlar el juego poco ortodoxo que realizaba el QB de los Bills Tyrod Taylor y su gran corredor LeSean McCoy. A pesar de esas ausencias los Patriots pudieron ejercer presión en el QB Taylor quien acabó siendo capturado en 3 ocasiones durante esos primeros 30 minutos.
El QB de los Bills, Tyrod Taylor, acabó su actuación en la primera mitad completando 12 de 22 pases para 153 yardas, mientras que su RB McCoy sumó 43 yardas en 9 acarreos.
Brady con poca fortuna en el ataque
Por su parte la ofensiva de New England no hacía mucho para ayudar a su defensa. Brady tenía dificultades para imponer marchas extensas, completando en solo 3 de 7 oportunidades en situaciones de tercer down.
Vale resaltar que a mediados del segundo cuarto de juego, Rob Gronkowski logró una excelente recepción con una mano tras un pase de touchdown de Brady de 17 yardas. Era la 75ava ocasión que Brady conectaba con el popular Gronk para una anotación.
"Fue una gran atrapada. Fue espectacular. Era cobertura personal. Estaba tratando de darle un pase detrás del hombro y probablemente fue unos 30 centímetros más atrás de lo que quería. Él es un jugador increíble. Hizo la atrapada y mantuvo sus pies dentro; fue una gran jugada durante el partido", explicó Brady acerca de ese TD.
controversia
Una primera mitad que acabó con controversia después que el WR de los Bills, Kelvin Benjamin, anotara un TD tras un pase de Taylor de 4 yardas, anotación que inicialmente fue dada por válida pero que terminó siendo anulada, una decisión controversial que los árbitros intentaron explicar después del partido:
"Cuando el receptor tuvo control del balón, él no pudo mantener los dos pies dentro del campo. La parte trasera de su pie estaba fuera y salió fuera del campo. El no pudo controlarlo firmemente solo hasta cuando ya tenía un pie fuera del campo", dijo el árbitro Craig Wrolstad.
La segunda mitad nos traería un partido diferente.
A pesar que los Bills fueran los primeros en abrir el marcador con un gol de campo (poniendo el marcador 16-13 a su favor) los Patriots empezaron a funcionar como reloj suizo.
Para ello Brady contó con la principal colaboración de Dion Lewis, el pequeño corredor fue el hombre de la noche al anotar un touchdown por el aire y otro por tierra. Más importante aún, el corredor terminó su gran actuación acarreando en 24 ocasiones para 129 yardas (récord personal) y receptando 5 balones para 24 yardas.
"La pasé muy bien, es víspera de Navidad y estar allí con un gran grupo de chicos, estoy feliz de haber ganado…Estoy agradecido por la oportunidad que me dieron hoy. Mi papel es un poco diferente de lo que usualmente es y solo debo aprovechar", dijo el RB a los medios.
En esta segunda mitad Rob Gronkowski también contribuyó con otras buenas recepciones, acabando su tarde con 5 recepciones para 67 yardas y 1 TD. Una gran demostración de fútbol del TE que luce imparable en estas semanas.
"Es la época del año, estamos después del Día de Acción de Gracias y es cuando los juegos realmente cuentan. Fue una gran victoria. ¿Tú crees que el triunfo frente a los Steelers fue muy importante? Esta es una victoria de la misma magnitud", dijo el ala cerrada.
La defensa encontró su ritmo
Al igual que la ofensiva, la defensa encontró su curso y pudo devolver el balón más rápida y frecuentemente a su ofensiva.
"En la primera mitad no podíamos salir en el tercer down pero mejoramos y fuimos disciplinados en la presión, tanto en el juego de pase como en la carrera. Poder salir en situaciones de tercer down nos ayudó mucho en la segunda mitad.
La ofensiva de los Bills solo sumó 33 yardas en la segunda mitad, acabando con un total de 84 yardas. En estos 2 últimos cuartos el QB Taylor solo añadió 128 yardas aéreas, totalizando 281 yardas en el partido.
La defensa de los Patriots capturó un total de 6 veces al QB de los Bills.
