The New England Patriots take on the Seattle Seahawks in a regular season game at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, November 13, 2016.
Fans warm themselves beside a fire while tailgating in the parking lot of Gillette Stadium before an NFL football game between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
George Bloom, from Stoughton, Mass., wears a mask of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady while tailgating in the parking lot of Gillette Stadium before an NFL football game between the Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Fans toss beanbags while tailgating in the parking lot of Gillette Stadium before an NFL football game between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Scott Reed, left, of Boxford, Mass., tends the grill with John Higgins, center, and his son Teddy Reed, right, both of Chicago, while tailgating in the parking lot of Gillette Stadium before an NFL football game between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Mounted Massachusetts State Police officers patrol the parking lot of Gillette Stadium before an NFL football game between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterbacks Jimmy Garoppolo (10) and Tom Brady (12) run onto the field to warm up before an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) yells as he makes his way onto the field prior to an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady shouts as he takes the field to warm up before an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady shouts as he takes the field to warm up before an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady shouts as he takes the field to warm up before an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady shouts as he takes the field to warm up before an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Members and veterans of the U.S. military unfurl an American flag covering the entire field during the National Anthem, part of the Salute to Service military appreciation campaign, before an NFL football game between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
A general view is seen during the singing of the National Anthem prior to an NFL football game between the Seattle Seahawks against the New England Patriots on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady passes against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) runs against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount score a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount celebrates his touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady celebrates a touchdown run by LeGarrette Blount during the first half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady celebrates a touchdown run by LeGarrette Blount during the first half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) passes against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady scrambles against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower (54) chases down Seattle Seahawks running back Christine Michael (32) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick watches from the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Seattle Seahawks safeties Earl Thomas (29) and Kam Chancellor, rear, tackle New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler (21) walks to the sideline after allowing a touchdown catch by Doug Baldwin during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Seattle Seahawks defensive ends Frank Clark (55) and Cliff Avril (56) pressure New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, center, as he tries to pass during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount tosses the ball after scoring a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, left, and head coach Bill Belichick, center, listen to offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, right, on the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, center, talks with his team on the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman, left, tries to elude Seattle Seahawks cornerback DeShawn Shead (35) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) passes as he is dragged down by New England Patriots linebacker Shea McClellin (58) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) catches a pass in front of Seattle Seahawks defenders DeShawn Shead (35) and Earl Thomas (29) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) catches a pass in front of Seattle Seahawks defenders DeShawn Shead (35) and Earl Thomas (29) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett (88) runs away from Seattle Seahawks linebacker K.J. Wright (50) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) catches a pass in front of Seattle Seahawks cornerback DeShawn Shead (35) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
(AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick coaches during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. Seattle won 31-24. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Seattle Seahawks defenders Tony McDaniel, (93), K.J. Wright (50) and Cliff Avril (56) stop New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) at the goal line near the end of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. The Seahawks won 31-24. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
The Seattle Seahawks offensive line lines up against the New England Patriots defensive line during an NFL football game on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. Seattle won 31-24. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) misses a catch in the end zone during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. The Seahawks defeated the Patriots, 31-24. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) walks off the field with his head down during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. The Seahawks defeated the Patriots, 31-24. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) shows his frustration during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. Seattle won 31-24. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, left, and Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll speak at midfield after an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. The Seahawks won 31-24. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady arrives to speak to the media following an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 14, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady speaks to the media following an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 14, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Por segunda vez en la temporada los Patriots de New England cayeron derrotados en su propio estadio, esta vez a manos de los Seattle Seahawks por 31-24.
Un partido de ida y vuelta luchado hasta los segundos finales cuando Brady intenta conectar sin éxito con Rob Gronkowski en una situación de 4 y 1 desde la yarda 1 del rival.
Un juego que se caracterizó por una ofensiva de New England torpe por momentos y una defensa incapaz de poner freno al QB rival Russell Wilson y su juego aéreo.
Ofensivamente parece que la semana de descanso no asentó bien al equipo de los Patriots. Aunque Brady completó 23 de 32 para 316 yardas, por momentos el QB sintió la presión de los pass rushers visitantes quienes le ocasionaron 2 sacks y 4 golpes. Fue en una de esas presiones que el QB su primer error (intercepción) de la temporada al realizar un lanzamiento desafortunado que cae fácilmente a las manos del DB DeShawn Shead.
"No realicé un buen lanzamiento, me hubiera gustado poder hacerlo porque hubiéramos tenido una oportunidad", apuntó Brady.
El WR Julian Edelman tuvo un juego relativamente bueno, 7 de 9 recepciones para 99 yardas son números llamativos, pero el WR fue culpable de un balón suelto recuperado por el CB de Seattle Richard Sherman a mediados del último cuarto de juego. Un costoso error que negó la posibilidad de los Patriots de seguir avanzando cuando se encontraban en la yarda 43 de Seattle.
Este no fue el único balón suelto, los otros fueron un retorno del CB Cyrus Jones (recuperado por Nate Ebner) y uno de Brady (recuperado por él mismo) casi en la línea de gol.
"Definitivamente eso es un problema…Tenemos que encontrar maneras de mejorar eso. No podemos seguir entregando el balón al contrario", dijo Belichick
Una destacada labor del TE Martellus Bennett (7 de 7, 102 yardas) quien aprovechó la marcación impuesta en Rob Gronkowski para lograr buenas jugadas.
Gronkowski (3 de 6, 56 yardas) estuvo bien cubierto por los safeties Kam Chancellor y Earl Thomas, este último propinó un fuerte golpe (legal) al TE de New England que casi lo envía a dormir.
"Ciertamente ese fue un golpe fuerte. Probablemente uno de los más duros que he recibido en mi carrera…Pero fue un golpe bueno y limpio", afirmó el TE.
El juego de carrera estuvo acertado al comando de LeGarrette Blount, el RB fue una de las figuras de la noche corriendo con el balón en 21 oportunidades para 69 yardas y 3 TDs.
Defensivamente las cosas salieron mal, salvo un decente juego de pass rushing del LB Trey Flowers (2 sacks) y Rob Ninkovich (1 sack); el resto de la defensa, particularmente la defensa contra el juego aéreo, cayó rendida ante el poderío aéreo de Russell Wilson y sus receptores, quienes jugaron a su antojo a lo largo de la noche.
El QB visitante completó 25 de 37 pases para 348 yardas y anotó 3 TDs.
Una mala actuación de la secundaria de los Patriots que no se limitó a los DBs Justin Coleman y Cyrus Jones, sino que incluyó a jugadores experimentados y de nivel como Malcolm Butler, Logan Ryan y Patrick Chung. Estos dos últimos, responsables de un TD de 18 yardas de Wilson al WR Doug Baldwin. Los DBs confundidos no se encontraban en el lugar correcto y dejaron que el WR anotara sin problemas.
"Hay frustración por parte de la defensa porque estuvimos a una o dos jugadas de ganar el juego. Solo tenemos que hacer más para ayudar a la ofensiva", expresó Devin McCourty.
La defensa contra la carrera estuvo aceptable, limitando a los Seahawks a 96 yardas en 26 acarreos.
Conclusión
Un partido muy reñido desde el principio donde volvió a salir a flote las falencias de la defensa que ya habíamos observado a través de la temporada. Errores, falta de entendimiento, penalidades y una ineptitud para evitar las jugadas importantes (y para realizarlas) fueron una constante durante la noche.
Ofensivamente Brady -sin brillar como nos tiene acostumbrados- hizo lo suyo. Algunos errores de la ofensiva combinados con un buen juego de la defensa rival mermaron las posibilidades de triunfo de New England.
Un buen momento para que el equipo ponga las barbas en remojo y ajuste sus líneas. De no hacerlo prontamente, el camino hacia la meta final se hará cada vez más empedrado.
