The New England Patriots take on the New York Jets in a regular season game at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, December 31, 2017.
A big pile of snow sits in the parking lot of Gillette Stadium before an NFL football game between the New England Patriots and the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady warms up before an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski warms his hands during workouts before an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick watches his team warm up before an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
A thermometer in the runway displays a temperature in the teens as New York Jets tackle Ben Ijalana (71) and defensive end Xavier Cooper (75) take the field for an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, left, drops back to pass as New York Jets defensive end Leonard Williams (92) rushes the line during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis, top, dives over New York Jets safety Marcus Maye for the goal line and a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis, top, dives over New York Jets safety Marcus Maye for the goal line and a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) congratulates running back Dion Lewis (33) on his rushing touchdown against the New York Jetsduring the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots linebackers James Harrison (92) and Elandon Roberts (52) tackle New York Jets running back Elijah McGuire (25) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New York Jets linebacker Demario Davis (56) tackles New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New York Jets cornerback Juston Burris (32) tackles New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola after a reception in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick watches from the sideline while bundled against the cold weather during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) calls signals at the line of scrimmage during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) passes over pressure from New York Jets defensive end Leonard Williams (92) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis, center, gains yardage between New York Jets cornerback Buster Skrine (41) and linebacker Demario Davis (56) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia watches from the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady keeps limber on the sideline in the cold weather during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots tackle Cameron Fleming spikes the ball after Dion Lewis scored a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, left, celebrates his touchdown pass to wide receiver Brandin Cooks, right, during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots linebacker James Harrison, left, tries to fight through a block by New York Jets wide receiver Jermaine Kearse during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia watches from the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels watches from the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady passes against the New York Jets during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady scrambles away from New York Jets linebacker Demario Davis (56) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Dion Lewis (AP)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady watches from the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New York Jets safety Rontez Miles, left, reaches for New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) after a reception during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New York Jets nose tackle Steve McLendon (99) puts pressure on New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New York Jets cornerback Buster Skrine (41) tackles New England Patriots wide receiver Brandin Cooks (14) after a catch during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski (3) follows through on a kick as punter Ryan Allen (6) holds during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) runs from New York Jets safety Rontez Miles (45) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots defensive lineman Eric Lee, right, sacks New York Jets quarterback Bryce Petty in the end zone for a safety during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots defensive lineman Eric Lee, left, sacks New York Jets quarterback Bryce Petty in the end zone for a safety during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New York Jets safety Jamal Adams (33) and cornerback Buster Skrine (41) tackle New England Patriots running back Brandon Bolden, center, during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick walks the sideline bundled against the cold weather during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
James Harrison (AP)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick watches from the sideline while bundled against the cold weather during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots linebacker James Harrison (92) is congratulated by members of the End Zone Militia after an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New York Jets safety Rontez Miles (45) and New England Patriots linebacker James Harrison (92) speak at midfield after an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New York Jets quarterback Bryce Petty (9) and New England Patriots center David Andrews (60) speak at midfield after an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady speaks to the media following following an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady speaks to the media following following an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots safety Devin McCourty arrives to speak to the media following an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots safety Devin McCourty speaks to the media following an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Esta tarde, víspera de Año Nuevo, los Patriots lograron su 13va victoria de la temporada al vencer a los Jets de New York por 26-6. Con este triunfo el equipo de Belichick aseguró el primer lugar de la Conferencia Americana, y con ello, el derecho de jugar de locales a lo largo de su participación en los playoffs.
"De ninguna manera fue perfecto, pero tuvimos muchas contribuciones de gente que apareció en situaciones que debían. Es bueno tener 13 triunfos, no es fácil pero estos chicos lo lograron. Espero el momento de empezar la 'segunda temporada', y ver cómo va eso", señaló Belichick en su conferencia.
Por su parte Brady señaló:
"Es bueno ganar al final del año. Empezamos 2-2 y 13-3 es bastante bueno, y también ser el primer sembrado. Nuestros juegos más importantes están frente a nosotros".
Las acciones
Un partido jugado bajo un clima extremo. Los aproximadamente 8°F (-13°C) de temperatura marcaron un nuevo récord en juegos de temporada regular.
"El juego frente a Tennessee estuvo frio, frente Pittsburgh fue realmente frio y este estuvo en ese nivel", opinó Brady en su conferencia.
Fue un partido de baja calidad en donde todo se decidió en la primera mitad
El equipo de Belichick salió al campo con la espada desenvainada. No solo eligieron recibir el balón al ganar el volado (o moneda al aire), sino que Brady y su ofensiva realizaron una serie inicial agresiva que incluyó una jugada de 4 y 2 (desde la yarda 21 de los Jets) y que finalizó con una anotación de Dion Lewis de 3 yardas.
Cuando todo parecía ir sobre ruedas para la ofensiva, esta sucumbió en la mediocridad que duró hasta llegar a los últimos minutos de la primera mitad.
Faltando 8:37 para ir al descanso Brady logra finalmente liderar una marcha 10 jugadas y 73 yardas que finalizó en touchdown de Brandin Cooks, después que este recibiera un pase de Brady de 5 yardas.
A continuación, los Jets otra vez inoperantes, salen del campo tras solo 3 jugadas (2:09). Brady y su ofensiva vuelven a mover las cadenas para anotar a través de un pase corto de 5 yardas a Dion Lewis. Una marcha de 9 jugadas y 58 yardas y ponerse 21-3.
Durante esta primera mitad la defensa hizo lo suyo 'doblegándose, pero no rompiéndose', limitando a los Jets a solo un gol de campo (y otro fallado).
Una segunda mitad poco trascendente
El linebacker James Harrison hizo su debut con el equipo y dejó sentir su presencia. Al comienzo del tercer cuarto el LB evita que los Jets muevan las cadenas cuando en una jugada de 3 y 5 logra detener al WR Robby Anderson quien solo recepta para 2 yardas.
"Siento como que dejamos algunas jugadas ahí, pero en general estoy complacido por lo que logramos", dijo el nuevo LB del equipo.
La defensa también consiguió un safety cuando faltaban 6:11 en el último cuarto. El QB de los Jets, Bryce Petty, es capturado en su zona de anotación por el DL de los Patriots Eric Lee.
La defensa de New England logró capturar 2 veces al QB de New York quien finalizó su actuación completando 19 de 36 pases para 232 yardas y 0 TD.
En general, la ofensiva de New England solo tuvo chispazos de buen juego. Brady y compañía estuvieron lejos de sus mejores actuaciones.
"Solo tenemos que continuar y ejecutar mejor. Y creo que somos capaces de hacer eso", dijo Brady acerca del juego irregular de la ofensiva.
El QB de New England terminó su discreta actuación completando 18 de 37 pases para 190 yardas y 2 TDs. Brady fue capturado en 2 ocasiones.
Sus armas favoritas fueron Dion Lewis (6 recepciones, 40 yardas, 1 TD), Brandin Cooks (5 recepciones, 79 yardas, 1 TD) y Danny Amendola (4 recepciones, 43 yardas).
Rob Gronkowski no tuvo mayor participación, acabando con 0 recepciones.
El juego terrestre fue efectivo, sumando 147 yardas y 1 TD en total. Como es costumbre, el RB Dion Lewis fue el líder del grupo de corredores con 93 yardas y 1 TD.
Resumiendo
Un partido jugado en condiciones extremas donde el clima fue un factor. Una actuación sobria del equipo de New England que ahora, al haber asegurado el primer lugar de la conferencia, solo le resta esperar para saber cuál será el equipo que visitará el Gillette en 13 o 14 días.
Ahora el equipo hace una pequeña pausa antes de regresar a los entrenamientos, aquí todos tienen bien en claro que esto recién comienza.
