The New England Patriots take on the Houston Texans in a regular season game at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, September 24, 2017.
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, right, trades high-five's with New running back Brandon Bolden (38) before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) warms up by blocking Patriots defensive end Cassius Marsh (55) before an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, left, gives a fist bump with quarterback Tom Brady before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan (15) and quarterback Tom Brady (12) speak during warm-up's before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
New England Patriots wide receiver Brandin Cooks (14) catches a pass as Houston Texans cornerback Johnthan Banks (33) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski spikes the ball after catching a touchdown pass against the Houston Texans rduring the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, rear, catches a touchdown pass behind Houston Texans safety Corey Moore (43) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) celebrates his touchdown pass to tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Houston Texans linebacker Benardrick McKinney, left, and safety Andre Hal, right, tackle New England Patriots running back James White (28) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, right, catches a touchdown pass in front of Houston Texans safety Corey Moore during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, right, catches a touchdown pass in front of Houston Texans safety Corey Moore during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) takes a snap during the first half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) passes under pressure from Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) passes under pressure from Houston Texans defenders during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore (24) runs from Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) after intercepting a pass the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, left, celebrates his touchdown pass to Chris Hogan, right, during the first half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick speaks to an NFL worker on the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) catches a touchdown pass in front of Houston Texans safety Corey Moore (43) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) scrambles away from pressure by Houston Texans linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (90) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan (15) stretches for the goal line and a touchdown as he is tackled by Houston Texans safety Andre Hal (29) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan runs toward the goal line for a touchdown after catching a pass against the Houston Texans during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, left, celebrates his touchdown pass to wide receiver Brandin Cooks during the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, left, celebrates his touchdown pass to wide receiver Brandin Cooks (14) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
New England Patriots wide receiver Brandin Cooks runs toward the goal line for a touchdown after catching a pass from Tom Brady during the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots wide receiver Brandin Cooks celebrates his touchdown after catching a pass from Tom Brady during the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) drags Houston Texans safety Andre Hal (29) as he runs after catching a pass during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Houston Texans safety Corey Moore (43) tackles New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady talks to teammates on the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
New England Patriots linebacker Kyle Van Noy, left, tackles Houston Texans tight end Ryan Griffin during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady passes against the Houston Texans during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady passes against the Houston Texans during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots wide receiver Brandin Cooks, right, drags his toes as he makes the game-winning catch in the end zone for a touchdown in front of Houston Texans safety Corey Moore, left, during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots won 36-33. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, left, and New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady speak at midfield after an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, left, and New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady speak at midfield after an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, left, and New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady speak at midfield after an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots wide receiver Brandin Cooks (14) celebrates his game-winning touchdown catch against the Houston Texans during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, left, and Houston Texans head coach Bill O'Brien speak at midfield after during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick waves as he walks onto the field after an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Sept. 24, 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 Houston Texans, Sunday, Sept. 24, 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 Houston Texans, Sunday, Sept. 24, 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 Houston Texans, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Los Patriots de New England sumaron su segunda victoria consecutiva tras vencer por 36-33 a los Houston Texans en un partido con un final de infarto.
"Creo que fue un buen triunfo en equipo…Jugamos por 60 minutos, jugamos duro, completamos bien e hicimos las suficientes jugadas al final, apenas las necesarias pero las suficiente para ganar", opinó Belichick al final del partido.
Triunfo de último minuto
Y es que después de un ir y venir en el marcador que tuvo a los Texans adelante por 5 puntos (33-28) faltando 2:28 para el final, el balón regresó a Tom Brady y el mariscal de New England desarrolló una magistral marcha que termina con 29 segundos en el reloj, cuando el QB conecta un pase de touchdown de 25 yardas con el receptor Brandin Cooks. Con el marcador adelante 34-33, Brady y su ofensiva optan por la conversión de 2 puntos, la cual termina exitosamente con otra recepción de Cooks. De esta manera los Patriots se ponen a 3 puntos de ventaja a solo 23 segundos del final, marcador que sería el definitivo: 36-33.
"Esa fue una gran jugada…No hicimos mucho durante el último cuarto de juego y nuestra defensa los contuvo a un gol de campo, dejándonos el tiempo suficiente. Logramos grandes recepciones, buenos bloqueos, estoy contento de haber ganado", dijo Brady en su conferencia.
El QB de New England fue sin duda la figura del partido (25 de 35 pases para 378 yardas y 5 TDs), una actuación resaltante con un final impresionante, que no estuvo libre de errores o limitaciones. Sus 5 capturas sufridas nos indica la dificultad que tuvo su línea ofensiva para contener a los peligrosos pass rushers del equipo de Houston.
En una ocasión el LB Withney Mercilus vence a Nate Solder y logra capturar a Brady, el QB deja el balón suelto, el cual es recuperado y llevado a la zona de anotación por el LB Jadeveon Clowney.
A pesar de la presión, el QB de New England logró conectar con varias de sus armas aéreas.
los receptores Contribuyeron
Brandin Cooks no solo fue el autor de las 2 últimas anotaciones del partido, sino también receptó un pase de 44 yardas durante los minutos iniciales del partido, al final de su faena Cooks logró 5 recepciones para 131 yardas y 2 TDs.
"Tom Brady hizo un lanzamiento especial, y yo estaba allí esperando", dijo Cooks acerca de su touchdown de la victoria.
Otro de los protagonistas (particularmente en la primera mitad) fue el WR Chris Hogan quien totalizó 4 recepciones para 68 yardas y 2 anotaciones, números en donde se incluye la recepción más larga de la tarde (47 yardas).
"Teníamos mucha energía [al final] y sabemos de lo que somos capaces. Sabemos que podemos hacer nuestro trabajo bien y realizar buenas jugadas", comentó Hogan.
El ala cerrada Rob Gronkowski fue otro de los que sumaron para sacar adelante este partido, Gronk receptó 8 balones para 89 yardas y 1 TD.
"Definitivamente que la victoria nos junta como equipo. Jugar 60 minutos de football –desde el lado de la defensa y de la ofensiva, todos lo hicimos [al final]"
Lo mismo hizo el aguerrido Danny Amendola quien volvió después de una semana de ausencia (conmoción cerebral) para contribuir con 3 recepciones para 48 yardas.
"Tengo un trabajo por hacer cuando estoy allí en el campo. Se sintió muy bien estando de regreso", dijo Amendola.
El juego de carrera de New England no fue un factor en el partido, sumando 59 yardas en 20 acarreos.
LA DEFENSA CON PROBLEMAS
La defensa de los Patriots no tuvo mucha fortuna esta tarde. El novato Deshaun Watson logró desarrollar su juego efectivo y escurridizo a lo largo del partido. El QB conectó con 8 diferentes receptores totalizando 22 pases para 301 yardas, 2 TD y 2 capturas.
Watson lograba continuas escapadas que se traducían en pases o en corridas personales, el QB terminó con 8 carreras y 41 yardas personales. Una peligrosidad a la hora de salir de su bolsillo de protección que puso de cabeza a la defensa de los Patriots. DE Deatrich Wise, LB Kyle Van Noy y LB Elandon Roberts tuvieron mucha dificultad para contener sus escapadas.
A pesar de lograr una intercepción, el CB Stephon Gilmore no tuvo un buen partido. Dos faltas al WR DeAndre Hopkins costaron 34 yardas y 28 yardas. Jonathan Jones fue el responsable de un TD (el del WR Bruce Elington).
PARTIDO LEJOS DE PERFECTO
En resumen un partido con jugadas y acciones heroicas pero también con muchas pérdidas de balón y fallas defensiva. Capturas y balones sueltos (4 por parte de los Patriots y 2 de los Texans) dieron como resultado campos cortos, muchas anotaciones y un partido sufrido pero entretenido.
Aún hay mucho que hacer, hay muchas zonas del campo donde las cosas no funcionan del todo bien. Felizmente la victoria de hoy hará más llevadero el proceso de corregir errores y de prepararse para el próximo rival.
