The New England Patriots take on the Atlanta Falcons in a regular season game at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, October 22, 2017.
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) looks on as he makes his way to the field prior to a week 7 NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady gets pumped up as he runs onto the field before an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady gets pumped up as he runs onto the field before an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady gets pumped up as he runs onto the field before an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady greets members of the U.S. military along the sideline before an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady greets members of the U.S. military along the sideline before an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterbacks Jimmy Garoppolo, left, and Tom Brady speak while warming up before an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, center, and teammates stand during the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, left, passes under pressure from Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Dontari Poe (92) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Atlanta Falcons safety Keanu Neal, rear, tackles New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, right, passes under pressure from Atlanta Falcons linebacker De'Vondre Campbell (59) and safety Keanu Neal (22) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan calls signals at the line of scrimmage during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Deion Jones (45) tackles New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) catches a pass in front of Atlanta Falcons linebacker Duke Riley (42) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. The play was nullified on an offensive pass interference penalty by Gronkowski. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) catches a pass in front of Atlanta Falcons linebacker Duke Riley (42) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. The play was nullified on an offensive pass interference penalty by Gronkowski. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Atlanta Falcons safety Keanu Neal (22) tackles New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Atlanta Falcons kicker Matt Bryant (3) attempts a field goal, which was blocked, during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Atlanta Falcons and New England Patriots players scramble for the ball after the Patriots blocked a field goal attempt during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, right, celebrates his touchdown pass to Brandin Cooks during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, right, celebrates his touchdown pass to Brandin Cooks, left, during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots wide receiver Brandin Cooks runs for the goal and a touchdown after catching a pass from Tom Brady during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots wide receiver Brandin Cooks, center, follows Rob Gronkowski (87) toward the goal line and a touchdown after catching a pass from Tom Brady during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots wide receiver Brandin Cooks, center, follows Rob Gronkowski (87) toward the goal line and a touchdown after catching a pass from Tom Brady during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots wide receiver Brandin Cooks dives across the goal line for a touchdown after catching a pass from Tom Brady during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots wide receiver Brandin Cooks, left, celebrates his touchdown catch of a pass from Tom Brady during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) passes under pressure from New England Patriots defensive end Deatrich Wise, left, during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots defensive tackle Adam Butler celebrates after sacking Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots defensive tackle Adam Butler, right, sacks Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady signals to a receiver as he rolls out to pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady passes under pressure from Atlanta Falcons linebacker De'Vondre Campbell (59) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots defenders stop Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman (24) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady gets a lift from center David Andrews to celebrate his touchdown pass to James White during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick watches from the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski, right, watches his field goal against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Fog hovers over the field during the first half of an NFL football game between the New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) catches a pass as Atlanta Falcons linebacker De'Vondre Campbell (59) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) catches a pass as Atlanta Falcons linebacker De'Vondre Campbell defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady passes against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Fog settles over the field as side judge Adrian Hill works along the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game between the New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots safety Patrick Chung, left, and cornerback Johnson Bademosi (29) defend as Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones goes up for a pass during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler (21) celebrates in the end zone with teammates after breaking up a pass intended for Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots running back Rex Burkhead runs as Atlanta Falcons cornerback Robert Alford, rear, defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots running back Rex Burkhead, front, runs from Atlanta Falcons defenders during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady passes against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia talks to players as they warm up before an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones, left, makes a touchdown catch over New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler (21) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) runs in the fog as Atlanta Falcons defensive back Blidi Wreh-Wilson (33) pursues during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
(Editors note: Image has been converted to Black and White) A general view of play is seen during a week 7 NFL football game between the Atlanta Falcons against the New England Patriots Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. New England won 23-7. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, left, and New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, right, speak at midfield after an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, left, and New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, right, speak at midfield after an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, left, and New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, right, speak at midfield after an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, center, leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady talks to teammates on the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) celebrates during a week 7 NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. New England won 23-7. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady speaks to the media following an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Monday, Oct. 23, 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 Atlanta Falcons, Monday, Oct. 23, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady speaks to the media following an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Monday, Oct. 23, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady checks his phone as he waits to speak to the media following an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Monday, Oct. 23, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski speaks to the media following an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Monday, Oct. 23, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) celebrates during an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots defeated the Falcons, 23-7. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws from the pocket during an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots defeated the Falcons, 23-7. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Esta noche los Patriots lograron una clara y contundente victoria de 23-7 frente a los Falcons de Atlanta, en el partido jugado en el Gillette Stadium frente a 65,878 espectadores.
"Estoy orgulloso de nuestro equipo de football esta noche…Contamos con la contribución de todos. Jugamos un football complementario, no siempre fue perfecto pero jugamos duro y competimos por 60 minutos", dijo Belichick en su conferencia.
Un triunfo que trajo como mayor novedad el despertar de la defensa.
Una defensa que había sido castigada y criticada, finalmente dio muestras de su capacidad cuando el poderoso juego aéreo de Matt Ryan fue limitado a 233 yardas aéreas. El QB visitante completó 23 de 33 pases logrando solo 1 TD. Su mejor receptor, Julio Jones, consiguió 9 de 13 recepciones para 99 yardas y 1 TD.
"Este es un buen paso hacia adelante para nosotros, dejándonos saber que podemos jugar un buen football por 60 minutos", dijo el DB Duron Harmon, el principal encargado de cubrir a Jones.
Esta era la primera vez en la temporada que la defensa de los Patriots contienen a una ofensiva a menos de 300 yardas.
Un buen trabajo defensivo por parte de una secundaria que no contó (una vez más) con dos de sus titulares: Eric Rowe (ingle) y Stephon Gilmore (conmociono cerebral). El CB Johnson Bademosi, un jugador más conocido por su contribución con los equipos especiales, logró por segunda semana consecutiva, otra solida actuación en la secundaria.
"No permitimos jugadas importantes, tacleamos bien, y competimos de principio a fin, jugando bien en ofensiva, defensa y equipos especiales", señaló el CB Malcom Butler al final del partido.
Un buen trabajo que se extendió en cada zona de la defensa. El juego de carrera de los visitantes fue controlado acertadamente siendo limitados a 120 yardas en 22 intentos.
Otra buena labor del linebacker Kyle van Noy quien está temiendo más y mejores participaciones con el equipo. El LB logró una de las jugadas más significativas de la noche cuando en una situación de 4 y 1, hizo retroceder al WR Taylor Gabriel y hacerlo perder 5 yardas en el intento.
Al final de la noche los Falcons solo completaron 2 de 9 ocasiones en situaciones de tercer down y 1 de 3 en situaciones de cuarto down
"Si quieres ganar juegos, tienes que poder detener en tercer 'down' y todos saben eso. Tenemos que hacer eso como defensa", señaló Johnson Bedemosi.
Una ofensiva con doble ataque
Tras un comienzo confuso y accidentado (múltiples penalidades por ambas partes), Tom Brady y su ofensiva logró asentarse y desarrollar un ataque balanceado. Como es su costumbre, el QB distribuyó el balón entre sus múltiples receptores, resaltando Chris Hogan (4 recepciones, 71 yardas), Brandin Cooks (4 recepciones, 65 yardas, 1 TD) y Rob Gronkowski (3 recepciones y 51 yardas).
Salvo al comienzo del partido (en donde el QB fue capturado y en otra ocasión golpeado ilícitamente) Brady contó con una buena protección, terminando su jornada completando 21 de 29 pases para 249 yardas y 2 TD. El QB fue capturado en 2 ocasiones y solo recibió 2 golpes.
"Creo que todos estuvieron enfocados y todos hicieron un gran trabajo concentrándose en lo que necesitaban hacer", remarcó Brady en su conferencia.
El mariscal de campo de los Pats balanceó su ataque aéreo con un efectivo juego de carrera liderado por Dion Lewis (13 acarreos, 76 yardas). En este juego de carrera por comité, los Patriots también contaron con su RB Rex Burkhead quien hizo su regreso después de haber estado ausente desde la semana 2 de la temporada.
"Fue divertido estar de regreso con los chicos. Fue una gran victoria de equipo. Cuando se tiene esa versatilidad [en el juego de carrera] eso realmente nos ayuda como ofensiva, como unidad. Eso nos gusta y competimos el uno contra el otro; pero igualmente nos apoyamos y celebramos el éxito del compañero", contó Burkhead.
Este juego de carrera complementario y eficiente terminó su actuación totalizando 162 yardas en 36 acarreos.
"Hicimos un gran trabajo manteniéndonos balanceados esta noche y acarreamos muy bien el balón, muy eficientemente. Los chicos corrieron duro y nosotros realmente necesitábamos eso. Por eso fue muy bueno pasarles el balón y verlos correr de la manera en que lo hicieron" dijo Brady en su conferencia.
En los equipos especiales, el DE Cassius Marsh contribuyó con un gol de campo bloqueado que arrancó una sonrisa y gesto de su entrenador.
Resumiendo
Un buen triunfo con una buena actuación del equipo en general. Finalmente se logró realizar un football complementario, lo cual es clave para alcanzar cosas mejores y mayores. Esperemos que este solo sea el inicio y que sigamos viendo cómo este equipo va de menos a más en busca de ser uno de los más serios protagonistas de la temporada.
