The New England Patriots take on the Houston Texans in a Divisional Playoff game at Gillette Stadium on Saturday, January 14, 2017.
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) looks on as he makes his way to the field prior to an NFL AFC divisional playoff football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, 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 divisional playoff football game against the Houston Texans, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, 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 divisional playoff football game against the Houston Texans, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, 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 divisional playoff football game against the Houston Texans, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels walk together during warm-ups before an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Houston Texans, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia speaks with wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) during warm-ups before an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Houston Texans, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Houston Texans nose tackle Vince Wilfork (75) speaks to New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft before an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick watches his team warm up before an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Houston Texans, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan (15) and quarterback Tom Brady (12) trade high-fives before an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Houston Texans, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, left, speaks to Houston Texans head coach Bill O'Brien before an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) leads his team onto the field before an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Houston Texans, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Fireworks are ignited before an NFL divisional playoff football game between the New England Patriots and the Houston Texans, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots defensive end Rob Ninkovich (50) sacks Houston Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower (54) tackles Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Houston Texans defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (90) tackles New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) runs past Houston Texans linebacker Benardrick McKinney (55) for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) celebrates his touchdown with Julian Edelman, center, and LeGarrette Blount, during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Houston Texans, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) looks for a receiver under pressure from the Houston Texans defense during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) celebrates his touchdown pass to Dion Lewis during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Houston Texans, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) passes under pressure from Houston Texans defensive tackle Joel Heath (93) during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) runs for a touchdown against the Houston Texans during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) runs ahead of Houston Texans linebacker Brian Peters (52) for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots cornerback Logan Ryan, right, sacks Houston Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots defensive back Devin McCourty (32) breaks up a pass in the end zone intended for Houston Texans tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz (87) during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) celebrates a touchdown with teammates on the sideline during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Houston Texans, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Houston Texans linebacker Akeem Dent (50) and defensive back Eddie Pleasant (35) stop New England Patriots fullback James Develin (46) short of the goal line during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Houston Texans defensive back Eddie Pleasant (35) stops New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) at the goal line during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) tries to shake free from Houston Texans cornerback Kareem Jackson (25) after catching a pass during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) runs against the Houston Texans during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) runs from Houston Texans defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (90) during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
A member of the End Zone Militia celebrates a New England Patriots touchdown during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Houston Texans, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots running back James White (28) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Houston Texans during the second half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots running back James White (28) celebrates his touchdown catch with Martellus Bennett, left, during the second half of an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Houston Texans, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots running back James White (28) catches a touchdown pass in front of Houston Texans linebacker Benardrick McKinney (55) during the second half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots running back James White (28) catches a touchdown pass in front of Houston Texans linebacker Benardrick McKinney (55) during the second half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan catches a pass against the Houston Texans during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Houston Texans linemen Duane Brown (76) and Xavier Su'a-Filo (71) protect quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) from rushing New England Patriots defenders during the second half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Houston Texans defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (90) levels New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) after Brady released a pass during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots guard Joe Thuney (62) and quarterback Tom Brady (12) signal touchdown after running back Dion Lewis scored against the Houston Texans during the second half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) scores a touchdown against the Houston Texans during the second half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) signals a first down during an NFL AFC divisional playoff football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. New England won 34-16. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) and Houston Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) pass at midfield after an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady leaves the field after an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Houston Texans, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady leaves the field after the Patriots defeated the Houston Texans 34-16 in an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Houston Texans nose tackle Vince Wilfork leaves the field after an NFL divisional playoff football game against the New England Patriots, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady speaks to the media following an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Houston Texans, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady arrives to speak to the media following an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Houston Texans, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, left, and Houston Texans head coach Bill O'Brien speak at midfield after an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots runningbacks coach Ivan Fears celebrates as he leaves the field after defeating the Houston Texans 34-16 in an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Houston Texans defensive back Corey Moore (43) and New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick speak at midfield after an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) leaves the field after an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Houston Texans, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler (21) leaves the field after an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Houston Texans, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots wide receiver Matthew Slater (18) leaves the field after an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Houston Texans, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick waits his turn to speak to the media following an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Houston Texans, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick speaks to the media following an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Houston Texans, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick shakes hands with defensive back Devin McCourty after he spoke to the media following an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Houston Texans, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots defensive back Devin McCourty speaks to the media following an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Houston Texans, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots defensive back Devin McCourty speaks to the media following an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Houston Texans, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Tras una regular actuación, los Patriots de New England avanzaron al juego de Campeonato de la AFC al vencer esta noche a los Texans por 34-16.
"Fue bueno ganar este partido y poder continuar [al próximo juego]. Tienes que darle mucho crédito a los chicos ya que a pesar de no jugar bien, se mantuvieron en la lucha y terminamos realizando las jugadas suficientes", admitió Belichick en su conferencia.
Un marcador que a primera vista refleja un dominio de los Patriots pero que en realidad esconde un mediocre partido realizado por New England, equipo que solo levantó su nivel de manera continua en los minutos finales.
"Estuvimos inconsistentes toda la noche. No hicimos lo suficiente en ninguna área, pero ellos tienen una buena defensa…Tenían un buen esquema y estaban preparados, jugaron bien", dijo Brady.
Actuación deslucida
Solo basta revisar las estadísticas de la primera mitad para entender un poco de lo ocurrido. Posesión del balón favoreció a los Texans 18:40 contra 11:20 de los Patriots. Eficiencia de tercer down de los Pats: 3 de 7 o 43%, penalidades 2 para 25 yardas, 1 balón suelto. Brady completando solo 8 de 13 pases para 145 yardas, 1 TD y 1 INT. Marcador 17-13 a favor de los Patriots a la hora de irse al descanso.
Números que resumen una pobre primera mitad que se extendió hasta inicios del último cuarto de juego cuando los Texans entran a los últimos 15 minutos del partido con una desventaja de solo 8 puntos.
Para sorpresa de propios y extraños, el equipo de Houston llega a último cuarto a solo un marcador de empatar.
Empieza la recuperación
Cuando los nervios y la tensión empezaban a apoderarse de los fanáticos de New England, el CB Logan Ryan logra interceptar un pase largo del QB Brock Oswelier y tras correr por 23 yardas, entrega el balón a Brady en la yarda 3. El QB vuelve a contar con Dion Lewis quien acaba anotando su tercer touchdown de la noche poniendo el marcador 31-16.
Lewis, el hombre de los records
Esta anotación lo convierte en el 5to jugador en la historia de los Pats en anotar 3 TDs en postemporada. Igualmente Lewis consigue otro record, es el primer jugador en la historia de la NFL, en juegos de postemporada, en anotar 1 TD de carrera, otro de recepción y otro con los equipos especiales.
El diminuto RB completo su faena de la siguiente manera: 13 acarreos, 41 yd, 1 TD; 2 recepciones, 23 yd, 1 TD; y con los equipos especiales: 3 regresos, 124 yd, 1 TD (donde está incluido su regreso de TD de 98 yardas). Lewis también cometió 2 balones sueltos (1 recuperado).
"Siento que fue el peor partido de mi carrera como futbolista porque cometí 2 balones sueltos y puse a mi equipo en una mala posición", relató Lewis a los medios.
La estocada final
Ya con el tiempo convirtiéndose en un factor (12:16 para el final), Houston intenta mover las cadenas pero termina rápidamente devolviendo el balón a New England. Brady realiza una marcha de 10 jugadas, 43 yardas y 3:45 que termina en gol de campo de Stephen Gostkowski (43 yardas) que extiende la ventaja a 34-16.
Los Texans intentan desesperadamente cortar distancias en el marcador pero sus deseos se ven frustrados después que el DB Duron Harmon logra una intercepción en su propia yarda 3 y lleva el balón hasta la yarda 34; de esta manera termina por sepultar cualquier posibilidad de reacción del equipo visitante.
"Yendo al medio tiempo nos miramos y nos dijimos: 'tenemos que jugar mejor, hacer lo que estamos supuestos a hacer y hacer que se ganen las cosas', eso fue lo que hicimos, hicimos un mejor trabajo", dijo McCourty en su conferencia.
Costosas faltas
Sin duda un opaco desempeño atípico del equipo de New England. Balones sueltos (3), penalidades (5 para 50 yardas), 2 sacks y constante presión a Brady que demuestran que la línea ofensiva no estuvo al nivel acostumbrado. Una actuación que dista mucho del equipo que estamos acostumbrados a ver.
Brady terminó su actuación completando 18 de 38 pases para 287 yardas, 2 TDs, 2 INT, 2 sacks, 8 golpes recibidos.
Bien los receptores
Vale mencionar que dentro de lo irregular del juego realizado por la ofensiva de los Patriots, además del RB Lewis resultaron dos receptores: Julian Edelman (8 de 13, 137 yd) y WR Chris Hogan (4 de 4, 95 yd).
"No puedes mencionar un jugador u otro. Es un triunfo en equipo…Tuvimos que seguir jugando y encontrar algo, y pudimos lograrlo", opinó Edelman en el vestuario.
La defensa de New England hizo su parte con 3 capturas y 3 intercepciones, las cuales llegaron en los momentos más claves del partido y que dio pie para la recuperación de la ofensiva.
Conclusión
Un partido que deja en la boca sabor a poco. Una deslucida actuación que deberá mejorar la próxima semana ya que, sea cual sea el equipo que venga al Gillette, este no cometerá los mismos errores que los realizados por el inexperto equipo de Houston.
No hay razón para preocuparse, solo hay que corregir los errores y estar listos para el juego más importante del año, el juego que, de salir vencedores, nos llevará al máximo evento del fútbol americano, el Super Bowl. Talento sobra, solo hay que reagruparse y retomar la compostura, hay tiempo para ello.
