The New England Patriots take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in a regular season game at Heinz Field on Sunday, October 23, 2016.
The sunshines on Heinz Field before an NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New England Patriots in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) walks on the field before warm ups for an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) warms up before an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) sits on the bench before warm ups for an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
New England Patriots quarterbacks Tom Brady (12) and Jimmy Garoppolo (10) walk to the field before an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II, right, visits with New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft before an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick walks onto the field before an NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New England Patriots in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) takes the field for an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) scrambles during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Jared Wickerham)
New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan (15) is hit by Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Jarvis Jones (95) who forces a fumble during the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Jared Wickerham)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Xavier Grimble (85) is tackled by New England Patriots strong safety Patrick Chung (23) during the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
New England Patriots running back James White (28) celebrates his touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) is upended by Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Lawrence Timmons (94) during the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Jared Wickerham)
New England Patriots running back James White (28) celebrates his touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) slides a the end of a run during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Jared Wickerham)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) lines up against New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler (21) during the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Jared Wickerham)
New England Patriots running back James White (28) celebrates his touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) is upended by Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Lawrence Timmons (94) during the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Jared Wickerham)
New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) scores during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) passes during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick stands on the sidelines during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown, right, and New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler (21) are broken up by an official during the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Jared Wickerham)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell (26) is gang tackled by New England Patriots during the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Jared Wickerham)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) walks onto the field after a timeout during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) is upended by Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Vince Williams (98) during the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Jared Wickerham)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) takes a pass from quarterback Tom Brady behind Pittsburgh Steelers strong safety Robert Golden (21) for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Jared Wickerham)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) celebrates his touchdown with teammates during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Jared Wickerham)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, right, holds teammate Danny Amendola as they celebrate his touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Jared Wickerham)
New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) gets into the end zone for a touchdown past Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Vince Williams (98) during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Jared Wickerham)
New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) gets into the end zone for a touchdown past Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Vince Williams (98) during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Jared Wickerham)
New England Patriots strong safety Patrick Chung (23) breaks up a pass intended for Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell (26) in the end zone during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) celebrates his touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Jared Wickerham)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) celebrates his touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Jared Wickerham)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) celebrates his touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Jared Wickerham)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, right, holds teammate Danny Amendola as they celebrate his touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Jared Wickerham)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) passes during the second half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Jared Wickerham)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) heads to the locker room after a 27-16 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Jared Wickerham)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) talks with Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Landry Jones (3) on the field after an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. The Patriots won 27-16. (AP Photo/Jared Wickerham)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) talks with Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) on the field after an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. The Patriots won 27-16. (AP Photo/Jared Wickerham)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell (26) is tackled by New England Patriots strong safety Patrick Chung (23) during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. The Patriots won 27-16. (AP Photo/Jared Wickerham)
New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) celebrates in the end zone after scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Jared Wickerham)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady talks during a press conference following an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016, in Pittsburgh. New England won 27-16.(AP Photo/Don Wright)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski talks during a press conference following an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016, in Pittsburgh. New England won 27-16.(AP Photo/Don Wright)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick talks during a press conference following an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016, in Pittsburgh. New England won 27-16.(AP Photo/Don Wright)
Se sabía que iba a ser un juego difícil, y así fue.
Tras jugar un luchado partido a lo largo de los 60 minutos, los Patriots de New England mejoraron su record a 6-1 tras alzarse con la victoria por 27-16 frente a los Pittsburgh Steelers en el partido jugado en el Heinz Stadium.
"Es un lugar difícil para jugar. Debemos dar a nuestros jugadores mucho crédito ya que se mantuvieron ahí luchando durante los 4 cuartos. No fue fácil, pero afortunadamente hicimos unas pocas jugadas más que Pittsburgh", comentó Belichick en su conferencia.
Fue un inicio que se veía todo Patriots.
Tras una intercepción lograda por la defensa (después de un fumble tempranero del WR Chris Hogan) Brady comanda 2 sólidas marchas ofensivas de 80 y 84 yardas. Marchas que terminaron en TDs de James White y LeGarrette Blount. Dos rápidas y contundentes anotaciones que hacían presagiar un juego fácil para los dirigidos por Belichick.
"Cuando nuestra ejecución fue buena, logramos muchas buenas jugadas. Pero creo que nos propinamos muchas heridas nosotros mismos y eso nos hizo daño. Pero es bueno venir y lograr la victoria", dijo Brady.
Sin embargo, ofensivamente las cosas no funcionarían durante el resto de la primera mitad ya que Brady solo completó 4 de sus siguientes 9 pases. Dentro de esos pases no completados, se cuentan dos cruciales en situaciones de tercer down, ambos pases se escaparon inexplicablemente de las manos de Brandon Bolden y de Julian Edelman.
En este mismo lapso de tiempo la defensa de New England empezó a sentir la presión impuesta por el QB Landry Jones y sus excelentes armas ofensivas que encontraban espacios ante una secundaria de New England que llegaba tarde a las jugadas.
El QB Jones se las arregló para sumar 179 yardas contando con la colaboración de Antonio Brown, LeVeon Bell y Darrius Heyward-Bey; 3 de los protagonistas de esta primera mitad.
Un exitoso trabajo de los Steelers que lograron cortar su déficit e irse al entretiempo con solo 4 puntos de desventaja (Patriots 14 – Steelers 10), y sobre todo, jugando mejor que los visitantes de New England.
Se esperaba que en la segunda mitad se corrijan los errores sin embargo las acciones continuaron tal como terminaron, con los Steelers en control y poniéndose a un solo punto detrás de New England.
Es en este momento en que los Patriots empiezan a nivelar las acciones con una buena participación de su RB LeGarrette Blount quien fue sin duda el motor del equipo.
Blount terminó su gran actuación acarreando el balón en 24 ocasiones para 127 yardas y 2 TDs.
Brady combina el juego certero de su corredor con pases, ya no solamente cortos a Julian Edelman, sino que encuentra a su tight end Rob Gronkowski quien tras recibir el pase completa 36 yardas para anotar su segundo TD de la temporada.
"Cada juego es diferente. Solo tienes una recepción en la primera mitad y la gente se pregunta [qué pasa]. Cada juego, cobertura, cada plan de juego es diferente. Corrimos el balón y lanzamos el balón en jugadas de rutas cortas. Es un juego de equipo y creo que en general todos hicieron su trabajo y nuestra defensa jugó muy bien para hacernos ganar".
Tras el TD de Gronk, el K Stephen Gostkowski vuelve a errar un punto extra al patear afuera de los postes. Es el segundo "extra point" fallado por Gostkowski en 2 semanas. A estos se suman 3 FGs fallados durante la temporada.
La defensa de los Patriots, sin ser perfecta, empieza a encontrar su ritmo cuando pone el cerrojo a las grandes jugadas de los Pittsburgh. Malcolm Butler (6 tackles) controla mejor a Antonio Brown (el WR terminó con solo 2 recepciones para 13 yardas en la segunda mitad) y Patrick Chung multiplicándose por el campo (10 tackles).
El trabajo dentro de la zona roja también fue resaltante por parte de la defensa de New England que solo cedió 1 de 4 intentos.
Lo mismo por parte de la ofensiva que estuvo perfecta en la zona roja: 4 de 4.
Brady sigue haciendo uso de Blount y de Gronkowski (con un pase de 37 yardas) para extender la ventaja a 27 -16 con un TD del corredor; un marcador que sería el marcador definitivo.
Brady terminó su buena pero no espectacular actuación completando 19 de 26 pases para 222 yardas y 2 TDs.
Vale resaltar el trabajo del WR Julian Edelman quien fue la válvula de escape para Brady. A pesar del pase incompleto de tercer down y un balón suelto durante un retorno en el último cuarto de juego, Edelman finalizó su actuación receptando 9 de 10 pases para 60 yardas.
Conclusión
Un juego deslucido para la vista durante gran parte de los 60 minutos. Una defensa que no podía detener los avances del QB suplente de Pittsburgh y una ofensiva insípida y poco productiva por momentos. Sin embargo, tal como lo expresó Gronkowski, parte de lo ocurrido en el campo fue producto del plan de juego. Una defensa que "se doblaba pero que no se rompía" y una ofensiva con un plan de juego que aprovechaba lo que los Steelers le entregaban.
Se vino en busca del triunfo y eso se logró. Las falencias se deberán corregir y el nivel de juego, en sus 3 fases, deberá mejorar.
Es momento de volver a casa y de reagruparse. Ahora toca una vez más enfrentarse a los Bills, equipo con el cual, si la memoria no me traiciona, tenemos una deuda pendiente.
