The New England Patriots take on the Baltimore Ravens in a regular season game at Gillette Stadium on Monday, December 12, 2016.
New England Patriots wide receiver Matthew Slater warms up before an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
ESPN broadcaster Randy Moss works on the sideline set before an NFL football game between the New England Patriots and the Baltimore Ravens, Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
From left, Tim Mills, of Northborough, Mass., Vincent Mendoza, of Watertown, Mass., Aaron Podgorni and his father Derek Podgorni, of Littleton, Mass., warm themselves around a fire while tailgating in the parking lot of Gillette Stadium before an NFL football game between the New England Patriots and the Baltimore Ravens, Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots fan Jason Scheinbart, of Burlington, Vt., displays his team's colors while tailgating in the parking lot of Gillette Stadium before an NFL football game between the Patriots and the Baltimore Ravens, Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterbacks Jimmy Garoppolo, left, and Tom Brady, right, take the field to warm up before an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterbacks Jimmy Garoppolo, left, and Tom Brady, right, take the field to warm up before an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady gets fired up as he takes the field for warm-up's before an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady gets fired up as he takes the field for warm-up's before an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, left, talks to quarterback Tom Brady before an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, right, hugs former Patriots defensive back Lawyer Milloy before an NFL football game between the Patriots and the Baltimore Ravens, Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, 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 Baltimore Ravens, Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) leads his team onto the field for an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) passes against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots defensive lineman Trey Flowers (98) sacks Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, left, during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots defensive lineman Trey Flowers (98) sacks Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, left, during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots safety Patrick Chung (23) and defensive lineman Malcom Brown (90) tackle Baltimore Ravens running back Kenneth Dixon (30) in the end zone for a safety during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady passes against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) looks for a receiver against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots linebacker Shea McClellin (58) blocks a field goal attempt by Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker (9) during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots linebacker Shea McClellin (58) blocks a field goal attempt by Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker, partially hidden behind Patriots' Jonathan Jones (31), during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) scores a touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount, left, celebrates his touchdown run with quarterback Tom Brady during the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Zachary Orr (54) tackles New England Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett (88) during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Baltimore Ravens safety Lardarius Webb (21) tackles New England Patriots running back James White (28) during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots defensive back Devin McCourty (32) intercepts a pass intended for Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Mike Wallace (17) during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots defensive back Devin McCourty (32) intercepts a pass intended for Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Mike Wallace (17) during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Baltimore Ravens safety Eric Weddle (32) celebrates with Zachary Orr (54) after intercepting a pass intended for New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan (15) during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower (54) tackles Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith (89) during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Baltimore Ravens defensive end Lawrence Guy (93) hits New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) as he throws an interception during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) runs from Baltimore Ravens linebackers Elvis Dumervil (58) and Matt Judon (91) during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
A fan holds a sign referring to New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady before an NFL football game between the Patriots and the Baltimore Ravens, Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett, rear, catches a touchdown pass as Baltimore Ravens linebacker Zachary Orr defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) celebrates his touchdown pass to tight end Martellus Bennett (88) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett celebrates his touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, left, talks to New offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels on the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game between the Patriots and the Baltimore Ravens, Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell (19) runs from Baltimore Ravens safety Lardarius Webb (21) after catching a pass during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws a touchdown pass to Chris Hogan under pressure from Baltimore Ravens linebacker Elvis Dumervil (58) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan (15) celebrates his touchdown catch with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, right, during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan (15) catches a touchdown pass from Tom Brady as Baltimore Ravens safety Matt Elam (33) chases during the fourth quarte of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan (15) celebrates his touchdown catch with Julian Edelman during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, right, celebrates his touchdown pass to Chris Hogan, left, during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) celebrates his touchdown pass to Chris Hogan with center David Andrews (60) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) and Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) speak at midfield after an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) and Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) speak at midfield after an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady speaks to the media following an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady arrives to speak to the media following an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Tras largos meses de incertidumbre y tropezones, la defensa de New England se hizo presente cuando más contaba, y contribuyó enormemente para que los New England Patriots lograran una merecida y luchada victoria por 30-23 frente al duro equipo de los Baltimore Ravens.
"Fue como me imaginaba este juego. Había que jugar por 60 minutos contra los Ravens y todo se redujo a jugadas claves en el último cuarto", dijo Belichick en su conferencia.
Poco más de media mitad con los Patriots volando alto
Una victoria ajustada pero merecida ya que los Patriots hicieron lo suficiente en las 3 fases del juego para sacar una amplia ventaja de 23 -3 a solo 8:50 de finalizar el tercer cuarto.
Una ventaja que contó con la colaboración de Brady y prácticamente todas sus armas ofensivas resaltando Julian Edelman, Martellus Bennett, Malcolm Mitchell y James White.
Cabe señalar que en este partido el RB Blount superó la marca de 1,000 yardas en la temporada. Es la segunda vez en su carrera que Blount consigue tan importante logro. Blount acabó su actuación de hoy con 18 acarreos, 72 yardas y 1 TD.
Igualmente, en este mismo tramo del partido fue importante la labor de la defensa que contuvo con acierto al QB Joe Flacco, limitándolo a solo 18 de 29 pases para 154 yardas y 1 sack (de Trey Flowers).
Otra jugada resaltante de la defensa fue el safety logrado por el DT de los Pats, Malcom Brown, cuando derriba en su propio end zone al RB de los Ravens, Kenneth Dixon. Una jugada que tuvo su inicio en el buen trabajo de los equipos especiales que, tras un despeje de 56 yardas de Ryan Allen, detienen el balón en la yarda 1 de los Ravens por medio de Matthew Slater.
Otra gran maniobra de la defensiva fue una intercepción lograda por Devin McCourty durante el segundo cuarto, cuando evita que Flacco conecte un pase de 47 yardas con su WR Mike Wallace.
"Realmente no la esperaba. Estaba tratando de no cometer interferencia, sabiendo la velocidad que tiene Mike Wallace…pero logramos ponerle doble cobertura con Patrick Chung y pude hacer la jugada [de intercepción]", dijo McCourty.
Otra jugada resaltante de los Patriots (dentro de este mismo lapso de tiempo) ocurre cuando un intento de gol de campo de 34 yardas de los Ravens, a través de su pateador Justin Tucker, es bloqueado por el LB Shea McClellin.
"Se pudo lograr practicando el último par de semanas y mirando videos con el coordinador de los equipos especiales: Joe Judge y Bubba [Ray Ventrone]; de eso se trató, de preparación y de estudiar videos", dijo McClellin acerca de su gran jugada.
Giro de 180 grados
Pero después de esa cómoda ventaja de 23-3 las cosas tomaron un giro poco imaginado cuando el CB y regresador de balones, Cyrus Jones hace contacto con el balón con su pie, lo que es aprovechado por los Ravens para recuperar el ovoide y empezar una corta marcha de solo 3 yardas que termina en touchdown.
Aunque parezca increíble, en la siguiente jugada después de ese TD, cuando Baltimore patea el balón, el WR y miembro de los equipos especiales de los Pats, Matthew Slater, comete un fumble permitiendo que los Ravens retomen posición del balón y vuelvan a anotar tras avanzar 23 yardas.
Dos touchdowns de los Ravens en menos de minuto y medio.
Luego ambos equipos intercambian posición del balón hasta entrando el último cuarto cuando los Ravens muy cerca de ponerse adelante por primera vez en el juego, ve esta posibilidad esfumada cuando en situación de tercer y 4, desde la yardas 12 de los Pats, Joe Flacco es capturado por Rob Ninkovich. Los Ravens se conforman con solo un gol de campo y se ponen a 3 puntos del empate: NE 23 - Baltimore 20.
Pero la respuesta de los Patriots sería letal
A continuación, cuando faltaban poco más de 6 minutos, y con una ventaja mínima, Brady toma control del partido y en una sola jugada envía un pase a Chris Hogan que este convierte en un TD de 79 yardas que pone el marcador 30-20.
"Sí, él hizo una gran jugada. Partió de una corrida de engaño...Realmente él no era mi primera opción en esa jugada, pero él vio lo que yo estaba viendo y ajustó su ruta y traté de poner el balón ahí para él. Fue una gran jugada, la necesitábamos", dijo Brady de su pase de TD.
Brady terminó su gran actuación frente a la considerada mejor defensa de la liga, completando 25 de 38 pases para 406 yardas, 3 TDs, 1 sack, 1 INT.
"Es algo en que trabajos cada semana. Se remonta a nuestras prácticas y a observar videos. Pudimos estar compaginados en ese momento en particular, lo que fue grandiosos porque lo necesitábamos", dijo el WR Hogan acerca de su jugada de TD.
Hogan acabó su noche con 5 de 7 recepciones para 129 yardas y 1 TD.
Cuando los Ravens intentaban acortar distancias, una larga marcha de poco más de 4 minutos termina en un gol de campo que los pone a 7 puntos de los Pats, una diferencia que el equipo de New England mantiene a su favor hasta el silbato final.
Conclusión
Sin duda un partido luchado y agónico hasta el minuto final. Es verdad, debimos haber sufrido menos y asegurar este partido mucho antes, pero no siempre las cosas salen como uno lo desea, menos frente a un gran rival que aprovecha cualquier error para obtener ventaja.
Podemos encontrar virtudes y falencias en cada fase del juego, pero lo importante es que al final, la suma de las 3 partes nos dio lo que buscábamos, un triunfo frente a un duro rival.
Victoria que nos pone al tope de la AFC y que nos da confianza y optimismo para enfrentar nuestro próximo compromiso.
La consigan entrando al partido de hoy era mejorar (particularmente en la defensa) y lo logramos. Cierto aún hay mucho por hacer, pero se dio un gran paso hacia adelante. Esperemos dar otro el próximo fin de semana.
