The New England Patriots take on the Los Angeles Rams at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, December 4, 2016.
Randy Penney, left, holding an eight pound lobster, tailgates in the parking lot of Gillette Stadium with Sean Meers, both of Cumberland, R.I., before an NFL football game between the New England Patriots and the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Sean Meers, of Cumberland, R.I., grills lobsters while tailgating in the parking lot of Gillette Stadium before an NFL football game between the New England Patriots and the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots quarterbacks Jimmy Garoppolo, left, and Tom Brady run onto the field to warm up before an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady runs onto the field to warm up before an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick watches his team warm up before an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) leads his team onto the field for an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) drops back against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) runs for a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) drags Los Angeles Rams defensive end Eugene Sims (97) across the goal line for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) passes against the rush by New England Patriots defensive lineman Trey Flowers (98) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) follows through on a pass against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) drops back to pass as New England Patriots defensive lineman Trey Flowers (98) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady celebrates a touchdown run by LeGarrette Blount during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Los Angeles Rams cornerback Trumaine Johnson (22) tackles New England Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett (88) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler (21) runs with an interception as Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Pharoh Cooper, right, tackles him during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler, top right, celebrates his interception with Brandon King, left, during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan (15) catches a pass for a touchdown against Los Angeles Rams cornerback E.J. Gaines (33) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan (15) catches a pass for a touchdown against Los Angeles Rams cornerback E.J. Gaines (33) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan (15) celebrates his touchdown catch touchdown against Los Angeles Rams cornerback E.J. Gaines (33) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass.(AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan winds up to spike the ball to celebrate his touchdown catch against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan winds up to spike the ball to celebrate his touchdown catch against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan, right, celebrates his touchdown catch against the Los Angeles Rams with James Develin, left, during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan, right, celebrates his touchdown catch with Danny Amendola during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler (21) celebrates his interception against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots cornerback Logan Ryan (26) sacks Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) calls signals at the line of scrimmage during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, left, listens to offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, center, alongside head coach Bill Belichick, right, during a timeout in the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots center David Andrews (60) and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) celebrate a touchdown by wide receiver Chris Hogan during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots linebacker Kyle Van Noy (53) celebrates his interception of a pass by Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff with defensive back Brandon King (36) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots defensive back Nate Ebner (43) tackles Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Pharoh Cooper (10) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots defensive end Chris Long (95) closes in on Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) passes under pressure from Los Angeles Rams defensive end Ethan Westbrooks (93) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots defensive end Chris Long (95) sacks Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots defensive end Chris Long (95) celebrates his sack of Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
A group of New England Patriots defenders tackle Los Angeles Rams tight end Lance Kendricks (88) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady gives a thumbs-up to Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff after speaking at midfield follwoing an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots won 26-10. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady right, speak at midfield to Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff after an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots won 26-10. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, left, and Los Angeles Rams head coach Jeff Fisher speak at midfield after after an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots won 26-10. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady puts on his jacket as he arrives to speak to the media following an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady speaks to the media following an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady speaks to the media following an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots defensive back Devin McCourty speaks to the media following an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick speaks to the media following an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots players from the 2001 Super Bowl team, Tedy Bruschi (54) and Troy Brown (80) cheer with Patriots owner Robert Kraft, left, as they are honored during halftime of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots defensive back Devin McCourty speaks to the media following an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Con un record histórico logrado por Brady, los Patriots de New England (10-2) lograron una clara y contundente victoria frente a los Rams de Los Angeles (4-8).
Tom Brady, tras una buena actuación (33 de 46 pases para 269 yardas) se convirtió en el QB con más triunfos logrados en la historia de la NFL (201).
"Siento agradecimiento hacia todos mis compañeros y entrenadores, por mi familia y amigos. Ha sido mucho football durante los años. Siempre se ha tratado de ganar y he sido afortunado por formar parte de muchos buenos equipos [patriotas]", dijo Brady en su conferencia
Para lograr tan ilustre record, Brady contó con la colaboración de su variado grupo de receptores, entre los que resaltó Julian Edelman (8 de 12, 101 yardas), el novato Malcolm Mitchell (8 de 10, 82 yardas) y Chris Hogan (4 de 5, 23 yardas y 1 TD).
"Fue una gran victoria, especialmente frente a un equipo con el que realmente no estás familiarizado…No logramos muchos TDs. No creo que en tercer downs estuvimos bien, pero siempre es bueno salir y ganar a un buen equipo", dijo Edelman.
La ofensiva de Brady fue variada y poco predecible, combinando continuamente con sus receivers, running backs, tight ends, fullback, utilizando en ocasiones al OL Cameron Fleming como "jugador elegible", añadiendo de esta manera, paquetes ofensivos difíciles de descifrar.
Un inicio fulminante marcó la pauta del partido cuando en 8 jugadas y 80 yardas, utilizando 4:22 del reloj, el QB puso la presión en el rival. En ese drive Brady uso principalmente a sus corredores; Dion Lewis y James White corriendo y receptando pases cortos, y LeGarrette Blount poniendo la cuota de agresividad cerrando aquel drive con un acarreo de 43 yardas para TD.
"Siempre decimos que debemos empezar rápido. Ese es el inicio ideal para cualquier equipo de la NFL. Si lo puedes hacer, sabes que todo lo demás empezará a rodar", dijo Blount en el vestuario.
Blount terminó su buena actuación con 18 acarreos, 88 yardas y 1 TD.
La defensa por su parte tuvo una tarde de reivindicación después de haber desarrollado un futbol incierto en las últimas semanas.
La línea defensiva finalmente encendió el switch de la presión y logró 2 sacks (Chris Long y Rob Ninkovich), un juego de pass rushing que también tuvo como protagonista al CB Logan Ryan, quien desarrolló un gran partido desde la posición de slot (ranura), ejerciendo presión y logrando además del sack, 2 golpes al QB.
"Lo dije la semana pasada, nada nos ayudará más que lograr conseguir 'pérdidas de balón'…Tuvimos un gran pass rushing que ayudó a la secundaria a capitalizar", dijo McCourty
El LB Kyle Van Noy también contribuyó con una intercepción al igual que el CB Malcolm Butler. Una subida en el nivel de juego de Butler quien había padecido frente a receptores espigados, en esta ocasión controló con acierto al WR Kenny Britt (2 de 6, 67 yardas). Eric Rowe quien jugó en la esquina opuesta de Butler, tuvo que salir tras sufrir una lesión en el tendón de la corva, siendo reemplazado por el novato Cyrus Jones.
De no haber sido el triunfo que dio el record a Brady, esta victoria sería recordada por la gran actuación del pateador Stephen Gostkowski, quien aparenta haber retomado su eficiencia al lograr 4 goles de campo (28, 48, 45, 45) y 2 puntos extras.
"Es un comienzo. Es un juego. Cada semana es un reto diferente. Solo te queda batallar", dijo el pateador después del partido.
Finalmente cabe mencionar que el WR Danny Amendola salió del partido con una lesión al tobillo, el WR llevaba puesta una bota ortopédica a la salida del vestuario.
Conclusión
Más allá del record de Brady, los Patriots mostraron capacidad de poder seguir adelante sin Rob Gronkowski. El equipo en general puso el hombro para aliviar la ausencia del popular Gronk. Brady distribuyendo su ataque y encontrando a viejos conocidos como Edelman y nuevas opciones como Hogan y Mitchell. La variedad de opciones que le da el juego de carrera también fue resaltante.
Defensivamente se vio mejora en el pass rushing y en la cobertura, lo mismo en la línea de linebackers. Una actuación resaltante que ayudará a levantar la moral de este criticado grupo.
Y por supuesto, Stephen Gostkowski, esperemos que esta actuación le ayude a recuperar la confianza y la calidad que ha demostrado a través de los años.
Un buen partido que sirva como base para cosas mejores.
