View the best images from the Patriots Week 1 game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium on Sunday, September 11, 2016.
New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft watches warm ups prior to an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft greets Patriots fans prior to an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
A New England Patriots fan holds up a Tom Brady picture prior to an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick watches his team prior to an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) looks to throw against the Arizona Cardinals during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) huddles up against the Arizona Cardinals during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan (15) celebrates after a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan (15) celebrates his touchdown with teammate Cameron Fleming (71) during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan (15) pulls in a touchdown pass against the Arizona Cardinals during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan (15) celebrates his touchdown with teammate New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan (15) cheers after a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) is hit by Arizona Cardinals free safety Tyrann Mathieu during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan (15) celebrates his touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan (15) pulls in a touchdown pass against the Arizona Cardinals during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) is hit by Arizona Cardinals free safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) makes a call against the Arizona Cardinals during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New England Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski (3) kicks a field goal as punter Ryan Allen (6) holds during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New England Patriots running back James White (28) is hit by Arizona Cardinals free safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) is hit by Arizona Cardinals defensive back Tyvon Branch (27) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) is sacked by New England Patriots defensive end Trey Flowers (98) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer loses his helmet as his is sacked by New England Patriots defensive end Trey Flowers during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) is hit by New England Patriots strong safety Patrick Chung (23) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New England Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski (3) lines up his kick during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) hits New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) lines up under center David Andrews (60) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick talks with the referees during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New England Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett (88) hits Arizona Cardinals cornerback Brandon Williams (26) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) scrambles against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) and Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) meet at mid field after an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. The Patriots won 23-21. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. The Patriots won 23-21. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. The Patriots won 23-21. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) hugs New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) after an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. The Patriots won 23-21. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. The Patriots won 23-21. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) greets New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler (21) after an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. The Patriots won 23-21. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick greets his girlfriend, Linda Holliday, after an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. The Patrios won 23-21. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Cardinals kicker Chandler Catanzaro (7) unsuccessfully attempts a game winning field goal attempt as punter Drew Butler (2) holds during the second half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. The Patriots won 23-21. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) and defensive end Chris Long (95) celebrate their win after an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. The Patrios won 23-21. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. The Patrios won 23-21. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick leave the field after an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. The Patrios won 23-21. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Cardinals kicker Chandler Catanzaro (7) looks at punter Drew Butler (2) after missing a game winning field goal attempt during the second half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. The Patriots won 23-21. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. The Patrios won 23-21. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. The Patrios won 23-21. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. The Patrios won 23-21. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick speaks after an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. The Patriots won 23-21. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick speaks after an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. The Patriots won 23-21. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo speaks after an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. The Patriots won 23-21. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo speaks after an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. The Patriots won 23-21. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Esta noche los Patriots de New England lograron lo que parecía imposible, un triunfo de visita frente a los Arizona Cardinals por 23 – 21.
"Estoy muy orgulloso de mi equipo. Un gran esfuerzo de todas las 3 fases del juego…Tuvimos una dura semana pero vinimos y jugamos un juego físico y duro frente a un gran equipo. Solo hicimos un par más de jugadas que los Cardinals.. Es bueno venir aquí y ganar", dijo Belichick en su conferencia.
Un partido que a pesar de tener muchos héroes, tuvo uno en particular que resaltó con luz propia: Jimmy Garoppolo.
El joven QB, quien había sido puesto en duda por la mayor parte de los medios y expertos, logró debutar de gran forma y brillante estilo desarrollando un juego metódico, jugando con mucho temple, coraje y moldeando poco a poco una victoria que se selló a 41 segundos del final cuando el pateador de Arizona falla un gol de campo de 47 yardas.
"Tuvimos un gran plan de juego. Entrenadores, jugadores, todos hicieron un gran trabajo, tuvimos una gran semana de preparación y eso se demostró esta noche"
Jimmy Garoppolo terminó completando 24 de 33 pases para 264 yd y 1 TD. El QB de New England fue capturado en 2 ocasiones.
Garoppolo contó con la cooperación de todos. Con una línea ofensiva que le brindó una adecuada protección y con un variado arsenal de armas ofensivas.
La línea la conformaron inicialmente LT Cameron Fleming, LG Joe Thuney, C David Andrews, RG Ted Karras y RT Marcus Cannon. Quienes controlaron la mayor parte del tiempo el asedio de los pass rushers de Arizona.
En el juego de carrera Blount tuvo sus buenos momentos (22 carreras, 70 yardas) pero cometió un fumble costoso que le dio vida a Arizona a finales del tercer cuarto cuando los locales anotan su segundo TD y cortan su desventaja a 3 puntos (17-14).
El RB James White también contribuyó en los momentos claves del partido, acabando con 1 carrera para 4 yardas pero con 5 de 7 recepciones para 66 yardas.
Por su lado, el juego con los receptores fue variado y contó con la colaboración de todos. Con jugadores realizando jugadas claves en los momentos precisos. Julian Edelman perfecto (7 de 7 para 66 yd), Chris Hogan con el TD inicial (3 de 4 para 60 yd, 1 TD), lo mismo que Danny Amendola (3 de 4 para 48 yd) y el novato Malcolm Mitchell (2 de 5 para 33 yd).
Vale la pena resaltar el trabajo de Amendola, sobre todo con una recepción clave de 32 yd en una situación de 3 y 15 en el último cuarto de juego. Una jugada que formó parte de la mejor marcha de Garoppolo (13 jugadas, 61 yd) y que terminó con el FG de la victoria (23-21).
El TE Martellus Bennett tuvo como principal función ayudar en el bloqueo más que en el juego aéreo, terminando su actuación con 3 de 5 recepciones para 14 yardas.
La defensa
Se sabía del reto que imponía la explosiva ofensiva de los Cardinals comandada por el veterano QB Carson Palmer (24 de 37 para 271 yd, 2 TD, 3 capturas).
Los Pats salieron con la convicción de controlar las armas de ataque de Arizona y así se logró, particularmente en la primera mitad, cuando el juego de carrera de los Cardinals fue contenido a solo 36 yardas en 12 corridas y su juego aéreo a 10 recepciones para 137 yardas y 1 TD.
Sin embargo en la segunda mitad el equipo de New England afloja un poco la marcación y talentos como el RB David Johnson y el WR Larry Fitzgerald se convierten en protagonistas del partido.
Johnson acabó su noche con 16 corridas, 89 yd, 1 TD mientras que Fitzgerald con 8 de 10 recepciones para 81 yd y 2 TD.
De cualquier manera la defensa logró su cometido no dejando que la explosiva ofensiva de los Cardinals se dispare en el marcador.
Conclusión
Un juego duro, muy reñido pero bien jugado por parte de New England que llegó hasta Arizona, para muchos, solo para cumplir. Sin embargo, un plan de juego bien elaborado, con Garoppolo demostrando un gran talento y con un equipo que en general trabajo duro y parejo a lo largo de la noche, se consiguió lo impensable: Ganar en su casa a uno de los favoritos de la liga, los Arizona Cardinals.
Un gran comienzo para Jimmy G que ahora con la confianza que le da debutar con el pie derecho, podrá enfrentar los siguientes 3 partidos con mayor soltura y seguridad.
Finalmente solo nos queda agregar: Tom Brady, ¡tu equipo está en buenas manos!
