The New England Patriots take on the New York Jets in a regular season game at Gillette Stadium on Saturday, December 24, 2016.
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady warms up before an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterbacks Jimmy Garoppolo, left, and Tom Brady warm up before an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, left, greets quarterback Tom Brady during warm-up's before an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, right, greets wide receiver Julian Edelman during warm-up's before an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, left, talks to wide receiver Michael Floyd (14) and quarterback Tom Brady, right, before an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New York Jets quarterback Bryce Petty (9) scrambles from New England Patriots defensive end Chris Long (95) during the first half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New York Jets quarterback Bryce Petty (9) calls signals at the line of scrimmage during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler (21) goes up to intercept a pass intended for New York Jets wide receiver Robby Anderson (11) during the first half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) passes under pressure from New York Jets defensive end Sheldon Richardson (91) during the first half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)warms up before an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) passes under pressure from the New York Jets defense during the first half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots wide receiver Michael Floyd (14) catches a pass as New York Jets cornerback Juston Burris (32) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady celebrates his touchdown pass to Martellus Bennett during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, right, celebrates his touchdown pass to Martellus Bennett, left, during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots wide receiver Michael Floyd (14) catches a pass as New York Jets cornerback Juston Burris defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady celebrates his touchdown pass to Martellus Bennett during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Fans dressed in Santa Claus suits watch an NFL football game between the New England Patriots and the New York Jets, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots linebacker Shea McClellin wraps up New York Jets quarterback Bryce Petty (9) during the first half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots linebacker Shea McClellin wraps up New York Jets quarterback Bryce Petty (9) during the first half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots cheerleaders perform wearing Christmas outfits during the first half of an NFL football game between the Patriots and the New York Jets, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New York Jets safety Rontez Miles (45) tackles New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) during the first half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots defensive back Eric Rowe (25) intercepts a pass intended for New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) during the first half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots defensive back Devin McCourty (32) celebrates an interception by Eric Rowe (25) during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New York Jets cornerback Juston Burris, rear, breaks up a pass intended for New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) during the first half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New York Jets cornerback Buster Skrine (41) tackles New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) during the first half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick studies plays on the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Members of the End Zone Militia fire their rifles during the first half of an NFL football game between the New England Patriots and the New York Jets, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New York Jets cornerback Buster Skrine, right, and safety Rontez Miles, bottom, tackle New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) during the first half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
A television cameraman wears a Santa Claus suit while recording the action during the first half of an NFL football game between the New England Patriots and the New York Jets, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount scores a touchdown against the New York Jets during the second half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount celebrates his touchdown against the New York Jets during the second half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount, left, celebrates his touchdown against the New York Jets with Joe Thuney (62) during the second half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount, left, celebrates his touchdown against the New York Jets with Tom Brady (12) during the second half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount, left, celebrates his touchdown against the New York Jets with James Develin (46) during the second half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler (21) intercepts a pass intended for New York Jets wide receiver Charone Peake (17) during the second half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler (21) runs with the ball after intercepting a pass intended for New York Jets wide receiver Charone Peake (17) during the second half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) passes over New York Jets linebacker Freddie Bishop (56) during the second half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) hands off to running back LeGarrette Blount (29) during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler intercepts a pass intended for New York Jets wide receiver Charone Peake during the second half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots mascot Pat Patriot wears a Santa Claus suit before an NFL football game between the Patriots and the New York Jets, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels watches as his team warms up before an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, left, and New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady speak at midfield after an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots won 41-3. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, left, and New York Jets head coach Todd Bowles speak at midfield after an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots won 41-3. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, right, and New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis speak at midfield following an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady runs to greet New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick at midfield following an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady speaks to the media following an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Esta tarde, los New England Patriots (13-2) consiguieron una contundente victoria de 41-3 frente a los New York Jets (4-11), en el partido realizado frente a 66,829 espectadores en el Gillette Stadium.
Un juego que desde el mismo inicio mostró a un solo equipo en el campo, tras un amplio domino del equipo local.
"Fue realmente un buen día para nosotros. Creo que nuestros jugadores hicieron un gran trabajo. Jugamos un buen football complementario", dijo Belichick durante su conferencia.
Ofensivamente Brady demostró por qué es un fuerte candidato para ser el MVP de la liga, tras una actuación de primera calidad que en menos de 3 cuartos de juego logró completar 17 de 27 pases para 214 yardas y 3 touchdowns.
Brady demostró sapiencia y buena movilidad en los momentos necesarios, resaltando una salida de su bolsa que terminó en un lanzamiento de 28 yardas a Julian Edelman. El WR resultó siendo su blanco de tiro favorito tras recibir 5 de 8 pases para 89 yardas.
"Muchos jugadores realizaron buenas jugadas hoy... Fue una gran victoria. Jugamos en algunas condiciones difíciles y mostramos fortaleza mental. Fue un gran triunfo; 13-2 es bastante bueno", afirmó Brady.
El RB James White (3 de 4, 32 yd, 1TD), WR Malcolm Mitchell (3 de 5, 29 yd) y Martellus Bennett (2 de 2, 19 yd, 1 TD) fueron los otros receptores favoritos de Brady.
Vale mencionar que el TE de los Patriots, Matt Lengel, llegado al equipo a principios de noviembre (desde el equipo de práctica de los Bengals) logró su primer TD de su carrera profesional, jugada que por cierto también fue su primera recepción en la NFL.
"Sentí en ese momento (cuando el balón venia por el aire) que las cosas iban mucho más lentas. No es hasta después [que logras el TD] que empiezas a disfrutarlo", dijo el TE.
Este partido también tuvo como novedad el debut del WR Michael Floyd (1 de 2, 6 yd).
"Se siente muy bien, se siente increíble. La capacidad y las metas que se tiene en este equipo es increíble y estoy feliz de estar en este equipo y poder contribuir cuando pueda", exclamó el WR.
Brady (1 sack) contó con una buena protección por parte de su línea ofensiva a los largo de su tiempo en el campo.
Jimmy Garoppolo remplazo a Brady finalizando el tercer cuarto, cuando ya el marcador estaba 34-0 por lo que no se requirió de sus lanzamientos (1 de 2, 6 yd)
En el juego de carrera, tal como se esperaba, los Patriots combinaron el juego físico de LeGarrette Blount (20 acarreos, 50 yardas) con el juego rápido y escurridizo de Dion Lewis (16 acarreos, 52 yd). Blount añadió a su record de franquicia, su TDs #16 y #17.
Al igual que la ofensiva, la defensa también tuvo una actuación resaltante. Empezando por una línea defensiva que mantuvo la presión capturando al QB Bryce Petty en 2 ocasiones con Chris Long (1), Jabaal Sheard (.5) y Alan Branch (.5).
El QB titular de los Jets, Bryce Petty tuvo que abandonar el juego por lesión al hombro y ser reemplazado por Ryan Fitzpatrick.
Ninguno de los QB visitantes tuvo mayor éxito ya que la presión por parte de los pass rushers de New England fue complementada por otro buen trabajo desplegado por la secundaria.
EL CB Malcolm Butler se convirtió en una de las figuras de la tarde al conseguir 2 intercepciones y al recuperar un balón suelto. Una magistral actuación por parte del esquinero.
"Este es el tipo de juegos que cualquier jugador quisiera lograr: 3 pérdidas de balón. En lo global fue una gran victoria. Jugamos buena defensa y nuestra ofensiva tomó ventaja de todas sus oportunidades; estoy contento por el triunfo", indicó Butler.
Otro que logró una magnifica intercepción fue el CB Eric Rowe.
"Cuando logramos una [intercepción] nos entusiasmamos porque es un cambio de momentum y damos el balón a Tom [Brady]. Y después quieres lograr otra y ya tenemos la mentalidad para ir en busca de ella", comentó Rowe.
Un buen trabajo de la secundaria resaltado por Belichick en su conferencia:
"No hay nada que se correlaciona más con ganar que las pérdidas de balón. Número uno, son puntos y número dos, son turnovers. Pudimos conseguirlos hoy y pudimos convertirlos en puntos".
Quizás la estadística más reveladora, la que demuestra la superioridad de la defensa de los Patriots, es la eficiencia de los Jets en situaciones de tercer down: 1 de 11.
La defensa contra la carrera del equipo de New England tampoco se quedó atrás. Los corredores de los Jets fueron controlados acertadamente. Su mejor RB de la tarde, Bilal Powell sumó 60 yd en 15 acarreos.
Los Patriots no contaron inicialmente con su DT Malcolm Brown, este fue reemplazado por el novato Valentine Vincent, quien hizo pareja con Alan Branch. Brown ingresó tarde, en la segunda mitad, lo que demostraría que el DT fue castigado.
"Todas las decisiones son decisiones de los entrenadores", dijo Belichick de la temprana ausencia de Brown.
La línea de linebackers también sufrió de una ausencia notable, el LB Dont'a Hightower. Los Patriots usualmente jugaron con el dúo de LBs Shea McClellin y Elandon Roberts durante jugadas de primer y segundo down y con el dúo McClellin - Kyle Van Noy en jugadas de tercer down.
Conclusión
Un gran triunfo donde, más importante que el marcador abultado, fue el despliegue de buen football demostrado en todas las fases del juego.
Ahora a tomar un corto descanso de fiestas navideñas y volver con todo para el juego frente a Miami. Un juego que podría ser de mucha importancia ya que se necesitaría de un triunfo para asegurar jugar en el Gillette a lo largo de los playoffs. Pero ese tema puede esperar, ahora a tomar un pequeño receso y celebremos una navidad en donde el regalo ya llegó por adelantado, en forma de triunfo de nuestro equipo.
