Después de estar en desventaja 10-20 en el último cuarto de juego; frente a un rival que mostraba entereza y una defensa agresiva y eficiente; sin la presencia de Rob Gronkowski desde antes del medio tiempo (conmoción cerebral); y con un QB jugando y lanzando el balón con puntos en el dedo pulgar; los Patriots de New England hicieron lo impensado y derrotaron al joven y difícil equipo de los Jaguars por 24-20. De esta manera se ganaron el derecho de representar a la AFC en el juego más importante del fútbol americano, el Super Bowl.
"Ese fue un gran partido de fútbol. De veras. Así como lo dije afuera, estoy realmente orgulloso de nuestros jugadores, ellos hicieron un gran trabajo. No hicimos las cosas tan bien como queríamos en ciertos momentos del juego, pero ellos batallaron y compitieron hasta el final", afirmó orgullosamente Belichick.
El talento se hizo presente
Como era de esperarse, para logar tal hazaña, 2 de los jugadores con más experiencia en este tipo de lides, sacaron a relucir su talento en los momentos de apremio: Tom Brady y Danny Amendola.
Tom Brady, jugando con puntos en el dedo pulgar después de una lesión sufrida a inicios de semana, durante la práctica, guardó lo mejor para lo último y llevó de la mano a su equipo a anotar 2 touchdowns en el último cuarto.
"Jugamos mucho mejor en la segunda mitad. No pudimos hacer que los series continuaran, y obviamente no estuvimos bien en tercer downs; pero en el segundo tiempo tomamos el ritmo y jugamos un poco mejor", declaró Brady en su conferencia.
Primero con una serie de 8 jugadas y 85 yardas que terminó en un pase corto de touchdown a Danny Amendola, una anotación que nos puso a 3 puntos de los Jaguars (17-20). Una marcha que incluyó una jugada de 3 y 18 completada por Danny Amendola.
"Sabía a dónde ir y Tom Brady tiene un láser, ¡y fue perfecto!", relató Amendola.
Minutos después, a solo 4:58 del final, Brady vuelve a realizar otra mágica serie, esta vez de 5 jugadas y 30 yardas que tuvo una vez más a Danny Amendola como el autor de la jugada final, este touchdown puso adelante a los Patriots 24-20, un marcador que no se movería hasta el final del partido.
The New England Patriots and Jacksonville Jaguars square off in the AFC Championship at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, January 21, 2018.
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady walks toward the field to warm up before the AFC championship NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady gives a shout as he takes the field to warm up before the AFC championship NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Tape covers part of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady's right hand before the AFC championship NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady warms up before the AFC championship NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) yells as he makes his way onto the field prior to an NFL AFC Championship football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018 in Foxborough, Mass. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady warms up before the AFC championship NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, left, talks to wide receiver Brandin Cooks as they warm up before the AFC championship NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, left, and entertainer Jon Bon Jovi, right, walk onto the field as the teams warm up before the AFC championship NFL football game between the Patriots and the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, left, looks at his taped right hand beside backup quarterback Brian Hoyer before the AFC championship NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady looks at his taped right hand before the AFC championship NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, left, shakes hands with Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Khan before the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, left, embraces Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Khan before the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady gives a shout as he takes the field to warm up before the AFC championship NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, left, embraces former Patriots Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Bledsoe, serving as honorary captain, before the AFC championship NFL football game between the Patriots and the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady throws a pass under pressure from Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Calais Campbell (93) during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Myles Jack, left,tackles New England Patriots running back Rex Burkhead during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) passes under pressure from Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Dante Fowler (56) and linebacker Myles Jack (44) during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey, right, tackles New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) calls a play at the line of scrimmage during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola makes a catch during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski (3) kicks a field goal during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, front, holds onto the ball as he goes down against Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Dante Fowler during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) spins away from Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Telvin Smith (50) during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, center calls signals at the line of scrimmage against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick reacts during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady pumps his fist after a touchdown run by running back James White during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, right, argues a call with referee Clete Blakeman during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) is sacked by New England Patriots defensive end Lawrence Guy (93) during the second half of the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots running back James White (28) runs against Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Myles Jack (44) to the end zone for a touchdown during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia watches from the sideline during the second half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots wide receiver Phillip Dorsett (13) makes a catch against Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Myles Jack (44) during the second half of the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) catches a touchdown pass in front of Jacksonville Jaguars safety Tashaun Gipson (39) and linebacker Paul Posluszny (51) during the second half of the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola, left, celebrates his touchdown catch with Chris Hogan, right, during the second half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) celebrates his touchdown pass to wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) during the second half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, hugs his girlfriend Linda Holliday as he talks to team owner Robert Kraft after winning the AFC championship NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots won 24-20. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots wide receiver Matthew Slater reacts during the second half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore (24) breaks up a pass intended for Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Dede Westbrook (12) during the second half of the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) talks to Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) after the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots won 24-20. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola, left, and quarterback Tom Brady celebrate their victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, left, embraces quarterback Tom Brady after defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots won 24-20. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady smiles after winning the AFC championship NFL football game 24-20 over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, left, congratulates cornerback Stephon Gilmore after the AFC championship NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots won 24-20. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, front, embraces New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady after the AFC championship NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
CORRECTS BYLINE TO DAVID J. PHILLIP NOT STEVEN SENNE - New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft holds the trophy as he speaks after the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots won 24-20. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick looks on following an NFL AFC Championship football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018 in Foxborough, Mass. New England won 24-20. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, left, hand the trophy to head coach Bill Belichick after the AFC championship NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots won 24-20. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and quarterback Tom Brady (12) leave the field after winning the AFC championship NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick speaks at a news conference after the AFC championship NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots won 24-20. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady speaks at a news conference after the AFC championship NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots won 24-20. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia leaves the field after winning the AFC championship NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots won 24-20. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots defensive lineman Ricky Jean Francois walks off the field with the trophy after the AFC championship NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots won 24-20. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, center, carries the trophy between quarterback Tom Brady, left, and safety Patrick Chung as they leave the field after the AFC championship NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots won 24-20. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
"Él tiene muy buenas manos y un gran sentido de dónde está en el campo, él ha hecho tantas buenas jugadas para nosotros", dijo Brady acerca de Amendola.
Una gran recuperación de Brady que terminó su gran actuación completando 26 de 38 pases para 290 yardas y 2 touchdowns.
Por su parte Danny Amendola terminó con 7 de 9 recepciones para 84 yardas y 2 anotaciones. Amendola también completó un pase de 20 yardas a Dion Lewis durante una jugada de engaño, una jugada que terminó en balón suelto por parte de Dion Lewis.
El WR también logró un retorno de 20 yardas, lo que acortó el campo para que Brady y el mismo Amendola, logren la anotación del triunfo.
Otro jugador que tuvo una contribución importante fue el WR Brandin Cooks con 6 recepciones y 100 yardas.
En lo que se refiere al juego de carrera, este pasó casi desapercibido ante la férrea defensa de los Jaguars. El grupo de corredores de New England solo sumó 46 yardas y 1 TD en 19 acarreos.
La defensa, crucial para el "come back"
Cierto que el QB Blake Bortles demostró gran calidad, particularmente en la primera mitad cuando completó 13 de 15 pases para 155 yardas y un TD. Una ofensiva que en estos dos cuartos se mantuvo 18:22 minutos en el campo, limitando a los Patriots a solo 11:38.
Sin embargo en la segunda mitad las cosas cambiaron a favor de la defensa de New England.
"No fue un gran ajuste de juego lo que necesitábamos hacer, necesitábamos ser más agresivos. Necesitábamos salir de los bloqueos y taclear mejor", opinó Devin McCourty.
En la segunda mitad, en 9 situaciones de tercer down, los visitantes solo pudieron concretar 2, lo que se tradujo en más oportunidades para Brady y su ofensiva.
Igualmente importante fue el trabajo realizado por la defensa en la última serie de los Jaguars. Un sack de Kyle Van Noy y de James Harrison en jugada de 2 y 10 (a 2:07 del final). Luego, 2 jugadas después, un pase a profundidad bloqueado por Stephon Gilmore en una jugada de 4 y 15 sella la suerte de los visitantes.
Resumiendo
Demás está decir que fue un partido deslucido para los Patriots, pero como suelen hacer los campeones, los Patriots sacaron a relucir su mejor juego cuando la situación lo demandaba. Quizás esa fue la gran diferencia entre estos 2 equipos. El talento demostrado por los Jaguars no está en discusión, pero no solo basta jugar bien para ganar a un equipo que sabe cómo no perder, y ese equipo se llama los New England Patriots.
