The New England Patriots take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in a regular season game at Heinz Field on Sunday, December 17, 2017.
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) surveys Heinz Field prior to the 2017 NFL week 15 football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017 in Pittsburgh. (Jim Mahoney via AP)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady walks on the field upon arriving at Heinz Field for an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick arrives at Heinz Field for an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski arrives at Heinz Field for an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
New England Patriots running back James White (28) signs an autograph for a fan after warming up before an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
New England Patriots free safety Devin McCourty (32) signs a trading card for a fan after warming up before an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
New England Patriots quarterbacks Tom Brady (12) and Brian Hoyer (2) run onto the field for warm ups before an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) acknowledges fans as he walks onto the field for warm ups before an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) warms up before an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) is tackled by New England Patriots free safety Devin McCourty (32) during the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
New England Patriots running back Rex Burkhead (34) scores during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
New England Patriots running back Rex Burkhead (34) scores during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Sean Spence (51) during the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) stiff arms Pittsburgh Steelers strong safety Sean Davis (28) during the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell (26) is tackled by New England Patriots outside linebacker Elandon Roberts (52) during the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
New England Patriots wide receiver Brandin Cooks (14) celebrates his touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
New England Patriots wide receiver Brandin Cooks (14) celebrates his touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
New England Patriots wide receiver Brandin Cooks (14) celebrates his touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
New England Patriots wide receiver Brandin Cooks, right, catches a touchdown pass from quarterback Tom Brady as he is tackled in the end zone by Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Mike Hilton (31) during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws a touchdown pass to wide receiver Brandin Cooks during the second half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Mike Hilton, right, breaks up a pass intended for New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Mike Hilton, right, breaks up a pass intended for New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Vince Williams (98) intercepts a pass intended for New England Patriots running back James White (28) during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) passes under pressure from Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward, right, during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
New England Patriots running back Rex Burkhead (34) scores during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
New England Patriots running back Rex Burkhead (34) scores during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) is sacked by Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward (97) during the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) catches a pass with Pittsburgh Steelers strong safety Sean Davis (28) defending during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) celebrates his touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. The Patriots won 27-24. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) slips a tackle by Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Artie Burns (25) for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) celebrates a two-point conversion during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. The Patriots won 27-24. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) comes down with a two-point conversion with Pittsburgh Steelers strong safety Sean Davis (28) defending during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. The Patriots won 27-24. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) slips the tackle of Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Artie Burns (25) and dives for the end zone for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. The Patriots won 27-24. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
New England Patriots strong safety Duron Harmon (30) celebrates his interception in the end zone of a pass from Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. The Patriots won 27-24. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
New England Patriots strong safety Duron Harmon, center, celebrates his interception in the end zone of a pass from Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. The Patriots won 27-24. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
New England Patriots strong safety Duron Harmon, center, celebrates his interception in the end zone of a pass from Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. The Patriots won 27-24. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) comes down with a two-point conversion with Pittsburgh Steelers strong safety Sean Davis (28) defending during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. The Patriots won 27-24. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jesse James (81) has a knee down before crossing the goal line with a pass from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger during the second half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) and New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) meet on the field following an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. The Patriots won 27-24. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. The Patriots won 27-24. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
New England Patriots strong safety Duron Harmon (30) celebrates as he walks off the field following an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. The Patriots won 27-24. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) celebrates as he walks off the field following an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. The Patriots won 27-24. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) and New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) meet on the field following an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. The Patriots won 27-24. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) walks off the field following an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. The Patriots won 27-24. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) celebrates with center Ted Karras (75) as they leave the field after defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers in an NFL football game , Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017, in Pittsburgh. The Patriots won 27-24. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
New England Patriots strong safety Duron Harmon (30) celebrates with strong safety Patrick Chung (23) after intercepting a pass in the end zone from Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger as time runs out in of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) arrive for the news conference after an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017, in Pittsburgh. The Patriots won 27-24. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) arrive for the news conference after an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017, in Pittsburgh. The Patriots won 27-24. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) answers questions during the news conference after an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017, in Pittsburgh. The Patriots won 27-24. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick answers questions during the news conference after an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017, in Pittsburgh. The Patriots won 27-24. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
Esta tarde los Patriots lograron un importante triunfo de 27-24 frente a los Steelers. Con este resultado, ahora ambos equipos tienen el mismo récord de 11-3 y lideran conjuntamente la conferencia. Una victoria que nos da la ventaja frente al equipo de Pittsburgh en caso que ambos acabemos con el mismo récord.
Un partido jugado bajo la lluvia que se decidió en los segundos finales tras una intercepción del safety de los Patriots Duron Harmon dentro de la zona de anotación.
"Es uno de esos días en los que juegas de ida y vuelta y donde juegas hasta el final, el balón rebota de manera extraña y estoy contento que haya sido a nuestro favor", dijo Brady al final del partido.
Las acciones
Una primera mitad pareja en donde ambos equipos movían con acierto las cadenas y sumaban puntos en el marcador.
La mayor diferencia se encontró en la posición del balón en la que los Steelers controlaron el tiempo, teniendo posesión del ovoide en 19:53 minutos frente a los 10:07 de Brady.
Prueba de ese dominio del reloj se reflejó en la última serie de los Steelers de esa primera mitad. Una serie que duró 8:39 y que terminó en anotación que le dio la ventaja por 17-10 al equipo de Roethlisberger.
Los segunda mitad
Los Patriots devuelven el favor cuando en la primera serie de la segunda mitad, Brady comanda una marcha de 12 jugadas y 75 yardas de 6:10 minutos, que terminó en touchdown de Brandin Cooks.
Lastimosamente el punto extra es fallado por Stephen Gostkowski, falla que mantuvo la ventaja de Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh 17 – Patriots 16.
La defensa de los Patriots controló bien a Pittsburgh con un juego de presión y marca individual que devuelve rápidamente el balón a Brady, el QB no supo aprovechar lo hecho por su defensa al lanzar un pase erróneo a Gronkowski que terminó en intercepción. Esta fue la primera vez que Brady era interceptado por el equipo de Pittsburgh desde el año 2005.
Los Steelers no desaprovechan el regalo y con un campo corto de 22 yardas frente a ellos anotan un TD tras una corrida de 3 yardas de Le'Veon Bell que los pone arriba 24-16
Después de un intercambio de posesión del balón, el pateador Stephen Gostkowski anota un gol de campo de 46 yardas que recorta la ventaja de los Steelers 24-19.
Con menos de 4 minutos por jugar, la defensa de New England hace su trabajo y devuelve rápidamente el balón a Brady.
Con 2:06 minutos en el reloj, Brady comanda la última y más importante marcha de su equipo.
Comenzando desde su propia yarda 23 el QB mueve las cadenas contando casi exclusivamente con Rob Gronkowski, el TE fue el receptor de 3 pases (26 yd, 26 yd y 17 yd).
Seguidamente, estando en la yarda 8, Brady entrega el balón al RB Dion Lewis quien lo lleva hasta la zona de anotación y pone adelante a su equipo por 1 punto: 25-24.
Los Patriots deciden no patear el punto extra e intentan la conversión de 2 puntos. Otra vez el balón va en dirección de la mejor arma ofensiva de Brady de esta tarde, Rob Gronkowski. El TE no decepciona y suma otros 2 puntos.
Una serie de 5 jugadas, 77 yardas de 1:10 de duración que puso el partido: Patriots 27 – Pittsburgh 24.
Cuando todo parecía ya decidido, Roethlisberger con solo 52 segundos en el reloj, realiza un pase corto a su WR Juju Smith Schuster quien avanza 66 yardas y pone el balón en la yarda 10 de New England.
El QB de Pittsburgh realiza un pase de TD a Jesse James pero los árbitros anulan la anotación ya que el TE no tuvo control del balón cuando hizo contacto con el campo.
Después de avanzar 7 yardas en el segundo y diez, el popular Big Ben – con solo 9 segundos en el reloj- intenta un pase corto por el medio al WR Eli Rogers, pero el pase es desviado por el CB Eric Rowe e mediatamente interceptado por el safety Duron Harmon. Jugada que selló el triunfo de New England.
Lo números
Un buen partido para Tom Brady quien completó 22 de 35 pases para 298 yardas y 1 TD. El QB fue capturado en 2 ocasiones (Bud Dupree y Cameron Heyward).
Como lo mencionamos, Rob Gronkowski fue su mejor arma al lograr 9 recepciones para 168 yardas. Brandin Cooks fue su segunda mejor opción con 4 de 7 recepciones para 60 yardas y 1 TD.
El juego de carrera hizo lo necesario en los momentos importantes. Dion Lewis acarreó 13 veces el balón para 67 yardas y 1 TD. Rex Burkhead contribuyó con 4 acarreos para 12 yardas y 1 TD. Vale mencionar que la participación de Burkhead en el partido fue corta ya que el jugador sufrió una lesión que lo hizo abandonar el partido cuando faltaban 9:23 en el tercer cuarto.
La defensa de los Patriots tuvo ciertos problemas controlando al QB Ben Roethlisberger quien completó 22 de 30 pases para 281 yardas y 2 TD y 2 capturas.
Ante la rápida salida del campo del WR Antonio Brown (lesión a la pantorrilla) el WR Jojo Smith fue el que más daño causó (6 recepciones, 114 yardas) mientras que, en el juego por tierra el RB Le'Veon Bell hizo lo suyo acarreando 24 veces el balón y sumando 117 yardas y 1 TD.
La secundaria de New England fiel a su estilo de "doblarse pero no romperse" hizo lo necesario y realizó jugadas claves en momentos claves del partido.
Conclusión
Una victoria que nos da el Campeonato de la División Este y lo más importante, nos pone adelante de los Steelers en caso que ambos terminemos primeros en la conferencia con el mismo récord. Una ventaja que de mantenerse nos hará jugar de locales durante nuestra participación en los playoffs.
Un triunfo electrizante de último segundo, digno de dos equipos que seguramente se volverán a encontrar en el camino próximamente. Un camino que esperemos, tenga como destino el Gillette.
