The New England Patriots take on the Buffalo Bills in a regular season game at New Era Field on Sunday, October 30, 2016.
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady walks toard the field before an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
New England Patriots quarterbacks Tom Brady (12) and Jimmy Garoppolo (10) head to the field before an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) walks toward the field with teammates before an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) runs on the field with teammates before an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Stadium Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft walks toward the field before an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
Former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly, left, talks to New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady before an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) runs on the field before an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
New England Patriots helmets are arranged on the sidelines during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws a pass to Danny Amendola for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Buffalo Bills cornerback Stephon Gilmore (24) forces New England Patriots' Chris Hogan (15) out of bounds during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan (15) runs away from Buffalo Bills' Stephon Gilmore (24) for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan (15) runs away from Buffalo Bills' Stephon Gilmore (24) for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Brandon Tate (15) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan (15) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
New England Patriots' Chris Hogan (15) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, right, hugs Chris Hogan after Hogan scored a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
The Buffalo Bills play the New England Patriots during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) catches a pass in front of Buffalo Bills' Nickell Robey-Coleman (21) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. Gronkowski scored a touchdown on the play. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
New England Patriots celebrate a touchdown by Rob Gronkowski (87) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) runs away from Buffalo Bills' Nickell Robey-Coleman (21) for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
New England Patriots' Rob Ninkovich (50) tackles Buffalo Bills' Jerome Felton (42) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
New England Patriots' Julian Edelman (11) celebrates with LeGarrette Blount (29) after scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
Buffalo Bills inside linebacker Preston Brown (52) watches as New England Patriots' Julian Edelman (11) stretches the ball across the goal line for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) runs for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws a pass to Rob Gronkowski for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12), Rob Gronkowski (87) and James Develin (46) head back to their side line after LeGarrette Blount scored a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) rushes past Buffalo Bills' Stephon Gilmore (24) and Nickell Robey-Coleman (21) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
New England Patriots' LeGarrette Blount rushes for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
Buffalo Bills inside linebacker Preston Brown (52) sacks New England Patriots' James White (28) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
New England Patriots' Rob Gronkowski (87) celebrates after LeGarrette Blount scored a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
New England Patriots' LeGarrette Blount (29) dives for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Buffalo Bills running back Mike Gillislee (35) runs for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) runs after making a catch during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Marcell Dareus (99) fights off a block during the second half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
New England Patriots' LeGarrette Blount (29) rushes during the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) breaks a tackle by New England Patriots' Rob Ninkovich (50) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
New England Patriots' Julian Edelman (11) runs after making a catch during the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) smiles during the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
New England Patriots free safety Duron Harmon (30) tackles Buffalo Bills' Mike Gillislee (35) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
New England Patriots' Tom Brady (12) throws a pass as Joe Thuney (62) blocks Buffalo Bills' Leger Douzable (91) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Buffalo Bills inside linebacker Zach Brown (53) sacks New England Patriots' Jimmy Garoppolo (10) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. The Patriots win 41-25. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
New England Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski (3) reacts after kicking a field goal during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan, left, shakes hands with New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, right, after an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. The Patriots win 41-25. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan, right, and New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick shake hands after an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. The Patriots win 41-25. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
New England Patriots' Danny Amendola (80) returns a kickoff during the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
New England Patriots' Rob Gronkowski (87) gestures to fans after an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. The Patriots win 41-25. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
New England Patriots' Devin McCourty (32) defends a pass to Buffalo Bills' Charles Clay (85) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick walks on the sidelines during the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. The Patriots win 41-25. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
Buffalo Bills' Reggie Bush (22) runs past New England Patriots' Shea McClellin (58) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) waves to fans after an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. The Patriots won 41-25. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
Sin duda que este juego estaba marcado con un círculo en el calendario de los Patriots. Haber perdido en el partido de ida, en el Gillette Stadium, por 16-0, con Brady viendo el juego por TV, era una deuda pendiente por saldar.
Y fue eso precisamente lo que los Patriots hicieron cuando esta tarde bajo el comando de Brady, jugando de visita en el New Era Stadium, en los suburbios de la ciudad de Buffalo, sumaron 41 puntos para vencer cómodamente al equipo de Rex Ryan 41-25.
"Fue bueno venir y ganar, también fue bueno contar con la contribución de todos. Tuvimos una sólida semana de práctica y jugamos relativamente sólidos hoy. No perfectos, pero hicimos muchas cosas bien", dijo Belichick en su conferencia después del triunfo.
Un partido donde la consigna era clara, anotar rápidamente y no bajar la guardia. Fue así que Brady comanda una primera marcha de 14 jugadas, de 6:30 de duración y de 70 yardas que termina en un TD de Danny Amendola.
El QB de 39 años, jugando con pasión y entrega siguió sumando pases y anotaciones, uno tras otro y acabando su participación con 22 de 33 pases completados para 315 yardas y 4 touchdowns.
"Cuando juegas contra un equipo como este, que tiene una buena defensa, un buen esquema, nunca sabes cuándo vas a tener una oportunidad y cuando la tuvimos, tratamos de tomar ventaja de ello", dijo Brady.
Como es usual, Brady uso la variedad de armas que tiene a su disposición. Dos de las cuales, tienen familiaridad con la ciudad de Buffalo: WR Chris Hogan (jugó con los Bills por 4 temporadas) y Rob Gronkowski (su ciudad natal).
Jugándose el primer cuarto de juego, Hogan recibe un bombazo de Brady que terminó en el segundo touchdown del partido. Un TD de 59 yardas del ex Bills quien logró una gran actuación y acabando su participación con 4 de 4 recepciones, 91 yardas, 1 TD.
Estando ya en el segundo cuarto, el QB conecta otro pase de anotación de 59 yardas, esta vez con su tight end Rob Gronkowski. Con este TD, su número 69, el popular ala cerrada se convierte en el mayor anotador de TDs de la historia del equipo de New England, sobrepasando las 68 anotaciones del WR Stanley Morgan.
"Es un honor venir a mi ciudad natal y obtener el record. Es increíble, debo darle crédito a mis compañeros y entrenadores…Es una experiencia increíble", dijo Gronkowski acerca de su gran logro.
Más tarde, a inicios del tercer cuarto, Brady conecta su cuarta anotación de la tarde tras dar un pase de 12 yardas a su WR Julian Edelman.
Brady logró comandar con acierto a su ofensiva a pesar de jugar bajo constante presión por parte de los pass rushers de los Bill, quienes le propinaron un castigo a la máxima estrella de los Pats.
El QB de New England terminó con 4 sacks y 9 golpes. Un día difícil para Nate Solder intentando contener al DT Kyle Williams y al LB Shaq Lawson.
En el plan de juego de los Patriots, la carrera tomó segundo plano ya que el equipo optó por dejar la responsabilidad del partido en el brazo de Brady. De cualquier manera la dureza de la defensa contra la carrera de los Bills controló con acierto a LeGarrette Blount que en 18 acarreos sumó 43 yardas.
La defensa de los Patriots, aunque irregular por momentos, logró su cometido.
Los Bills no contaron con su mejor arma ofensiva, el RB LeSean McCoy, pero igual se las ingeniaron para sumar yardas acarreando el balón en 26 ocasiones para 167 yardas y 3 TDs.
La secundaria tuvo un inicio incierto, pero consiguió frenar a los Bills cuando estos intentaron anotar un TD dentro de la zona roja durante el inicio del partido. El equipo de Rex Ryan tuvo que contentarse con un FG.
Los Bills solo anotaron en 2 de las 4 visitas que realizaron a la zona roja de los Pats.
Los CBs Malcolm Butler y Devin McCourty continúan jugando a un gran nivel mientras que el CB Eric Rowe (quien empezó el partido como el CB #2, cometió 3 faltas (2 de 29 yardas y una de 5).
De cualquier manera, la ofensiva aérea de los Bills con su QB Tyrod Taylor sumó 218 yardas, aunque muchas de ellas se lograron cuando el partido ya estaba definido.
Los equipos especiales también contribuyeron acertadamente. Amendola logró un gran retorno de 73 yardas (y otro de 24) mientras el pateador Stephen Gostkowski estuvo perfecto anotando 2 goles de campo (51 y 32 yardas) y 5 puntos extras (5 de 5).
Conclusión
Más allá de la revancha o de records obtenidos, se consiguió la meta. Acabar esta primera mitad de la temporada y entrar a la semana de descanso con un record nada despreciable de 7-1.
"Los 7 triunfos nos ponen en una posición decente", dijo Brady. "Pero el entrenador siempre nos dice que 7 triunfos no nos harán obtener nada en esta liga. Y él está en lo correcto, aún queda mucho football por jugar".
Cierto, aún queda mucho por jugar, lo mejor está por venir, pero es momento de realizar una pausa y regresar aún con más fuerza. Y así hacer de esta temporada, una muy especial. Para Brady, y para todos nosotros.
