The New England Patriots take on the Los Angeles Chargers in a Divisional Playoff game at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, January 13, 2019.
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, left, and Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers speak at midfield after an NFL divisional playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Fans cheer and hold a sign referring to New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady during the second half of an NFL divisional playoff football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Patriots, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) runs after catching a pass against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Down judge Sarah Thomas works along the sideline during the second half of an NFL divisional playoff football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the New England Patriots, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. Thomas is the first woman to officiate an NFL playoff game. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots defensive end Trey Flowers (98) sacks Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers during the second half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) and Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (42) collide on their helmet crowns during the second half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is tackled by Los Angeles Chargers defensive back Adrian Phillips after catching a pass during the second half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots running back Sony Michel (26) runs from Los Angeles Chargers outside linebacker Kyle Emanuel (51) during the second half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady passes between Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (42) and defensive back Desmond King (20) during the second half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) hits the turf after being knocked down by New England Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower (54) during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots running back Sony Michel (26) tumbles into the end zone for his third touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots defensive end Trey Flowers (98) sacks Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, right, gives a high-five to quarterback Tom Brady during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady celebrates a touchdown run by running back Sony Michel during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) passes while tackle Marcus Cannon blocks Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa (99) during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots running back Rex Burkhead (34) gets a lift from Rob Gronkowski, center, as Tom Brady (12) joins the celebration after Burkhead's touchdown during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, center, passes under pressure from Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Melvin Ingram (54) during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots running back Rex Burkhead runs toward the goal line for a touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady celebrates one of his team's five first-half touchdowns against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Los Angeles Chargers linebackers Uchenna Nwosu (42) and linebacker Nick Dzubnar (48) close in to tackle New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots running back Sony Michel (26) runs away from Los Angeles Chargers free safety Derwin James (33) during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) passes under pressure from Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Damion Square (71) during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady celebrates his touchdown pass to Phillip Dorsett during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, right, celebrates a touchdown run by running back Sony Michel (26) during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots running back Sony Michel heads for the goal line and his second touchdown during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers passes under pressure from New England Patriots defensive end John Simon (55) during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots running back Sony Michel (26) scores a touchdown in front of Los Angeles Chargers defensive tackle Darius Philon (93) during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) passes under pressure from Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa (99) during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) catches a pass in front of Los Angeles Chargers defensive back Desmond King during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Los Angeles Chargers defensive back Adrian Phillips (31) tackles New England Patriots running back Sony Michel (26) during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady drops back to pass against the Los Angeles Chargers defensive during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski warms up before an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady charges onto the field before an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady charges onto the field before an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Fans wait in frigid temperatures before an NFL divisional playoff football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the New England Patriots , Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman warms up before an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman warms up before an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Por octava vez consecutiva los Patriots avanzan a la final de la conferencia americana de la AFC tras vencer categóricamente a los LA Chargers por 41-28 en el juego realizado esta tarde en el Gillette Stadium ante 65,878 espectadores.
"Fue un gran trabajo de nuestro equipo el de hoy, no podría estar más orgulloso del esfuerzo de los entrenadores y jugadores", dijo Belichick al iniciar su conferencia de prensa.
Un partido que se inició con ambos equipos anotando en sus primeras posesiones de balones.
Primero los Patriots con un TD (tras una marcha de 14 jugadas, 83 yardas y 7:11 que acabó con una corrida de 1 yarda del novato RB Sony Michel) y luego con los Chargers igualando el marcador (con un pase de TD de 43 yardas del QB Rivers al WR Keenan Allen). Una rápida respuesta que hacía presagiar que sería un partido de ida y vuelta, sin embargo, está posibilidad se esfumó rápidamente cuando los Patriots, tras consecutivas anotaciones, se van al descanso de medio tiempo con una ventaja de 35-7, un marcador que prácticamente selló el destino del partido.
Brady comandó una ofensiva letal que combinó el juego aéreo con el terrestre. El veterano QB completó 23 de 29 pases en la primera mitad para 233 yardas, acabando el juego completando 34 de 44 pases para 343 yardas y 1 TD. El QB se mantuvo libre de capturas e intercepciones.
Brady contó con la principal colaboración de Julian Edelman (9 recepciones, 151 yardas) y de James White (15 recepciones y 97 yardas).
Aunque la estrella Rob Gronkowski solo tuvo una recepción para 25 yardas, su contribución en el bloqueo fue fundamental para el éxito de su QB.
"Receptar, bloquear, no importa, lo que dicte la jugada elegida solo tengo que salir y hacer mi trabajo", manifestó Gronk en su conferencia.
La ofensiva de Brady también basó su éxito en la efectividad de su juego terrestre. Sony Michel corrió en 24 ocasiones para 129 yardas y 3 touchdowns; sin duda, una formidable tarde para el novato RB.
"Creo que ambas fases fueron importantes hoy. No puedes ser de una sola dimensión en esta clase de partidos", dijo Brady acerca de la buena labor de su juego de carrera.
Al igual que la ofensiva, la defensa tuvo una actuación destacable. Mas allá de ese pase inicial de 43 yardas para touchdown, el QB Philip Rivers solo sumó otras 78 yardas aéreas y 0 puntos durante el resto de la primera mitad.
Ciertamente que los números mejoraron en la segunda mitad para Rivers, pero también es cierto que para ese entonces la suerte ya estaba echada y los Patriots jugaban a 'media maquina' esperando el final del partido.
Rivers terminó su actuación completando 25 de 51 pases para 331 yardas, 2 capturas y 1 INT.
En lo que se refiere al temible juego de carrera de los Chargers, debido al gran déficit en que cayó su equipo y a la buena labor de la defensa de los Pats, fue limitado a 10 corridas para 19 yardas y 1 TD.
Resumiendo
Tras esta imponente victoria, los Patriots se trasladarán a Kansas City para jugar el partido por el Campeonato de la Conferencia Americana. Un juego complicado, pero no imposible para los Patriots. Ganar de la manera en que lo hicieron hoy solo brinda optimismo a los fans e incluso a los propios jugadores, y solo sirve para demostrar al resto de la liga, que hay Patriots para por lo menos, una semana más.
