View the best images from the Patriots Week 2 game against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, September 18, 2016.
New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo takes the field to warm up before an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots running back James White (28) slaps hands with quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) as he takes the field to warm up before an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross, left, speaks to New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft before an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots fans hold up masks of quarterback Tom Brady before an NFL football game between the Patriots and the Miami Dolphins Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. Brady is suspended for the first four games of the season. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, left, greets Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz on the sideline before an NFL football game between the New England Patriots and the Miami Dolphins Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) rushes for a touchdown against Miami Dolphins safety Reshad Jones (20) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) scores a touchdown ahead of a the tackle attempt from Miami Dolphins safety Reshad Jones (20) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola, left, celebrates his touchdown with Julian Edelman, right, during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola, left, celebrates his touchdown with Julian Edelman, right, during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola, left, celebrates his touchdown with teammates during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) calls signals at the line of scrimmage during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) passes against the Miami Dolphins during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) celebrates his second touchdown pass against the Miami Dolphins with teammates during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett (88) is tackled by Miami Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard (25) and defensive end Terrence Fede (78) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett (88) scores a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016 in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett celebrates his touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) celebrates his second touchdown pass against the Miami Dolphins with teammates during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots defensive end Chris Long (95) hits Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) after he threw a pass during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots linebacker Jamie Collins (91) dives for a tackle against Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) scores his second touchdown as he is tackled by Miami Dolphins cornerback Bobby McCain (28) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) flips a pass to Martellus Bennett (88) while in the grasp of Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Jordan Phillips (97) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Miami Dolphins linebacker Koa Misi (55) dives to tackle attempt on New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) talks to New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) passes over Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Jordan Phillips (97) and linebacker Jelani Jenkins (53) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
General view of Gillette Stadium before an NFL football game between the Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
Miami Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi (23) lands on his head after being tackled by New England Patriots cornerback Logan Ryan (26) and safety Patrick Chung (23) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola celebrates his touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots fans cheer during the first half of an NFL football game between the Patriots and the Miami Dolphins Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots linebacker Jamie Collins (91) runs from Miami Dolphins' Jay Ajayi (23) after he intercepted a pass during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, center, alongside head coach Bill Belichick, right, congratulates quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) after LeGarrette Blount's touchdown run during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett (88) rushes after catching a pass as Miami Dolphins defensive back Isa Abdul-Quddus (24) closes in during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) pitches the ball in front of Miami Dolphins safety Michael Thomas (31) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Miami Dolphins tight end Jordan Cameron, left, catches a touchdown pass in front of New England Patriots safety Patrick Chung (23) and Jamie Collins during the second half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) scrambles away from Miami Dolphins defensive end Mario Williams (94) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots running back James White (28) tries to elude Miami Dolphins defensive back Byron Maxwell (41) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, right, talks with quarterback Jacoby Brissett during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots defensive back Duron Harmon (30) intercepts a pass in the end zone intended for Miami Dolphins wide receiver DeVante Parker, left, during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots won 31-24. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Miami Dolphins running back Kenyan Drake, left, gives his jersey to former Alabama teammate and New England Patriots cornerback Cyrus Jones (24) at midfield after an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) and wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) speak at midfield after an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Miami Dolphins running back Kenyan Drake, left, speaks to former Alabama teammate and New England Patriots cornerback Cyrus Jones (24) at midfield as Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) walks past after an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Miami Dolphins linebacker Jelani Jenkins (53) and New England Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) speak at midfield after an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Miami Dolphins defensive end Julius Warmsley (73) and New England Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) speak at midfield after an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
End Zone Militia members congratulate New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) after an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots defensive lineman Jabaal Sheard (93) and Miami Dolphins tight end Jordan Cameron (84) speak at midfield after an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Esta tarde los Patriots de New England lograron su segunda victoria consecutiva al vencer con susto y de manera angustiosa, 31-24 a los Dolphins de Miami.
"Hicimos las suficientes jugadas para ganar ajustadamente, pero igual recibimos [la victoria] y seguimos adelante", dijo Belichick en su conferencia.
Un partido que parecía convertirse en una cómoda victoria por parte de los Patriots (llevaban una ventaja de 31-3 sobre Miami), sufrió un cambio de fortuna cuando en una jugada de 3 y 9, a 4:57 de la mitad, el LB Kiko Alonso derriba a Jimmy Garoppolo quien cae e impacta fuertemente su hombro derecho en el césped artificial.
Tras esa jugada el QB de New England salió del partido para no regresar.
Garoppolo termina su corta faena completando 18 de 27 para 234 yardas y 3 touchdowns.
"Es difícil cuando cualquier jugador tiene que salir por lesión, pero desafortunadamente es parte del juego, es football. Ahora todos tienen que hacer su trabajo un poco mejor", anotó Edelman desde el vestuario.
Hasta antes de la lesión de Garoppolo, los Patriots habían realizado un juego dinámico y letal. El QB de NE distribuía el balón entre sus variadas armas aéreas con precisión y sabiduría. WRs Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola (2 TD), Chris Hogan e inclusive el TE Martellus Bennett (1 TD) participan de este gran inicio.
Una vez que sale Garoppolo e ingresa el novato Jacoby Brissett, las cosas empiezan a tomar un rumbo diferente. Cierto, los Patriots añaden otros 10 puntos (gol de campo de Gostkowski y corrida de Blount) poniendo el marcador 31-3, pero la ofensiva ya no era la misma.
Brissett desarrolla un juego muy cauteloso, con pases cortos de pantalla y jugando con el play action.
El novato QB terminó su actuación completando 6 de 9 pases para 92 yardas.
"Me sentí preparado e hice lo suficiente para que aseguremos la victoria", expresó el novato QB en su conferencia.
Miami, a pesar de un déficit de 4 anotaciones, no se da por vencido.
Con la complacencia de una defensa de los Pats desorientada, sin capacidad de ejercer presión en el QB y con mucha dificultad para frenar a los receptores de Miami, Tannehill lleva a su equipo a cortar déficit a solo 7 puntos (31-24 ) a 6:10 del final.
Al final del juego Tannehill completó 32 de 45 para 389 yd y 2 TDs.
Es aquí cuando la experiencia de LeGarrette Blount sale a flote y el RB se lleva el partido a los hombros acarreando efectivamente el balón y de esta manera, dejando menos tiempo en el reloj. Una decisión de Belichick quien prefirió la experiencia del RB en lugar de arriesgarse con el QB Brissett.
"Trato de asegurarme de sacar provecho de las oportunidades que se me brindan. Hago todo lo que pueda para que las cosas favorezcan al equipo. Y la línea ofensiva hizo un gran trabajo", manifestó Blount de su ocupada actuación de la segunda mitad.
El RB de los Pats terminó su jornada corriendo en 29 ocasiones para 123 yardas y 1 TD.
Cabe también señalar la buena actuación del TE Martellus Bennett con unas recepciones claves durante la segunda mitad (37, 15 y 16 yd).
Bennett finalizó su actuación receptando 5 de 6 pases para 114 yds, 1 TD).
A pesar del buen trabajo de Blount y Bennett, los Patriots pierden su oportunidad de extender la ventaja a 10 puntos cuando a solo 1:08 del final, el K Stephen Gostkowski falla un gol de campo de 39 yardas dándole una última oportunidad a los visitantes de empatar el juego
Los Dolphins intentan una vez más y a solo 9 segundos del final, en una situación de 4y 5, el QB Ryan Tannehill lanza el balón al endzone. El balón es interceptado por el DB Duron Harmon poniendo de esta manera fin al partido.
Conclusión
Un partido que tuvo 2 partes totalmente diferentes. Con y sin Garoppolo. Fue como que la salida del popular Jimmy G afectó a todos (ofensiva y defensa) y el juego se desdibujó completamente.
Más vale que el equipo retome su buen juego y encuentre la concentración necesaria para enfrentar un duro encuentro frente a los Houston Texans este próximo jueves por la noche. Una situación complicada pero confiemos en Belichick y en los jugadores con más experiencia para ayudar a retomar la senda del buen juego y continuar con los triunfos.
No hay tiempo para lamentaciones. Solo queda seguir con lo que hay.
