The New England Patriots take on the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Gillette Stadium on Thursday, August 18, 2016.
New England Patriots quarterbacks Jimmy Garoppolo (10) and Jacoby Brissett (7) take the field before a preseason NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots players warm up before a preseason NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels watch warm ups before a preseason NFL football game against the Chicago BearsThursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, left, walks with Boston Mayor Marty Walsh before a preseason NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft greets fans and poses for a selfie before a preseason NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots take the field at the start of a preseason NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots wide receiver DeAndre Carter (13) points before the start of a preseason NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots defensive end Chris Long wears an armful of tattoos before a preseason NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) passes over New England Patriots defensive lineman Anthony Johnson (65) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo gets pumped up before a preseason NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) passes against a rush by New England Patriots defensive lineman Trey Flowers (98) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) calls signals in the huddle during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots V'Angelo Bentley (9) tries to elude Chicago Bears' Jacquizz Rodgers (35) during a kick return during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots linebacker Jonathan Freeny (55) wraps up Chicago Bears running back Jeremy Langford (33) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft greets players on the sideline before a preseason NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots' V'Angelo Bentley (9) tries to elude Chicago Bears' Jacquizz Rodgers (35) during a kick-return during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
The Chicago Bears and New England Patriots face off at the line of scrimmage during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo passes against the Chicago Bears during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots cornerback Cyrus Jones (24) runs after making an interception with teammates during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots cornerback Cyrus Jones (24) celebrates his interception with Malcolm Butler (21) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots cornerback Cyrus Jones (24) celebrates his interception with teammates during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Chicago Bears ,Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Chicago Bears safety Adrian Amos (38) tackles New England Patriots running back Tyler Gaffney (36) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount, left, celebrates his touchdown with tight end A.J. Derby during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) signals to teammates during the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft applauds on the sideline before a preseason NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots tight end A.J. Derby (86) runs after catching a pass while Chicago Bears linebacker Jonathan Anderson (58) defends during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) celebrates his touchdown pass to A.J. Derby during the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) celebrates his touchdown pass to A.J. Derby with Chris Harper, right, during the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29 rushes with the ball during the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) passes against a rush by Chicago Bears linebacker Leonard Floyd (94) during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots cornerback Cyrus Jones (24) runs from Chicago Bears linebacker Jarrett Grace (45) during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan (15) catches a pass to score a two-point conversion in front of Chicago Bears cornerback Demontre Hurst (30) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots tight end A.J. Derby, right, celebrates his touchdown catch with wide receiver Aaron Dobson (17) during the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots tight end Clay Harbor (81) runs from Chicago Bears linebacker John Timu (53) during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) passes against the Chicago Bears during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia looks on during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots cornerback Cyrus Jones (24) guards Chicago Bears wide receiver Kevin White (13) during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, right, talks with quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) on the sideline during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Chicago Bears quarterback Brian Hoyer passes against the New England Patriots during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) runs from Chicago Bears linebacker Lamin Barrow (57) during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots tight end A.J. Derby (86) catches a pass in front of Chicago Bears linebacker Lamin Barrow (57) during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan (15) rushes with the ball during the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo licks his fingers as he watches from the sideline during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots running back Tyler Gaffney (36) runs against the Chicago Bears after catching a pass during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, right, instructs quarterback Jacoby Brissett during the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett signals to the sideline during the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Chicago Bears head coach John Fox, left, speaks to New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia after a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) speaks to New England Patriots linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill (48) at midfield after a preseason NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, left, speaks to Chicago Bears head coach John Fox at midfield after a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots won 23-22. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Chicago Bears tackle Kyle Long, left, speaks to his brother, New England Patriots defensive end Chris Long, right, at midfield after a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Chicago Bears head coach John Fox, left, speaks to Bears tackle Kyle Long, center, and his brother, New England Patriots defensive end Chris Long, right, at midfield after a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots won 23-22. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots center David Andrews (60) lines up during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo speaks to the media after a preseason NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) celebrates after leading his team to a touchdown during an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. New England won 23-22. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick speaks to the media after a preseason NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Esta noche los Patriots de New England consiguieron su segunda victoria consecutiva de la pretemporada al vencer 23 a 22 a los Bears de Chicago.
Un partido en el cual esperábamos ver a Brady, solo tuvo a Jimmy Garoppolo y a Jacoby Brissett como sus quarterbacks.
Un inicio que nos hizo recordar lo ocurrido la semana pasada frente a los Saints, empezó a tomar una mejor forma cuando la línea ofensiva le ofreció una mejor protección a Garoppolo. Nate Solder y Marcus Cannon controlaron mejor los bordes mientras que el novato Joe Thuney seguía demostrando su calidad como guardia izquierdo.
Junto a una mejor protección, un juego ofensivo variado le dio a Garoppolo la oportunidad de realizar una buena actuación. Garoppolo acabó la noche completando 16 de 21 pases para 181 yardas, 1 TD, no intercepciones, no sacks.
"Tampoco tuvimos un buen comienzo esta vez. Empezamos con otro 3 y afuera lo cual nunca es bueno, pero después de eso, creo que logramos un buen ritmo ofensivo", relató Garoppolo en su conferencia.
El punto de quiebre, que empezó a inclinar la balanza a favor de los Pats fue cuando el CB Cyrus Jones intercepta un balón faltando 3:52 para la mitad y Garoppolo con un juego efectivo terrestre de LeGarrette Blount cortan el déficit a 2 puntos (Bears 11, Pats 9).
Luego lo que vendría (después de un fallido intento de los Bears) fue lo mejor de la noche cuando Garoppolo desde la posición shotgun y usando el "no huddle", comanda un drive de 2 minutos que culmina con un TD de 16 yardas tras un pase al TE A.J. Derby.
Garoppolo también hizo uso de sus corredores para darle variedad a su ofensiva, particularmente sobresalieron los RBs: LeGarrette Blount (11 carreras, 69 yd, 1 TD) y Tyler Gaffney (11 carreras, 31 yd).
Gaffney también contribuyó con recepciones de pases cortos (3 de 3, 11 yds) al igual que el RB James White (2 de 3, 17 yds).
El juego aéreo estuvo variado, en total se usaron 14 receptores en la noche. Garoppolo finalmente pudo demostrar lo que venía haciendo con el WR Chris Hogan cuando ambos conectan para un pase de 25 y otro de 20 yardas. Hogan acabó la noche con 4 pases y 56 yardas.
"Soy uno de los nuevos y solo trato de comunicarme con ellos para hacerles saber que estamos compaginados, Jimmy me encontró un par de veces, eso fue increíble", contó Hogan.
EL TE Derby se convirtió en el receptor con más atrapadas acabando la noche con 6 de 7 recepciones, 71 yd, 1 TD. La calidad de Derby para atrapar balones complicados se puso en manifiesto esta noche.
"Solo trato de mejorar y quiero ver el video para saber cómo lo hice", comentó el TE.
En la defensa sobresalió el DT Anthony Johnson quien se convirtió en una amenaza para los Bears, particularmente en jugadas de tercer down, Johnson consiguió ½ captura y ejerció constante presión.
"Así es mi juego, vertical, hacia adelante en el campo, trato de esa manera de ayudar a la secundaria", remarcó.
La secundaria también logró retomar la compostura después que el CB Justin Coleman cediera 2 pases importantes al WR de los Bears Alshon Jeffery (29 y 12 yardas), además de una penalidad.
Trey Flowers volvió a causar pavor con su pass rushing, logrando derribar al QB de Chicago en una ocasión. Flowers logró ½ captura y 3 tacles.
"Me sentí muy bien de poder tener otra actuación ok. Poder ejercer un par de presiones y de producir para mi equipo", expresó Flowers al final del partido.
Jacoby Brissett jugando con suplentes no desentonó, el novato WR completó 9 de 13 pases para 182 yardas y 1 TD. Mostró tener un buen brazo y agilidad para moverse y salir de la bolsa de protección. Un gran pase de Brissett a Derby de 26 yardas (quien logra una atrapada espectacular) fue una de las mejores jugadas de la noche.
Conclusión
Un partido típico de pretemporada, donde se vieron avances en comparación del primero y donde Jimmy Garoppolo mostró mayor soltura y comodidad comandando la defensa.
La aparición de armas nuevas como Chris Hogan, A.J. Derby, así como por parte de la defensa: DE Trey Flowers, DT Anthony Johnson y CB Cyrus Jones siempre es resaltante y grato de ver.
Ahora a prepararse y seguir mejorando y ajustando algunas tuercas para enfrentar esta vez de visita a los Carolina Panthers.
Quizás finalmente veamos debutar al Brady o quizás no, veremos que ocurre.
