The New England Patriots take on the San Francisco 49ers in a regular season game at Levi's Stadium on Sunday, November 20, 2016.
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady walks on the field before an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady walks on the field before an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady walks on the field before an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
A San Francisco 49ers fan tailgates before an NFL football game between the San Francisco 49ers and the New England Patriots in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
A general view of Levi's Stadium prior to an NFL football game between the San Francisco 49ers and the New England Patriots, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016, in Santa Clara, Calif. (Ryan Kang via AP)
A New England Patriots fan wearing the jersey of quarterback Tom Brady (12) stands next to a San Francisco 49ers fan wearing the jersey of former quarterback Joe Montana inside Levi's Stadium before an NFL football game between the San Francisco 49ers and the New England Patriots in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman warms up before an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) yells while warming up before an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) yells while warming up before an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) warms up before an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) greets San Francisco 49ers head coach Chip Kelly before an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) greets friends on the field before an NFL football game between the San Francisco 49ers and the New England Patriots in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) warms up before an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Former San Francisco 49ers owner Edward DeBartolo, left, talks with New England Patriots chairman and CEO Robert Kraft before an NFL football game between the San Francisco 49ers and the New England Patriots in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick watches as players warm up before an NFL football game between the San Francisco 49ers and the New England Patriots in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, center, introduces his girlfriend Linda Holliday to former San Francisco 49ers owner Edward DeBartolo before an NFL football game between the San Francisco 49ers and the New England Patriots in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) catches a touchdown pass in front of San Francisco 49ers cornerback Keith Reaser (27) during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) celebrates after catching a touchdown pass with Danny Amendola against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) tries to escape from New England Patriots strong safety Patrick Chung (23) and defensive end Trey Flowers (98) before Chung sacked him during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) is sacked by New England Patriots strong safety Patrick Chung, bottom, during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) passes against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
New England Patriots running back James White (28) scores a touchdown against San Francisco 49ers cornerback Rashard Robinson during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) and running back James White (28) celebrate after connecting on a touchdown pass against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) celebrates after catching a touchdown pass with Danny Amendola against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) tries to escape from New England Patriots strong safety Patrick Chung (23) and defensive end Trey Flowers (98) before being sacked by Chung during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) is tackled by New England Patriots strong safety Patrick Chung (23) during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) runs against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
New England Patriots outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy (53) sacks San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) runs against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) runs against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) passes against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) runs against San Francisco 49ers strong safety Jaquiski Tartt (29) during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) gestures at the line of scrimmage against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) loses the ball as he his hit by San Francisco 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks, hidden, during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. Brady recovered the ball. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Rain falls on New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) during the first half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
New England Patriots fans hold up a sign for quarterback Tom Brady during the second half of an NFL football game between the San Francisco 49ers and the New England Patriots in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
New England Patriots wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell (19) runs past San Francisco 49ers cornerback Keith Reaser (27) to score a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) and wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell (19) celebrate after connecting on a touchdown pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
New England Patriots defensive end Trey Flowers (98) tackles San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
New England Patriots wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell (19) runs past San Francisco 49ers strong safety Antoine Bethea (41) to score a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick watches during the second half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) runs through a tackle attempt by San Francisco 49ers strong safety Antoine Bethea (41) during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) and quarterback Tom Brady (12) celebrate after the Patriots beat the San Francisco 49ers in an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
New England Patriots fullback James Develin (46) and quarterback Tom Brady celebrate after an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick speaks at a news conference after an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady speaks at a news conference after an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady speaks at a news conference after an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick speaks at a news conference after an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) passes against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Tras una gran actuación de su QB y líder Tom Brady, los Patriots vuelven a sumar en la columna de victorias tras ganar esta tarde 30-17 a los San Francisco 49ers en el Levi's Stadium de Santa Clara, California.
"En resumen, creo que jugamos duro. Fue una semana difícil después del juego frente a Seattle; venir aquí…Creo que los jugadores mostraron mucho compromiso toda la semana. Prepararse y venir con buena energía", resaltó Belichick en su conferencia.
Una actuación de los Patriots que empezó con el pie derecho ofensivamente, con 2 marchas que culminaron con pases de touchdown de Brady a Julian Edelman y James White respectivamente.
Una eficiencia ofensiva que duró hasta el comienzo del segundo cuarto de juego, en ese momento el ataque de los Pats tomó un largo receso ya que, en las próximas 5 marchas, jugando bajo una intensa lluvia, la ofensiva de Brady no sumó puntos.
"Logramos 2 marchas en las que anotamos, [tuvimos] buena posición en el campo de la que tomamos ventaja. Tuvimos penalidades las cuales a veces te sacan de tu curso y ellos también jugaron buena defensa. Me gustaría anotar cada vez, pero ellos (la defensa) lo hacen difícil también", afirmó Brady.
Dentro de este lapso el tackle Nate Solder cometió 2 faltas, una de ellas anuló una corrida de 37 yardas de TD del RB LeGarrette Blount.
En ese largo letargo ofensivo de los Pats, San Francisco se acerca y acorta la desventaja a 3 puntos (13-10). Pero es debido a su ineficiencia, y no a una notable mejora de la defensa de los Patriots, que el marcador no cambia hasta el último cuarto de juego.
En ese último cuarto Brady se pone el partido al hombro y con mucha maestría y garra vuelve a anotar 2 TDs con la contribución de Danny Amendola (un gran pase de Brady) y del WR Malcolm Mitchell. Este fue el primer TD del novato tras un pase de 56 yardas de Brady. Una exitosa y prometedora actuación por parte de Malcolm Mitchell (4 de 5, 98 yd, 1 TD).
Igualmente, importante fue la entrega mostrada por Julian Edelman, quien ante la ausencia de Chris Hogan, también fue en busca de balones a profundidad sin mucha fortuna. Un meritorio y corajudo desempeño de Edelman a lo largo de la tarde (8 de 17, 77 yd, 1 TD).
El RB James White tuvo una buena actuación y fue el receptor de pases de pantalla receptando 6 de 6 pases, 63 yd, 1 TD.
Brady acabó su gran actuación completando 24 de 40, 280 yd, 4 TDs. Nada mal si consideramos las condiciones poco propicias para lanzar y receptar balones.
El juego de carrera tuvo como novedad el regreso del RB Dion Lewis después de prácticamente un año de ausencia debido a una seria lesión a la rodilla ACL).
Lewis mostró que aún cuenta con los movimientos que lo hicieron uno de los jugadores favoritos del equipo. Ciertamente el entrenador no quiso arriesgarlo, limitándolo a 3 de 5 recepciones, 26 yd y a 5 acarreos para 23 yd.
"Creo que lo hizo bien, tuvo un buen comienzo, nos dio un poco de ayuda", comentó Belichick de Lewis.
LeGarrette Blount, eficiente como siempre, pasó por cuarta vez la marca de 100 yardas y fue el encargado de castigar a la línea defensiva de los 49ers. El RB terminó su actuación con 19 acarreos y 124 yd.
Así como la ofensiva tuvo un letargo de casi medio juego, la defensa pasó por un trance similar, o peor.
Tras un inicio alentador, manteniendo al QB Kaepernick bajo presión (4 sacks en poco más de un cuarto de juego) y cediendo solo 3 puntos, la defensa continuó mostrando los errores exhibidos la semana pasada frente a Seattle.
A la confusión y falta de entendimiento en la secundaria y en la línea de linebackers (particularmente cuando Dont'a Hightower salía del campo) se sumó la poca capacidad para controlar a los corredores en jugadas de pase. Una débil actuación de Elandon Roberts que mostró limitaciones en la cobertura.
La defensa de los Ptas terminó cediendo 122 yd en 27 acarreos de los 49ers.
Aunque no tan desastrosa como la última vez, la secundaria tuvo otra tarde poco satisfactoria cediendo 206 yardas y 2 TDs al QB Kaepernick (16 de 30, 206 yd, 2 TD, 5 sacks).
El LB Kyle Van Noy fue parte de la rotación junto al LB Shea McClellin. Van Noy nos dio muestras de que puede ejercer presión (1 sack). Una virtud que deberá ser más utilizada en el futuro.
Conclusión
Una actuación lejos de ser perfecta, jugada en condiciones pocos favorables no fueron excusas para que el equipo de New England no pudiera regresar a la senda del triunfo. Cierto que Brady sintió la ausencia, particularmente de Gronkowski, pero también vimos el resurgimiento de Malcolm Mitchell y el regreso de Dion Lewis, dos puntos positivos de esta tarde.
Ofensivamente se mejoró el pass rushing, pero la cobertura dejó mucho que desear. Aquí hay mucho que hacer.
Ahora regresamos a casa y en lugar de ver el vaso medio vacío, resaltemos los logros y avances y confiemos en que hay tiempo y calidad para enmendar las deficiencias.
Aún hay mucho camino por recorrer, aún hay tiempo para mejorar.
