The New England Patriots will become the first organization to play in nine Super Bowls after Sunday’s convincing 36-17 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship Game. Here’s what we learned:
It’s safe to say Bill Belichick and Tom Brady own the Steelers. While Houston’s defense harassed Brady into his worst performance of the season last week, Pittsburgh failed to generate a pass rush against a clicking New England aerial attack that succeeded with timely misdirection and play-action calls courtesy of master coordinator Josh McDaniels. Brady picked Keith Butler’s zone defense apart, taking particular advantage of ill communication and poor coverage on Chris Hogan. He finished with 384 passing yards with three touchdowns, tying Peyton Manning and Kurt Warner for the most postseason performances with at least 350 yards and three scores.
The Belichick-Brady duo will make their seventh Super Bowl appearance with New England, the most by any head coach and quarterback in NFL history. By the time the final whistle blows in Super Bowl LI, Brady will have been under center in 14 percent of all Super Bowls since the inaugural NFL-AFL championship in January 1967.
Los Patriotas de New England se convierten en la primera organizacion de la NFL en jugar su noveno Super Bowl, despues de su convincente victoria el domingo 36-17 sobre los Pittsburgs Steelers para ganar la Conferencia Americana y obtener el derecho de enfrentar a los Atlanta Falcons en el Super Bowl 51 el domingo 5 de febrero en Houston, Texas.
Con plena seguridad se debe decir que Bill Belichick y Tom Brady fueron la clave para controlar a los Steelers. Mientras la defensa de Houston inquieto a Brady la semana pasada, Pittsburg fallo en meter la presion necesiaria. Brady tuvo relativa libertad para conectar via aerea y finalizar con 384 pases y 3 anotaciones, igualando la marca dede Peyton Manning y Kurt Warner de mejores numeros en postemporada con al menos 350 yardas y 3 anotaciones.
La pareja Belichick-Brady disputara su septimo Super Bowl con New England, el maximo numero de apariciones para un Tecnico y un Mariscal de Campo en la historia de la NFL.