How Did The New England Patriots React To Win Over Giants?

Nov 15, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) breaks away from New York Giants strong safety Brandon Meriweather (22) to score a touchdown during the game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Rob Gronkowski

It was a nice kick to seal the deal and was an unbelievable win. We fought hard the whole game. They played great and tough. We just played 60 minutes and got that W.

Q: What did you see on that touchdown run? It seemed like two guys kinda run into one another and you looked around to see if you were free.

A: I just had a seam. I ran up the middle and tried to get open. Tom made a nice throw. I saw the safety coming and made a little move. He missed and I was free from there on out. So it was good execution on the offense and I just finished the job.

Q: Were you surprised there was no one there when you caught it and made that move?

A: Yeah I mean, I never had that before, so it was just a great execution play overall. When the ball is thrown to me, I just have to go and make a play.

Q: Rob, how much does Julian mean to this offense and how much tougher did things get when he went out?

A: He means a whole lot to this offense. Hopefully he comes back ASAP.

Q: Slater said this was a character building game for you guys the way you had to battle back.

A: Definitely. That game definitely built some character, being down, being up and then being down again with two minutes left. We just showed some resilience. The offense didn’t give up. You gotta give it to Danny with his punt returns and making crucial catches in that two minute drive. Tom made some good calls and good throws. So it was a good solid team win and we played for 60 minutes.

Q: What did Tom say in the huddle before that game winning drive?

A: Let’s just go! We gotta go. We gotta do what we gotta do. This is all or nothing on this drive.

Q: Since you guys have been in this position before, and have one of the most veteran quarterbacks in the game, how much confidence do you guys have in a situation like that?

A: You gotta have confidence on drives like that. With two minutes left and you’re down – you need a field goal or a touchdown, you gotta be ready and be focused. You have to be locked in that you’re gonna get the job done.

Q: You have a kicker like Steven Gostkowski coming in a situation like that, what’s going through your mind?

A: He’s gonna hit it. He works hard, he practices hard and he’s always working on his kicks. You saw that, it went right down the middle. It could’ve gone for 60 yards easily, so he’s got a great leg. He’s the best out there.

Q: Every time you guys meet up – the Patriots and the Giants – it’s always seems to be one of these types of games.

A: They’re a tough team. They play hard. That defense is tough. It’s always a close game and down to the last second. You have to play 60 minutes.

Q: How much do you embrace being a part of a game like this?

A: It’s unreal. This game was so fun today. You just gotta love the game of football. Being part of it just shows how football is so much fun. I love playing the game. Games like this, down to the wire and getting that W is awesome.

Malcolm Butler

Q: When you knocked that ball out in the end zone, how confident were you that they were going to overturn it?

A: I mean, look how the rule is. I mean, you can catch the ball and fall and come up. I mean, that’s not a completion but that’s what’s different. You’re just standing up. I’ve got to believe that we were going to get the call.

Q: You had quite the performance out there, what were your thoughts after the initial play – the 87-yard touchdown?

A: You know, I probably just had to get a feel for him. We missed a tackle. If we made the tackle, it could have made a difference in the game. That was a great play by him. Good player.

Q: …this as character-building for the defense with the way it played out and you had to come back. How would you describe it?

A: Determination. Situational football. You know, it was a great win. It’s all I can say about it – great win. You know, it was one of, the second-toughest comeback I’ve ever been in.

Q: How much fun was it to play that well against one of the best receivers in the NFL?

A: It was a good feeling. It’s a week to week league. You’ve just got to be on it. Keep moving, keep moving and improving.