Patriots at Packers: Week 13 By the Numbers

Each week, SoSH Football Central tracks the New England Patriots by the numbers and key statistics about the offense and defense.

Offense – Areas of Emphasis

Keeping Brady Upright: 1 sack in 36 dropbacks – 2.8% sack rate.

The sack was costly, coming on the Patriots’ final offensive play of the game and ending a drive for the potential go-ahead touchdown.

: 6.1 % sack rate.
Patriots season average: 3.2%

Run the ball! (Run/pass percentage on 1st & 2nd down) 16 runs, 29 passes (not incl. kneel-downs) – 35.6%.

: 47.9% run percentage on 1st & 2nd down.
Patriots season average: 44.3%

RB Yards Per Carry: () 17 carries for 85 yards, a 5.0 average.

League average: 4.1 YPC
Patriots season average: 4.2

Stay On the Field: (3rd/4th down success): 5 of 11 – 45.5%

Patriots season average: 47.9%

Trust Watch:

Brady’s passing success to receivers other than & .

22 targets for Edelman and Gronkowski, 13 to other (52.8% other).

RECEIVER	REC	YDS	AVG	TD	LG	TGTS
	5	38	7.6	2	15	7
	1	26	26.0	0	26	2
	1	23	23.0	0	23	1
	1	12	12.0	0	12	1
	0	0	0.0	0	0	1
	0	0	0.0	0	0	1
Team	8	99	12.4	2	26	13

 

Quarterback rating: 124.7

Brady Deep Ball Watch: (throws longer than 15 yards) 2 of 7 for 52 yards – 58.0 QB rating. Brady completed his first two deep attempts before missing his last five.

 

Defense – Areas of Emphasis

Getting after the QB: 3 sacks in 41 dropbacks – 7.3% sack rate.

: 6.1 % sack rate.
Patriots season average: 5.9%

The run defense: (RB YPC ) 22 carries for 100 yards, 4.5 YPC.

League average: 4.1 YPC
Patriots season average: 4.2 YPC

Defending the WRs:

WIDE RECEIVER	REC	YDS	AVG	TD	LG	TGTS
	6	121	20.2	0	45	11
	7	85	12.1	0	33	11
	2	53	26.5	1	45	6
	1	6	6.0	0	6	1
Team	16	265	16.6	1	45	29

Quarterback rating: 97.6

Defending TEs:

TIGHT END	REC	YDS	AVG	TD	LG	TGTS
	2	35	17.5	1	32	2
	2	17	8.5	0	9	2
Team	4	52	13.0	1	32	4

Quarterback rating: a perfect 158.3

Get Off the field! (3rd/4th down success) The Packers converted 10 of 16 (not counting the final kneel-down) – 62.5%.

Patriots season average: 43.9%

Miscellaneous

Injuries: Edelman left the game early in the second half with an apparent left thigh injury but returned later in the third quarter. Wide receiver left the game late in the third with a hamstring injury and did not return. Linebacker (shoulder) and (unknown) suffered injuries on the same fourth quarter play but both returned.

Penalties: 4 for 25 yards. Total of 99 for 861 yards, most in the NFL in penalties and total yards.

One positive statistic: The Patriots kept the game close with red zone success on both ends; they converted all three of their red zone opportunities, while Green Bay didn’t convert any of their four.

One negative statistic: The Packers scored on all five of their first-half drives (three field goals, two touchdowns), putting New England in a hole they could never quite climb out of.

The game in one statistic: The final score of 26-21 doesn’t necessarily suggest a shootout, but the score is a bit misleading. While in an game a team has 11.5 drives, New England and Green Bay each had just nine on Sunday. The Packers’ 2.89 points per drive was better than their league-leading figure of 2.74.

Dave Archibald goes by the numbers and writes frequently about pass defense and adjustments, including profiles of Brandon Browner, Kyle Arrington, Devin McCourty, Patrick Chung and the Revis(ed) secondary.