Patriots vs. Rams: By the Numbers

Highlighting a few numbers that stood out from the Patriots 45-7 week eight victory over the St. Louis Rams:

86%

The Patriots red zone efficiency against the Rams - 6 for 7. They were also 5 for 6 in goal to goal efficiency. I'm sure a theme for the offense all week was "finishing drives", and the Patriots did exactly that today against the Rams.

0

Number of combined quarterback hits and sacks on Tom Brady. The Rams featured a talented front four that included Robert Quinn, Chris Long, and Michael Brockers - yet they couldn't get any pressure on Brady throughout the game. The credit has to go to the Patriots' offensive line, who were missing All-Pro guard Logan Mankins. The unit seems to be coming together after a rough start to the season, and this afternoon's game was definitely this unit's best of the year.

146

Receiving yards for Patriots' tight end Rob Gronkowski, easily his highest total of the season. Gronkowski clearly still isn't 100%, but hopefully he can get to that point after the bye week. Either way, it's great to see Gronk back to being his dominating self.

30%

The Rams' offensive third down efficiency. That's a good mark for the Patriots' defense, and shows yet another area of improvement.

12

Number of penalties for the Rams against the Patriots. If there was any chance of the Rams being in the game, shooting themselves in the foot time after time didn't help. Cornerback Bradley Fletcher struggled in particular, getting called for thee pass interference penalties - all of which were on third downs.

3

Runs of 20+ yards for running back Stevan Ridley. He had a rebound game following a couple of weeks of less than stellar running. Hopefully, today's big game, in which he totaled 127 yards and a touchdown, means he can put that fumble from a few weeks ago against the Broncos behind him.

17

Consecutive games that the Patriots surpassed 350 total yards on offense, a new NFL record. Tom Brady also had his 50th career game with more than 300 yards passing. The unit, from drive to drive and quarter to quarter, has been somewhat inconsistent in 2012, but this mark represents something completely opposite: remarkable consistency.