The eleventh week of the NFL’s 2018 regular season started yesterday, and it will not see the New England Patriots participate as the team is currently enjoying its bye. This, of course, gives us a chance to look back and analyze the team’s season so far — one that has New England sit at 7-3. For this purpose, we will look at some key statistics and compare them to other teams around the league.
0
New England has not lost a home game so far this season and is a perfect 5-0 at Gillette Stadium.
The Patriots are one of 13 teams in the league not to go for two after a touchdown this season.
.568
The Patriots’ strength of victory is the best in the NFL. Yes, when the team loses it loses against weaker teams.
1
The Patriots are the only team in the league to score on both a kick return and a block this season. They did it in the same game too.
1.9
Tom Brady has an interception rate of 1.9%, 13th best in the league.
2
New England’s defense gives up 2.0 points per drive, 14th best in the NFL.
Only two players have returned kickoffs so far this season: Cordarrelle Patterson — one of only three players to scored a touchdown on a runback — and Sony Michel.
Stephon Gilmore leads the team with two forced fumbles.
2.3
New England’s offense scores 2.3 points per drive, which makes the unit the 10th most efficient in the NFL.
2.79
2.79% of the Patriots’ defensive drives end with interceptions, the seventh best rate in the league.
3
Three players have attempted passes so far this year: Tom Brady, Brian Hoyer and Julian Edelman.
Three players have returned punts so far this year: Julian Edelman, Riley McCarron and Cyrus Jones. Edelman is the only one left on New England’s roster.
LaAdrian Waddle leads the Patriots with 3.0 sacks given up.
3.5
Deatrich Wise Jr. leads New England with 3.5 sacks. The last two years, the sack leaders at the bye also stood at 3.5.
3.8
New England sacks opposing passers on 3.8% of drop-backs, the third worst number in the league.
4
Sony Michel and James White are tied for the team-lead with four rushing touchdowns, good enough for 14th in the NFL.
The Patriots have turnover differential of +4 through their first ten games. The Patriots are 4-1 when they win the turnover battle, and are 2-0 when they lose it.
4.2
On average, the Patriots are out-gained by 4.2 yards per contest.
4.3
New England’s offensive line gives up sacks on 4.3% of drop-backs, fourth best in the NFL.
4.4
The Patriots’ average scoring differential of 4.4 ranks them eighth in the league.
4.6
Tom Brady throws touchdowns on 4.6% of his throws, only the 20th best number in the NFL.
4.7
Just one team averages fewer than the Patriots’ 4.7 penalties per game. Rookie cornerback J.C. Jackson leads the team with five infractions.
5
Elandon Roberts leads the Patriots with five tackles for loss.
6
James White leads the Patriots with six receiving touchdowns. He is best among all NFL running backs in this category, and 10th overall.
Six defenders have recovered a fumble so far this season, none more than one.
6.7
Julian Edelman leads the Patriots with 6.7 receptions per game.
7
Only seven players have thrown more interceptions this season than Brady’s seven.
9
Nine Patriots defenders have registered a sack this season. Overall, the team has taken down opposing passers just 15 times.
10
LaAdrian Waddle surrendered 10 quarterback hurries so far this year, most on the team.
Trent Brown surrendered 10 quarterback hits so far this year, most on the team. Brown has played more than double Waddle’s snaps.
James White ranks sixth in the NFL in total touchdowns with 10.
10.3
10.3% of New England’s offensive drives ended with a turnover, the 12th best number in the league.
11
Brandon King leads the team with 11 special teams tackles, which also ties him for the most in the NFL.
New England’s favorite offensive group is 11 personnel (one running back, one tight end). The team ran variations of the formation on over 300 snaps.
12
The Patriots scored 12 rushing touchdowns so far this season, only two teams have more.
Adrian Clayborn leads New England’s defense with 12 quarterback hits.
Stephon Gilmore leads New England’s defense with 12 pass breakups.
A total of 12 players have found the end zone so far this season, three of which coming either on defense or special teams.
13
New England is tied for the league-lead with 13 players on injury-related reserve lists (IR/PUP/NFI).
14
14 Patriots have caught a pass so far this season, including quarterback Tom Brady.
14.4
14.4% of the Patriots’ defensive drives ended with a takeaway, the eighth best mark in the league.
17
Tom Brady’s 17 touchdown passes rank him 11th in the NFL through week 10.
18.3
Josh Gordon is sixth in the NFL with an average of 18.3 yards per reception.
19
Trey Flowers leads the Patriots defense with 19 quarterback hurries.
23.6
The Patriots surrender 23.6 points per game, 14th best in the NFL. Without points given up through offense and special teams, the unit ranks as the 18th best in the league.
28
The Patriots score 28.0 points per game, seventh in the NFL. Without points scored through defense and special teams it drops to ninth (25.9).
New England has used 28 different players on offense, the fourth most in the league.
29
New England has used 29 different players on defense, the eighth most in the league.
29:44
The Patriots’ time of possession — 29 minutes 44 seconds — has the team ranked 22nd in the NFL.
30.0
The Patriots’ offensive starting position is the ninth best in the league: the 30-yard line.
30.7
The Patriots’ defensive starting position is the sixth worst in the league: the 30.7-yard line.
30.9
Cordarrelle Patterson is second in the league with an average of 30.9 yards per kickoff return.
37.3
37.3% of the Patriots’ defensive drives end with a score. 16 teams are better than this.
39.7
New England converts 39.7% of its third down attempts on offense, 14th best in the league.
42.2
42.2% of the Patriots’ offensive drives end with a score. Six teams are better than this.
43.1
New England gives up 43.1% of its third down attempts on defense, eighth worst in the league.
46.3
Ryan Allen ranks ninth in the NFL with 46.3 yards per punt.
55
Stephen Gostkowski kicks touchbacks on 55.0% of his kickoffs, the 10th lowest number in the NFL.
60
The Patriots surrender touchdowns on 60% of their red zone series, 20th best in the NFL.
65.2
Tom Brady’s completion percentage is just the 19th best in the league.
65.7
The Patriots score touchdowns on 60% of their red zone possessions, 11th best in the NFL.
66
Kyle Van Noy leads the Patriots defense with 66 tackles.
James White leads the Patriots offense with 66 receptions, most among all NFL running backs and fifth most in the league overall.
86.4
Stephen Gostkowski has made 86.4% of his field goal attempts so far this year (19/22), which makes him the 14th most accurate kicker in the league.
89
James White leads all NFL running baks with 89 targets in the passing game.
100
Stephen Gostkowski has made all 31 of his extra point attempts — one of just ten kickers to do so.
108.5
The Patriots average 108.5 rushing yards per game, 18th most in the NFL.
166
New England used 166 unique offensive lineups so far this season, 18th most in the NFL.
453
Sony Michel leads the Patriots with 453 rushing yards despite missing three games. He has carried the football 106 times.
667
The Patriots ran 667 offensive plays so far this season, second most in the league.
689
Joe Thuney is the only offensive or defensive player to not leave the field so far this season. He has been on the field for all 689 offensive snaps.
2,748
Tom Brady is fifth in the NFL with 2,748 passing yards.
3,775
New England traveled 3,775 miles so far this season. 1,867 miles are still waiting.