Let’s look at a few things from the Celtics’ wins on Friday and Sunday:

FRIDAY NIGHT - CELTICS WIN 118-90 OVER BULLS

* - Boston shot 58.1% from the floor against the Bulls, making them 16-2 when they shoot 58% or better since 2005-06. It’s interesting that there have only been 9 teams over the last 4+ seasons that have shot 58% or better and lost in that span and the Celtics are the only team with 2 such losses.

* - Boston held Charlotte and Chicago to a combined 2 for 25 (8%) from 3-pt range. No team has held two straight opps to a lower combined % (on 20+ attempts) since Phoenix held the Hornets to 1-14 and the Nets to 0-11 on Nov. 22 and 24, 2006.

* - New Celtic Shelden Williams went 6 for 6 from the line on Friday night, the 5th time in his career that he’s been perfect on 6+ attempts (he was exactly 6-6 in all five games). He’s a career .789 FT shooter in the NBA. “Gary from Chapel Hill” feels it necessary to point out that Williams was shot just .590 in games against the North Carolina Tar Heels while he was at Duke.

SUNDAY NIGHT - CELTICS WIN 97-87 OVER HORNETS

* - The Hornets made 13 threes on Sunday against the Celtics but scored just 87 points. It’s just the 2nd time since ‘86 that a Celtics opponent has made 13+ three-pointers and failed to break 100 points. It was just the 7th time in the last 23 years that an NBA team has made 13+ threes and scored 87 points or fewer in a game. In 2002, Houston knocked down 13 threes but managed only 79 points.

* - Paul Pierce scored 27 pts on just 14 FGA, the 45th time in his career that he’s scored 25+ points on 15 or fewer shots. That does not include the five such games he’s had in the playoffs. He ranks 10th (since 86-87) in the NBA in those games:

101 - Reggie Miller
100 - Charles Barkley
   86 - Karl Malone

* - The Celtics held the Hornets to 42% shooting (actually .4197). They’ve held all 4 opponents this season to under 42% from the floor. The longest such streaks since the start of the 2004-05 season:

9 - Boston Celtics (2/25/08 through 3/12/08)
7 - Cleveland Cavaliers (11/25/08 through 12/6/08)
7 - Dallas Mavericks (11/2/04 through 11/13/04)

* - Boston has scored 20+ points in all 16 quarters this season and have done it in 27 straight regular season quarters dating back to last season.

* - The Celtics are allowing an average of 31 points in the paint this season, tied for the fewest in the league so far.

NEXT UP - TUESDAY NIGHT AT PHILLY

* - Sixers are 2-1 (1-0 at home) this season.
 
* - Philadelphia scored 141 points against the Knicks in their last game, the first time they’ve scored 140+ points since they did it ON CONSECUTIVE NIGHTS in 1990.

* - The Sixers currently lead the NBA in FG% (.526) and are tied for 1st in average fast break points (17.7).

So here we are in Week 8 and the Patriots are off. What to do? I know! I’ll throw out a bunch of somewhat random NFL nuggets that I’ve run across recently. Enjoy!

* - The team that has more total first downs has won 65.7% of games since 1990. This season, those teams are 68-29 (70.1%). Who’s “won” the first down battle most often so far:

New Orleans - 5-0 with 1 tie (won all 5)
New England - 6-1 (won 5 of those 6)
Indianapolis - 5-1 (won all 5)

DID YOU KNOW?: Back in 1996, the Jaguars lost to the Rams, 17-14, despite 36 first downs, the most first downs by a losing team since 1990 (22 teams have recorded 30+ first downs and lost since ‘90, the last being Arizona who lost to the Jets in September, 2008 despite moving the chains 33 times).

DID YOU KNOW II?: In 2002, Houston pounded Pittsburgh, 24-6, despite getting only 3 first downs all day (big thanks to 5 Steeler turnovers). That’s the fewest first downs by a winning team since ‘90. 44 teams since then have won with fewer than 10 first downs. The most recent was just last week when the Bills managed just 9 first downs in their win over Carolina.

* - If you narrow it to RUSHING first downs, the team with the most has won 71.6% of games since 1990 and 68.8% this season. The Patriots have “won” in rushing first downs in 6 of 7 games this season.

* - The team with the most total yards has won 68.5% of the time since 1990 and is 72-30 (70.6%) this season. The Colts have won the last 6 times that they have had FEWER total yards than their opponent dating back to last season. They’re still not close to the longest win streak (since 1990) as the ‘03-’04 Patriots won 10 straight games in which they had fewer yards than their opponent:

10 - New England Patriots (2003-04)
7 - New Orleans Saints (1990-91)
6 - Indianapolis Colts (2008-current)
6 - Denver Broncos (1991-92)

DID YOU KNOW?: 32 teams have rolled up 500+ yards of total offense but still lost since 1990, including 598 yards by the 49ers in a 34-31 loss to Buffalo in ‘92. The last two teams to lose such a contest were Denver (a 30-23 loss to the Bills despite 538 yards last December) and New England, who lost to the Jets, 34-31 in OT, wasting 511 yards of offense.

* - Since 1990, teams that commit 1 more turnover than their opponent have won 32.0% of the time (9-27, 25% this year). If they commit 2+ more turnovers, they win just 13.0% of the time (12.8% this season). Since 2000, St. Louis has won an NFL-high 11 times (against 39 losses) despite committing 2+ more turnovers than their opponent. No other team has more than 8 such wins (Denver, Green Bay). Detroit (0-40) and New Orleans (0-37) have none. The Patriots are 4-22 in those games since 2000.

* - When Baltimore has been handed 2+ more turnovers than they commit, they’ve won 50 straight times, dating back to their last loss in September, 1998. The Pats have won their last 28 such games, dating back to 2002.

* - One other note: The Kansas City Chiefs beat Washington two weeks ago and Washington committed 2 turnovers to none by the Chiefs. Sounds reasonable, right? Nope. Prior to that win, the Chiefs has LOST the last 5 times that their opponent committed 2+ turnovers MORE than Kansas City did. Only two other teams since 1990 have had such a losing streak even reach 4 games: The 1991 Colts and the ‘08-’09 Rams (a currently active streak). That’s like stipulating that if I roll a die, I will only lose if it comes up 6… and then a 6 comes up 5 straight times! Somebody’s not living right.

* - Leaderboard time! Here are the 2009 leaders in “reception percentage” (receptions/targets).  Keep in mind this stat measures the receiver AND his QB (min. 30 targets AND at least 7.0 average yards AT catch):

76.5% - Jeremy Shockey, New Orleans (34 targets; 26 receptions)
76.4% - Hines Ward, Pittsburgh (55 / 42)
75.0% - Steve Breaston, Arizona (32 / 24)

The lowest percentage belongs to the Chargers’ Chris Chambers (26.7%; 30 targets; 8 receptions).

* - On 3rd down, which receiver has converted the highest percentage of targets into first downs this season (min. 10 such targets)?

81.8% - Sidney Rice, Minnesota (11 targets / 9 first downs)
72.7% - Brandon Marshall, Denver (11 / 8 )
63.2% - Santonio Holmes, Pittsburgh (19 / 12)

The lowest percentage belongs to Cleveland’s Josh Cribbs, who has been targeted on 3rd down 12 times, has 7 catches, but zero first downs. Only one player since 2000 has had more such targets in a season without ever getting a first down: Cincinnati’s Darnay Scott in 2002 (14 targets; 6 receptions; 0 first downs).

* - We are nearing the halfway point in the season now and there have only been 3 blocked punts in the NFL this year. They’ve got some work to do to match the totals from 2006 (12), 2007 (12), and 2008 (13).

* - Since 2000, here are the active FG kickers with the highest career success percentages on tries outside of 40 yards (min. 40 tries):

74.2% - Rob Bironas (46/62)
73.8% - Shayne Graham (59/80)
72.0% - Jason Hanson (85/118)

The lowest percentages:

62.3% - Sabastian Janikowski (81/130)
63.0% - Rian Lindell (68/108)

We’ll get back to the Patriots next week. Enjoy your weekend!

Here are a few nuggets from the Celtics-Bobcats boxscore Wednesday night:

* - Ray Allen missed a free throw at home last night, just his 6th home miss since the start of last season and just his 3rd since the calendar turned to 2009 (including playoffs). He is 83 for 86 (96.5%) at home during this calendar year.

* - Charlotte shot just 31.1% from the floor. Last season, the Celtics held only two teams to a lower FG percentage and last night was just the 20th time since ‘88 that they have held their opponent under 32%. Boston is 19-1 in those games.

* - The Bobcats were 0-10 from three-point range, the 4th time since ‘86 that Boston’s opponent has gone 0 for 10+ from the bonusphere. The worst was an 0-16 showing by the Wizards against the Celtics on 11/2/07. That was the biggest o-fer in the NBA since ‘86.

* - Paul Pierce went 3-5 on three pointers last night, his 148th career game in which he has made 3+ threes AND shot 50% or better from behind the arc, 6th most since he entered the NBA in ‘99:

216 - Ray Allen
181 - Peja Stojakovic
161 - Jason Terry
160 - Chauncey Billups
157 - Rashard Lewis
148 - Paul Pierce

* - Charlotte managed just 52% from the FT line last night (good Lord, they were DREADFUL). It was the 10th time this decade that a Celtics opponent has fared that poorly from the stripe. Two of those ten were the Bobcats.

I’ll have a LOT more on the Celtics as the season wears on, so keep checking back!

As we get ready for the Celtics’ opener, here are some telling stats to chew on:

* - Boston shot 41.3% on three-point attempts at home last season, the highest percentage by a Celtics team since they have tracked the stat beginning in 1979:

41.3% - Boston Celtics (2008-09)

40.2% - Boston Celtics (1986-87)

40.1% - Boston Celtics (1987-88)

It was the 11th best home 3-pt. percentage by any NBA team since 1979.  The 1996-97 Charlotte Hornets are ranked number one (45.0%).

* - One big reason for the Celtics success on three-pointers at home last season was Eddie House, who set a new NBA standard for home three-point percentage at 50.3% (min. 150 home 3-pt. attempts):

50.3% - Eddie House, Boston (2008-09)

49.3% - Glen Rice, Charlotte (1996-97)

48.9% - Dana Barros, Philadelphia (1994-95)

48.1% - Hersey Hawkins, Charlotte (1994-95)

House managed just to shoot just 38.7% from the bonusphere on the road.  It was his 3rd season with 100+ road three-point attempts and he has shot under 40% in each one.

* - Last year’s Celtics apparently did not make it a priority to get to the foul line early in games.  In the first three minutes of games, the Celtics made just 32 free throws, the fewest such FT made by a Celtic squad since they started tracking the stat in 2002:

32 - Boston Celtics (2008-09)

44 - Boston Celtics (2003-04)

47 - Boston Celtics (2006-07)

Only Atlanta and San Antonio (29 each) made fewer last season.  Toronto led the league with 68 such free throws made, followed by Orlando (64).

* - Ray Allen shot just 33.8% on three-point tries last season in the second of back-to-back games (i.e. with zero days rest), compared to 42.4% in all other games.  That’s a difference of -8.6% on zero days rest, the 3rd biggest negative difference in three-point percentage last season (min. 60 three-point tries with zero days rest):

-11.9% - Troy Murphy, IND

-10.8% - Chauncey Billups, DET/DEN

- 8.6% - Ray Allen, BOS

- 7.9% - Leandro Barbosa, PHO

The biggest POSITIVE differences:

+13.3% - Antawn Jamison, WAS

+11.5% - Nate Robinson, NY

+10.6% - Steve Novak, LAC

Other Celtics’ 3-Point % Difference On Zero Days Rest (min. 25 such 3-pt tries):

+ 8.5% - Paul Pierce

- 5.3% - Eddie House

* - Allen’s 95.2% FT percentage last season was the highest in NBA history (since 1970) among players with 240 or more attempts:

95.2% - Ray Allen, Boston (2008-09)

94.8% - Mark Price, Cleveland (1992-93)

94.7% - Mark Price, Cleveland (1991-92)

Allen missed just 4 free throws at home all season, making 101 out of 105 (96.2%), the 3rd best home FT percentage in the NBA since 1970 (min. 100 home FT attempts):

97.5% - Mark Price, Cleveland (1992-93)

96.3% - Larry Bird, Boston (1989-90)

96.2% - Ray Allen, Boston (2008-09)

One more note on Ray Allen’s FT shooting prowess: Allen holds the highest career FT percentage since 1970 among all NBA players with 3000 or more attempts:

89.3% - Ray Allen

89.2% - Calvin Murphy

88.9% - Chauncey Billups

88.8% - Reggie Miller

88.7% - Larry Bird

* - Over 10% of the Celtics total points came as “2nd Chance Points” in 61 of their 82 games last season.  But here’s the thing… The Celts went just 40-21 in those games and went 20-1 when less than 10% of their points came after offensive rebounds.  Their winning percentage (95.2%) in those “less than 10%” games was the best in the NBA:

95.2% - Boston Celtics (20-1)

81.8% - Cleveland Cavaliers (18-4)

75.0% - Los Angeles Lakers (15-5)

* - Here are Boston’s W-L records based on fastbreak points scored:

7-0 when scoring 0 to 5 fast break points (1.000)

14-16 when scoring 6 to 10 fast break points (.467)

39-6 when scoring 11+ fast break points (.867)

* - There were 41 games last season in which each team made 10 or more threes.  The Celtics were 3-0 in those games.  The Knicks played in the most such games (9) and went 1-8 in them.

* - There were 26 non-OT games last season in which each team scored 20 or more fast break points.  Boston won their only such contest. The Warriors played in 10 of the 26 games, going 4-6, while Dallas (4-3) played in 7 and Phoenix (2-4) played in 6.

New England travels across the pond to tangle with their second straight winless opponent in week 7.  Here’s your Nuggetpalooza-style preview!

* - The Patriots intercepted 2 passes last week against Tennessee, the first time since last November 9 that they have picked off multiple passes in a game, breaking a streak of 12 straight games with zero or one picks.

* - Last week’s 59-0 thrashing of Tennessee marked just the 2nd time since 1990 (at least) that the Patriots have played a team with a record of 0-5 or worse. The other was an 0-6 Dolphins team that New England trounced, 49-28, in 2007. This week, Tampa Bay becomes the 3rd such opponent for the Pats since 1990.

DID YOU KNOW?: Teams that have entered a game with a record of 0-6 have gone 3-19 since 2000 and have been outscored by an average of 28-17 in those games. Cautionary note to Pats fans: All three of those wins have come at home for those teams (3-8).  Tampa Bay is listed as “home” on Sunday.  Just sayin’.

* - The Patriots now have 9 shutouts since 1990 and they are 6-0 in their next game following those shutouts (two of the shutouts came in the final week of the season):

12/26/93 - Won 38-0 vs Colts then won 33-27 vs Dolphins
9/15/96 - Won 31-0 vs Cardinals then won 28-25 vs Jaguars
11/16/03 - Won 12-0 vs Cowboys then won 23-20 at Texans
12/07/03 - Won 12-0 vs Dolphins then won 27-13 vs Jaguars
12/27/03 - Won 31-0 vs Bills in the last game of the season
12/17/05 - Won 28-0 vs Bucs then won 31-21 at Jets
11/19/06 - Won 35-0 at Packers then won 17-13 vs Bears
12/28/08 - Won 13-0 at Bills in the last game of the season
10/18/09 - Won 59-0 vs Titans then ????????

* - Last week marked just the 3rd time since 1990 that the Patriots have scored 45+ points at home. They’ve scored 45 of more points on the road 7 times in that same span.

* - New England has not allowed 3 (or more) punt returns in a game since 12/10/06 at Miami, a streak of 41 consecutive games, the longest such streak by any team in that span:

41 - New England Patriots
31 - Houston Texans
15 - Buffalo Bills
11 - Green Bay Packers

Here are the longest CURRENT streaks:

41 - New England Patriots
9 - New York Jets
5 - Denver Broncos

Overall in the NFL, teams record 3+ punt returns in 39% of all games.

* - On a related note, the Bucs have 13 punt returns and only 2 fair catches this season, the 3rd lowest fair catch rate in the NFL. Considering their disdain for fair catches, will they return 3+ punts and break the streak? Will the Pats punt 3+ times?

* - The Patriots have 65 pass completions on 1st down this season, the most in the NFL. The last time that they led the league in 1st down pass completions was back in 1996, when they had 157 such completions and went 11-5.

DID YOU KNOW?: The Steelers have allowed just 4.24 yards per pass attempt in the 1st quarter so far this season. The lowest full season mark on such passes since they began tracking the stat (1991) is 4.21 by the 49ers in 1995.

* - Over the last three weeks, the Patriots have not allowed a rushing TD (one of four such teams), but they have allowed a 5.28 average per carry, which ranks 30th during that span.

* - Missed this from Denver: The Patriots loss to Denver in week 5 snapped a 57 game win streak in games where New England forced more turnovers (2) than they committed (1). That streak was the longest in the NFL since at least 1990.

DID YOU KNOW?: Dallas’ receivers lead the NFL at 8.2 average yards gained after each reception. They are well ahead of the all-time leaders (since 1992):

6.7 - Atlanta Falcons (1998)
6.6 - Philadelphia Eagles (2006)
6.6 - Cleveland Browns (1994)

* - Tampa Bay has lost the last 5 times in which they’ve scored 20+ points. That streak is one shy of tying the 2nd longest such streak in the NFL since 1990. The longest such streak is 11 straight by the Detroit Lions (and this streak is still active). By contrast, the Patriots have won 33 of their last 34 games when they score 20 or more points.

* - The Bucs have lost the last 4 times that they’ve scored 21 or more points AT HOME (yeah, I know… London). The only other team to manage that since 1998 are the KC Chiefs who have lost their last 4 such games (active streak). New England is 41-3 since 2001 at home when they record 21+ points.

* - Tampa Bay has allowed 93 second half points this season, tied with the Rams for the most in the NFL. The Patriots have allowed just 47 second half tallies.

* - The Patriots have thrown 102 passes on 1st down this season and have been sacked just once. That 1st down sack percentage of 1.0% would go down as the 2nd best in the NFL since 1991:

0.0% - Chicago Bears (2001; never sacked on 1st down in 169 attempts)
1.0% - New England Patriots (2009)
1.1% - New Orleans Saints (2008)

DID YOU KNOW?: The Packers have already been sacked 12 times on 1st down this season. That’s 15.2% of their 1st down pass plays, well ahead of the record:

13.4% - Houston Texans (2005)
13.0% - Cleveland Browns (2001)
11.6% - Chicago Bears (2006)

* - Tampa Bay has allowed 56 points this season (over 9 per game) on “quick strike” drives where a score occurs in fewer than 4 plays. That’s 20 more than they allowed during all of last year and they are on a pace for 149 such points this season. Here are the yearly “leaders” in “quick strike” points allowed:

2008 - Oakland Raiders (85)
2007 - Baltimore Ravens (89)
2006 - Green Bay Packers (69)
2005 - St. Louis Rams (73)

The Patriots have allowed just 7 such points over the season’s first six weeks.

* - New England remains the only NFL team that has not allowed any points in the final two minutes of any half this season.  Their streak now stands at 16 consecutive halves without allowing such a score since week 15 last season when Oakland scored a touchdown with 1:53 remaining in the 4th quarter.

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AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL - 2009 Stats
Week 7 vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS OFFENSE - 207 Att / 54% Completions / 5.43 YA / 7 TD / 8 INT

Left: 44% of tries / 53% / 6.10 / 2 / 2
Middle: 14% of tries / 43% / 4.50 / 2 / 1
Right: 42% of tries / 59% / 5.02 / 3 / 5

Behind Line: 21% of tries / 65% / 3.37 / 0 / 0
1 to 10 Yds: 48% of tries / 60% / 4.35 / 6 / 4
11 to 20 Yds: 21% of tries / 41% / 7.57 / 0 / 3
21 to 30 Yds: 3 for 13 / 23% / 6.38 / 0 / 1
31 to 40 Yds: 2 for 5 / 40% / 16.25 / 1 / 0
41+ Yards: 1 for 2 / 50% / 23.50 / 0 / 0

NOTES: Tampa Bay’s passing attack is ranks 28th in completion percentage (54%), 30th in yards per attempt (5.43), and 31st in first down percentage (26%)… They rank last in completion percentage on passes over the middle (43%) but have tried 30 of those passes, 4th most in the NFL… While averaging just 4.35 yards per attempt on passes thrown between 1 and 10 yards (ranked last), they have 6 TD’s on those throws (2nd) and 4 INT’s (the most in the league).

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS DEFENSE - 184 Att / 60% Completions / 6.31 YA / 7 TD / 4 INT

Left: 43% of tries / 63% / 5.95 / 3 / 2
Middle: 7% of tries / 52% / 6.62 / 1 / 0
Right: 50% of tries / 63% / 6.58 / 3 / 2

Behind Line: 18% of tries / 67% / 4.39 / 1 / 0
1 to 10 Yds: 54% of tries / 63% / 5.68 / 5 / 2
11 to 20 Yds: 21% of tries / 59% / 9.87 / 1 / 0
21 to 30 Yds: 3 for 8 / 38% / 8.63 / 0 / 1
31 to 40 Yds: 0 for 3 / 0% / 0.00 / 0 / 0
41+ Yards: 0 for 2 / 0% / 0.00 / 0 / 1

NOTES: The New England pass defense is now ranked 9th in yards allowed per attempt (6.31) and 4th in fewest pass plays of 25+ yards allowed (5)… Opponents have attempted just 13 passes over the middle, the fewest in the NFL… Allowed just 63% completions on passes thrown from 1 to 10 yards, the 7th lowest percentage in the league.
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NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS OFFENSE - 252 Att / 65% Completions / 7.05 YA / 12 TD / 2 INT

Left: 40% of tries / 64% / 7.07 / 4 / 1
Middle: 17% of tries / 70% / 8.30 / 2 / 0
Right: 43% of tries / 65% / 6.53 / 6 / 1

Behind Line: 16% of tries / 76% / 6.29 / 1 / 1
1 to 10 Yds: 56% of tries / 74% / 6.06 / 4 / 0
11 to 20 Yds: 19% of tries / 53% / 10.15 / 4 / 0
21 to 30 Yds: 3 for 12 / 25% / 8.17 / 2 / 1
31 to 40 Yds: 2 for 7 / 29% / 12.57 / 1 / 0
41+ Yards: 0 for 4 / 0% / 0.00 / 0 / 0

NOTES: Still leading NFL in attempts (252) and has climbed to 15th in YPA (7.05)… Interception percentage (0.8%) now ranks 2nd… The Pats also have the most attempts over the middle (43) and the most first downs on passes thrown over the middle (19)… New England has struggled some on mid-range passes, completing just 53% of passes thrown from 11 to 20 yards, ranked 18th.

TENNESSEE TITANS DEFENSE - 148 Att / 61% Completions / 8.47 YA / 13 TD / 6 INT

Left: 32% of tries / 63% / 9.29 / 4 / 0
Middle: 14% of tries / 52% / 5.81 / 1 / 1
Right: 56% of tries / 63% / 8.68 / 8 / 5

Behind Line: 21% of tries / 74% / 3.35 / 0 / 0
1 to 10 Yds: 45% of tries / 67% / 6.21 / 3 / 3
11 to 20 Yds: 22% of tries / 56% / 13.59 / 4 / 0
21 to 30 Yds: 1 for 7 / 14% / 11.43 / 1 / 3
31 to 40 Yds: 2 for 6 / 33% / 12.00 / 2 / 0
41+ Yards: 3 for 6 / 50% / 25.50 / 3 / 0

NOTES: Opponents have completed 5 passes thrown 31+ yards this season against Tampa Bay and all 5 have gone for touchdowns… The 148 pass attempts against the Bucs is the 3rd fewest in the NFL but the total yards per attempt allowed (8.47) is the highest in the league as is their TD percentage allowed (8.8%).

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GROUND TRANSPORTATION - Rushing Analysis

Week 7 - NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS vs TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS RUSHING OFFENSE - 137 Att / 4.36 Avg / 3 TD / 24% First Downs / 13% Stuffs

1st Down - 65 / 4.18 / 2 TD / 17% FD / 12% Stuffs
2nd Down - 52 / 4.00 / 0 TD / 27% FD / 15% Stuffs
3rd Down - 18 / 6.56 / 1 TD / 44% FD / 6% Stuffs

2nd/3rd and Short (2 yds or less) - 11 / 4.36 / 1 TD / 64% FD / 9% Stuffs
2nd and Medium (3 to 7 yds) - 16 / 2.13 / 0 TD / 31% FD / 19% Stuffs
3rd and Medium (3 to 7 yds) - 6 / 2.83 / 0 TD / 17% FD / 17% Stuffs
2nd and Long (8+ yds) - 31 / 5.45 / 0 TD / 23% FD / 13% Stuffs
3rd and Long (8+ yds) - 6 / 9.67 / 0 TD / 33% FD / 0% Stuffs

Versus Blitz - 14 / 8.14 / 0 TD / 21% FD / 14% Stuffs
Versus 6+ Defenders on Line - 19 / 6.68 / 3 TD / 37% FD / 16% Stuffs

NOTES: Average on 2nd and Medium (2.13) ranks 30th and Bucs are one of only 3 teams without a run of 10+ yards on those rushes (none in 16 tries)… Averaging 7.2 yards on 3rd and Short (ranked 1st) and have picked up the first down on 5 of those 6 rushes.

NEW ENGLAND RUSHING DEFENSE - 145 Att / 4.67 Avg / 1 TD / 18% First Downs / 9% Stuffs

1st Down - 88 / 4.40 / 1 TD / 10% FD / 9% Stuffs
2nd Down - 43 / 5.26 / 0 TD / 28% FD / 9% Stuffs
3rd Down - 12 / 4.92 / 0 TD / 42% FD / 8% Stuffs

2nd/3rd and Short (2 yds or less) - 11 / 3.45 / 0 TD / 64% FD / 0% Stuffs
2nd and Medium (3 to 7 yds) - 17 / 3.71 / 0 TD / 18% FD / 12% Stuffs
3rd and Medium (3 to 7 yds) - 4 / 9.25 / 0 TD / 50% FD / 25% Stuffs
2nd and Long (8+ yds) - 19 / 6.89 / 0 TD / 21% FD / 11% Stuffs
3rd and Long (8+ yds) - 4 / 4.00 / 0 TD / 25% FD / 0% Stuffs

Versus Blitz - 10 / 2.40 / 0 TD / 0% FD / 20% Stuffs
Versus 6+ Defenders on Line - 39 / 3.28 / 0 TD / 18% FD / 8% Stuffs

NOTES: Still just 1 rushing TD allowed (tied for 2nd fewest in the league)… 5.26 average allowed on 2nd down is the 4th highest in the NFL and 6.89 average allowed on 2nd and Long is the 2nd highest… 61% of all opponent rushing attempts have come on 1st down, the 2nd highest percentage in the league.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS RUSHING OFFENSE - 169 Att / 4.13 Avg / 6 TD / 23% First Downs / 12% Stuffs

1st Down - 90 / 4.27 / 2 TD / 12% FD / 12% Stuffs
2nd Down - 54 / 4.80 / 4 TD / 30% FD / 9% Stuffs
3rd Down - 21 / 2.48 / 0 TD / 48% FD / 19% Stuffs

2nd/3rd and Short (2 yds or less) - 19 / 3.89 / 2 TD / 79% FD / 11% Stuffs
2nd and Medium (3 to 7 yds) - 27 / 4.96 / 2 TD / 30% FD / 15% Stuffs
3rd and Medium (3 to 7 yds) - 5 / 2.20 / 0 TD / 20% FD / 0% Stuffs
2nd and Long (8+ yds) - 21 / 4.38 / 0 TD / 10% FD / 5% Stuffs
3rd and Long (8+ yds) - 3 / 0.00 / 0 TD / 0% FD / 67% Stuffs

Versus Blitz - 9 / 4.78 / 0 TD / 22% FD / 11% Stuffs
Versus 6+ Defenders on Line - 8 / 4.38 / 0 TD / 38% FD / 13% Stuffs

NOTES: The Patriots did not attempt a run against the blitz or against 6+ line defenders last week… NE is now 8th in rushing attempts (169) and 9th in rushing TD (6), but just 18th in rushing average (4.13)… Patriots have run 6 times on 2nd and Short and have picked up the first down on all 6 (with 2 touchdowns).

TENNESSEE TITANS RUSHING DEFENSE - 212 Att / 4.86 Avg / 6 TD / 25% First Downs / 10% Stuffs

1st Down - 111 / 5.19 / 4 TD / 17% FD / 8% Stuffs
2nd Down - 73 / 3.59 / 1 TD / 21% FD / 12% Stuffs
3rd Down - 26 / 7.23 / 1 TD / 62% FD / 15% Stuffs

2nd/3rd and Short (2 yds or less) - 21 / 6.29 / 1 TD / 67% FD / 10% Stuffs
2nd and Medium (3 to 7 yds) - 31 / 4.55 / 1 TD / 26% FD / 10% Stuffs
3rd and Medium (3 to 7 yds) - 6 / 6.33 / 0 TD / 67% FD / 17% Stuffs
2nd and Long (8+ yds) - 33 / 2.79 / 0 TD / 6% FD / 18% Stuffs
3rd and Long (8+ yds) - 8 / 5.88 / 0 TD / 38% FD / 13% Stuffs

Versus Blitz - 10 / 3.90 / 0 TD / 20% FD / 10% Stuffs
Versus 6+ Defenders on Line - 12 / 3.92 / 1 TD / 33% FD / 0% Stuffs

NOTES: Opponents have run 212 times against the Bucs, the most in the NFL, and averaged 4.86 yards per carry (5th highest)… The Bucs are one of two NFL teams that have allowed 4 or more yards on over 50% of opponent rushing attempts (New Orleans is the other)… Allowed 29 runs of 10+ yards (3rd most)… On 1st downs, opponents have rushed for a 5.19 average (3rd highest), gained 19 first downs (most), and scored 4 TD (4th)… 6.29 average allowed on 2nd/3rd and Short is the highest in the NFL.

Tennessee is 0-5.

That’s hard to believe. I think it’s safe to say that the Titans are the best 0-5 team this season, maybe in many seasons.

Remember “The Chris Farley Show” on “Saturday Night Live”? Here’s how I imagine he would approach the subject: “You remember in Pittsburgh on opening night? When Tennessee took the Steelers to overtime on the road because they didn’t know yet that they were bad? Remember that? That was awesome!”

Keep that in mind before chalking this one up as an easy win.

One bit of housekeeping before jumping into the nuggets. As always, “Air Traffic Control” can be found at the end of the post. But this week, I’ve added another analysis, “Ground Transportation,” which breaks down each team’s rushing offense and defense. It is presented in a similar manner to Air Traffic Control. I hope you enjoy it.

* - Tennessee has allowed an average of 18.6 points in the first half of games this season, the most in the league:

18.6 - Titans
15.4 - Raiders
15.4 - Lions

The Patriots are allowing just 8.2 first half points, ranked 4th so far.

* - In the 4th quarter, the Titans offense has averaged just 2.2 points. Only the Rams (1.4) have been worse in the 4th quarter.

* - New England allowed 27 first downs in Denver last week, the most since the Pats allowed 28 at Indianapolis on Nov. 7, 2005. Tennessee has allowed 27 or more first downs three times since the start of the ‘07 season (including 30 against Jacksonville two weeks ago).

* - The Patriots still rank 3rd in the league in scoring efficiency, having put points up on 42 percent of their possessions this season. Last week, though, they managed points on just 3-of-11 tries.

* - The Patriots are one of just two teams (Atlanta is the other) that has yet to allow a point on an opponent’s drive that started on the New England side of the 50. Pats opponents have started in NE territory twice and have come up empty both times. The Titans have allowed opponents to start a drive in Tennessee territory an NFL-high 18 times (no one else has allowed more than 13) and have allowed 63 points on those drives.

* - The Patriots have not allowed any points during the final two minutes in any of the 10 halves that they’ve played this season. They are the only NFL team still pitching a 2009 shutout in those situations. Tennessee has allowed 21 points at the end of halves this year. The Cowboys have allowed a league high 38 points in those situations.

* - The Titans have allowed points on 25 different drives this season, tied with Detroit and Kansas City for the most in the NFL.

* - Tennessee ranks 31st in average starting field position this season with an average start at its 24. The Titans also rank 31st in opponent average starting position (37.1). This adds up to a “net field position difference” of minus 12.9 yards per possession, the worst in the NFL so far:

-12.9 - Titans
-12.6 - Lions
- 7.2 - Bills

The Pats’ “net field position difference” is a middle-of-the-pack +0.4 yards. Here are the leaders:

+12.3 - Falcons
+ 8.3 - Bears
+ 8.0 - Vikings

* - The teams have been fairly comparable at gaining 4-plus yards on rushing plays, with Tennessee gaining 4 or more yards 44 percent of the time and New England at 40 percent. However, the Pats have ALLOWED 4-plus yards on 51 percent of opponent carries (30th) while the Titans have allowed 4-plus just 33 percent of the time (3rd).

* - The Patriots are one of just three teams that have not allowed multiple rushing touchdowns this season:

0 - Vikings
1 - Patriots
1 - Steelers

* - New England reached the red zone twice last week and scored a touchdown both times. The Patriots now have 20 red zone possessions (2nd in the NFL) and have scored on all 20 (9 touchdowns). They are the only team in the league that has scored on every red zone possession this year. Last season, they scored on 58-of-65 red zone drives (89 percent).

* - Tennessee’s defense has allowed 5 touchdowns on drives that lasted fewer than 4 plays this season already. Only Detroit (6) and Tampa Bay (8) have allowed more. The Patriots have allowed just one such touchdown this season.

* - Patriots opponents have been in a “goal to go” situation just 4 times this season (the fewest in the NFL) while Tennessee’s offense has gotten into those situations just twice, the 2nd fewest (Buffalo, 1).

* - The Patriots have stopped receivers without any yards after the catch 34 times this season, the most such stops in the league:

34 - Patriots
29 - Colts
25 - Steelers

DID YOU KNOW? The Colts are the only NFL team that has not allowed a receiver to run more than 20 yards after a catch yet this season. The Chiefs have already allowed 7 such runs after a catch.

* - The Titans pass defense has allowed opponents to complete 11-of-19 (58 percent) passes thrown 21-plus yards downfield. The 11 completions and 406 yards allowed on those throws are NFL highs, as is the 120.1 QB rating on those passes. Should be an interesting contrast as the Patriots offense has just 2 such completions (out of 19 attempts) this season. You can see more details on those throws in “Air Traffic Control” below.

* - Last season, the Patriots allowed just 11 punt returns, an all-time NFL low during 16-game season. This season, they’re again leading the league, having allowed just 5 punt returns through 5 games.

* - The Patriots have allowed their opponents to convert the first down on second-and-6 or more to go 25 times (out of 75 tries) this season, a 33 percent success rate, the highest in the NFL. Denver went 7-for-17 (41 percent) against them last week.

* - Tennessee ranks 29th in the NFL in kickoff returns, averaging just 19.9 yards on 21 returns. The Titans join the Giants and Redskins as the only teams without a 30-plus-yard return all season. However, the Patriots have ALLOWED 30-plus yards on 7-of-19 returns (37 percent), the 2nd highest percentage in the league (Buffalo, 38 percent).

* - This isn’t the week to bet the ranch on a Patriots rusher breaking off a big gainer. The Pats and Cardinals are the only teams that have yet to record a running play of 20-plus yards. Also, Tennessee’s defense joins Minnesota and New Orleans as the only teams that have not ALLOWED a 20-yard run yet.

* - Over the past two weeks, the Patriots have allowed 20 plays of 10-plus yards on first down. Only the lowly Chiefs have allowed more (21).

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AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL - 2009 Stats
Week 6 vs Tennessee Titans

TENNESSEE TITANS PASS OFFENSE - 188 Att / 56% Completions / 5.73 YA / 5 TD / 7 INT

Left: 42% of tries / 65% / 7.10 / 4 / 2
Middle: 8% of tries / 53% / 7.00 / 0 / 1
Right: 50% of tries / 50% / 4.38 / 1 / 4

Behind Line: 15% of tries / 69% / 3.07 / 0 / 0
1 to 10 Yds: 53% of tries / 67% / 6.18 / 4 / 2
11 to 20 Yds: 23% of tries / 44% / 7.44 / 1 / 4
21 to 30 Yds: 0 for 13 / 0% / 0.00 / 0 / 0
31 to 40 Yds: 1 for 4 / 25% / 14.25 / 0 / 1
41+ Yards: 0 for 0 / 0% / 0.00 / 0 / 0

NOTES: Tennessee has the fourth-most total pass attempts (188) but ranks just 27th in completion percentage (56 percent) and the 3rd most interceptions (7). … The Titans’ 4.38 average yards per attempt to the right side is the 2nd lowest in the league. … Only 8 percent of Tennessee’s attempts have come on passes over the middle, the third-lowest percentage in the NFL. … 7.44 average yards per attempt thrown 11-20 yards is the lowest in the NFL, and the Titans’ 44 percent completion rate on those throws ranks 27th.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS PASS DEFENSE - 170 Att / 64% Completions / 6.87 YA / 7 TD / 2 INT

Left: 44% of tries / 65% / 6.35 / 3 / 1
Middle: 7% of tries / 75% / 7.17 / 1 / 0
Right: 49% of tries / 61% / 7.29 / 3 / 1

Behind Line: 18% of tries / 67% / 5.07 / 1 / 0
1 to 10 Yds: 56% of tries / 65% / 5.92 / 5 / 1
11 to 20 Yds: 21% of tries / 66% / 11.00 / 1 / 0
21 to 30 Yds: 3 for 6 / 50% / 11.50 / 0 / 0
31 to 40 Yds: 0 for 2 / 0% / 0.00 / 0 / 0
41+ Yards: 0 for 2 / 0% / 0.00 / 0 / 1

NOTES: 70 first downs allowed through the air ranks third-most in the league. … Just 12 opponent pass attempts over the middle is the second-fewest in the league (so don’t expect many of those when Tennessee has the ball). … 66 percent completion rate on opponent passes thrown 11-20 yards is the third-highest in the league.

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NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS PASS OFFENSE - 207 Att / 61% Completions / 6.49 YA / 6 TD / 2 INT

Left: 42% of tries / 59% / 6.00 / 2 / 1
Middle: 16% of tries / 62% / 7.94 / 1 / 0
Right: 42% of tries / 63% / 6.41 / 3 / 1

Behind Line: 14% of tries / 68% / 5.50 / 0 / 1
1 to 10 Yds: 58% of tries / 71% / 5.98 / 2 / 0
11 to 20 Yds: 19% of tries / 53% / 10.08 / 3 / 0
21 to 30 Yds: 2 for 11 / 18% / 6.36 / 1 / 1
31 to 40 Yds: 0 for 4 / 0% / 0.00 / 0 / 0
41+ Yards: 0 for 4 / 0% / 0.00 / 0 / 0

NOTES: Still leading NFL in attempts (207) but still just 21st in YPA (6.49). … The Pats also have the most attempts over the middle (34) and the most first downs on passes thrown over the middle (16). … They also lead the league in attempts (120), completions (85), and yards (717) on passes thrown from 1-10 yards, but their completion percentage (71 percent) and yards per attempt (5.98) on those throws ranks just 12th and 17th respectively.

TENNESSEE TITANS PASS DEFENSE - 193 Att / 72% Completions / 7.89 YA / 13 TD / 4 INT

Left: 41% of tries / 75% / 9.08 / 3 / 2
Middle: 15% of tries / 72% / 7.38 / 3 / 1
Right: 44% of tries / 68% / 6.96 / 7 / 1

Behind Line: 25% of tries / 82% / 5.08 / 0 / 0
1 to 10 Yds: 45% of tries / 77% / 5.80 / 6 / 1
11 to 20 Yds: 20% of tries / 53% / 9.55 / 3 / 2
21 to 30 Yds: 8 for 11 / 73% / 23.09 / 2 / 0
31 to 40 Yds: 2 for 5 / 40% / 21.20 / 2 / 0
41+ Yards: 1 for 3 / 33% / 15.33 / 0 / 1

NOTES: Pitiful. Where to start? Tennessee has allowed the second-most pass attempts (193), the most passing yards (1,523), the second-most passing touchdowns (13), and the second-highest completion percentage (72 percent) in the NFL so far. … Opponents have completed an NFL-high 21 passes over the middle and their 28 percent first-down percentage on those throws is the third-highest. … They’ve been torched on passes thrown behind the line of scrimmage, allowing league highs in completions (40) and yards (249) and the second-highest completion percentage (82 percent) on those throws.
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GROUND TRANSPORTATION - RUSHING ANALYSIS

Week 6 - NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS vs TENNESSEE TITANS

TENNESSEE TITANS RUSHING OFFENSE - 120 Att / 5.32 Avg / 4 TD / 20% First Downs / 14% Stuffs

1st Down - 66 / 4.02 / 0 TD / 12% FD / 18% Stuffs
2nd Down - 38 / 4.74 / 1 TD / 21% FD / 3% Stuffs
3rd Down - 15 /12.20 / 2 TD / 47% FD / 27% Stuffs

2nd/3rd and Short (2 yds or less) - 8 / 6.38 / 0 TD / 63% FD / 0% Stuffs
2nd and Medium (3 to 7 yds) - 14 / 5.64 / 1 TD / 36% FD / 7% Stuffs
3rd and Medium (3 to 7 yds) - 5 / 1.60 / 0 TD / 40% FD / 40% Stuffs
2nd and Long (8+ yds) - 20 / 3.45 / 0 TD / 5% FD / 0% Stuffs
3rd and Long (8+ yds) - 6 /26.00 / 2 TD / 33% FD / 33% Stuffs

Versus Blitz - 13 /11.38 / 1 TD / 23% FD / 8% Stuffs
Versus 6+ Defenders on Line - 9 / 3.11 / 0 TD / 22% FD / 11% Stuffs

NOTES: Tennessee’s overall rushing average (5.32) ranks second in the league, and 15 percent of the Titans’ rushes have gone for 10-plus yards (3rd). … Their 183 yards on third downs leads the NFL as does their average on third down (12.20) and their average against blitzes (11.38).

NEW ENGLAND RUSHING DEFENSE - 109 Att / 4.44 Avg / 1 TD / 18% First Downs / 9% Stuffs

1st Down - 69 / 4.65 / 1 TD / 12% FD / 9% Stuffs
2nd Down - 31 / 4.65 / 0 TD / 29% FD / 10% Stuffs
3rd Down - 8 / 2.38 / 0 TD / 38% FD / 13% Stuffs

2nd/3rd and Short (2 yds or less) - 9 / 3.44 / 0 TD / 56% FD / 0% Stuffs
2nd and Medium (3 to 7 yds) - 13 / 4.31 / 0 TD / 23% FD / 15% Stuffs
3rd and Medium (3 to 7 yds) - 2 / 0.50 / 0 TD / 50% FD / 50% Stuffs
2nd and Long (8+ yds) - 12 / 4.92 / 0 TD / 17% FD / 8% Stuffs
3rd and Long (8+ yds) - 3 / 5.33 / 0 TD / 33% FD / 0% Stuffs

Versus Blitz - 8 / 2.88 / 0 TD / 0% FD / 25% Stuffs
Versus 6+ Defenders on Line - 37 / 3.27 / 0 TD / 14% FD / 8% Stuffs

NOTES: Just 1 rushing TD allowed is tied for the third-fewest in the league so far. … 66 percent of opponents total rushing yards have come on first down, the highest percentage in the NFL. … 19 rushing yards allowed on 3rd down ranks seventh. … Just 31 attempts on second down is the third-fewest allowed.

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NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS RUSHING OFFENSE - 139 Att / 3.63 Avg / 4 TD / 22% First Downs / 13% Stuffs

1st Down - 74 / 3.99 / 2 TD / 14% FD / 15% Stuffs
2nd Down - 43 / 3.65 / 2 TD / 21% FD / 9% Stuffs
3rd Down - 19 / 2.58 / 0 TD / 47% FD / 16% Stuffs

2nd/3rd and Short (2 yds or less) - 16 / 3.81 / 1 TD / 75% FD / 13% Stuffs
2nd and Medium (3 to 7 yds) - 22 / 3.18 / 1 TD / 23% FD / 14% Stuffs
3rd and Medium (3 to 7 yds) - 5 / 2.20 / 0 TD / 20% FD / 0% Stuffs
2nd and Long (8+ yds) - 17 / 3.65 / 0 TD / 0% FD / 6% Stuffs
3rd and Long (8+ yds) - 2 / 1.00 / 0 TD / 0% FD / 50% Stuffs

Versus Blitz - 9 / 4.78 / 0 TD / 22% FD / 11% Stuffs
Versus 6+ Defenders on Line - 8 / 4.38 / 0 TD / 38% FD / 13% Stuffs

NOTES: New England’s overall rushing average (3.63) ranks just 25th in the league. … While the Pats’ 9 first downs gained on third down ranks fourth, their average on third down rushes (2.58) ranks 23rd. … The Pats have gained a first down on third-and-short (2 yards or less) 67 percent of the time, which ranks 16th (Miami is has gotten the first down on all 15 tries on third-and-2 or less).

TENNESSEE TITANS RUSHING DEFENSE - 136 Att / 2.77 Avg / 3 TD / 16% First Downs / 20% Stuffs

1st Down - 73 / 2.68 / 1 TD / 7% FD / 18% Stuffs
2nd Down - 42 / 3.00 / 1 TD / 21% FD / 21% Stuffs
3rd Down - 20 / 2.65 / 1 TD / 35% FD / 25% Stuffs

2nd/3rd and Short (2 yds or less) - 21 / 2.38 / 1 TD / 52% FD / 19% Stuffs
2nd and Medium (3 to 7 yds) - 9 /-0.89 / 0 TD / 0% FD / 44% Stuffs
3rd and Medium (3 to 7 yds) - 3 / 2.00 / 0 TD / 33% FD / 0% Stuffs
2nd and Long (8+ yds) - 20 / 4.45 / 0 TD / 10% FD / 15% Stuffs
3rd and Long (8+ yds) - 9 / 4.67 / 1 TD / 22% FD / 33% Stuffs

Versus Blitz - 9 / 4.78 / 1 TD / 44% FD / 11% Stuffs
Versus 6+ Defenders on Line - 10 / 1.00 / 0 TD / 10% FD / 10% Stuffs

NOTES: Overall rushing average allowed (2.77), stuffs (27), and stuff percentage (20 percent) all lead the NFL. … Opponents have tried 9 runs on second-and-medium (3-7 yards) and have lost 8 yards on those runs, the lowest average (-0.89) in the league. … Allowed just 2.68 yards per carry on first down (2nd) with 13 stuffs (also 2nd) and just 5 percent resulted in 10-plus yard gains (second-lowest percentage).

Boy it seems like there is a big game for the Patriots every week! In Week 5, they travel to undefeated Denver for a very interesting test. Sure, the Broncos haven’t played anybody, but they won. Here are the nuggets:

* - The Patriots have scored points on 46.3% of their possessions this season (19-41), the highest percentage in the NFL. The Broncos have allowed points on just 13.3% of opponent drives (6-45), the lowest percentage in the NFL. What’s more, the Pats offensive TD to FG ratio (0.73) ranks 30th while Denver’s defensive TD:FG ratio (0.50) ranks 1st.

* - Denver has held their opponents to an average of 4.03 yards per play, the lowest average in the NFL this season. The Pats have allowed 5.37 YPP, ranked 17th.

* - New England has completed just 2 of 16 passes thrown 21 or more yards in the air and Denver’s defense has allowed opponents to go 0 for 13 (with 4 inteceptions) on those throws.

* - The Patriots now lead the league in Red Zone plays (51) and have scored on all 18 trips inside the Red Zone (SF is the only other “perfect” team at just 8-8). But their 4.56 average points per Red Zone opportunity ranks just 17th. Denver has scored on 9 of 12 RZ drives (75%) and is averaging 3.92 points per opportunity (25th).

* - The rest of the story? Denver’s defense has allowed just three scores in seven opponent Red Zone drives this season, allowing an average of just 2.43 points per opportunity, the best mark in the league.

DID YOU KNOW?: The powerful Giants have been the NFL’s worst so far at taking advantage of Red Zone opportunities, scoring on just 71% (12 of 17) and averaging a league low 3.06 points per RZ drive.

DID YOU KNOW?: Another Red Zone note - Vikings opponents have run 18 plays in the Red Zone this season and have gained 13 yards. That 0.72 average per play not only leads the league but is less than half of 2nd place Chicago’s average allowed (1.46).

DID YOU KNOW?: One more - As bad as Oakland is, how much worse would things look if their opponents hadn’t failed to score on 6 of 17 RZ opportunities (35%)?

* - The Broncos’ pass rush has 11 sacks in the second half of their games this season, the most such sacks in the league. They have 4 in their 2009 first halves.

* - New England is the only team left that has yet to allow any points in the final two minutes of any half this season. The allowed 37 such points last season (9th in the NFL).

* - In the second half of games, Denver has averaged 10.53 yards per pass play, the highest average in the league. Compare that to their 4.60 average in the first half. Only three other teams are averaging above 8.00 on such plays (Indy, Dallas, San Diego). New England checks in at 6.26 yards per pass play in the second half.

* - The Pats still can’t punt. Their gross average (38.8) is last in the league and their net average (31.3) is 31st. Not completely unrelated is their poor ratio of punts buried inside the 20 (3) to touchbacks (3).

* - Denver has scored 7 times from outside the Red Zone this season, amassing 32 points, 41% of their total points scored. That’s the 3rd highest percentage in the league. Meanwhile, only 9% of NE points allowed (6) have come from outside the RZ (3rd lowest percentage).

* - The Patriots are tied for the league lead (tied with Brett Favre’s team) with 7 scores on drives in which they gained a first down by penalty. But Denver is the only team that has not allowed a score after giving up a first down via penalty.

* - New England entered last week ranked 11th in “Rushing Efficiency”, having gained 4 or more yards on 45% of their carries. But against Baltimore they managed 4+ yards on just 10 of 30 carries, dropping them to 18th this week. Denver is currently ranked 4th (50%) coming off a 15 for 25 (60%) effort against Dallas.

DID YOU KNOW?: 40.9% of Miami’s passing yards have come on pass plays that gained fewer than 10 yards. Far and away the highest percentage in the NFL. Seattle (31.0%) has the 2nd most. New England (28.8%) ranks 5th. The Bengals had the highest such percentage in 2008 at 35.0%.

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AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL - 2009 Stats
Week 5 vs Denver Broncos

DENVER BRONCOS OFFENSE - 117 Att / 59% Completions / 7.74 YA / 5 TD / 0 INT

Left: 39% of tries / 52% / 7.43 / 3 / 0
Middle: 12% of tries / 79% / 9.43 / 0 / 0
Right: 49% of tries / 60% / 7.58 / 2 / 0

Behind Line: 23% of tries / 74% / 5.96 / 0 / 0
1 to 10 Yds: 45% of tries / 64% / 6.17 / 3 / 0
11 to 20 Yds: 17% of tries / 45% / 9.20 / 1 / 0
21 to 30 Yds: 6 for 12 / 50% / 19.50 / 1 / 0
31 to 40 Yds: 0 for 3 / 0% / 0.00 / 0 / 0
41+ Yards: 0 for 2 / 0% / 0.00 / 0 / 0

NOTES: Only NFL team remaining that has not yet thrown an interception in 2009… 79% completions is 2nd best in the league but 52% to the left side ranks 29th… 6 completions on passes of 21-30 air yards is the most in the NFL and 19.50 YPA on those throws ranks 3rd.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS DEFENSE - 122 Att / 60% Completions / 6.87 YA / 5 TD / 1 INT

Left: 42% of tries / 63% / 6.43 / 2 / 1
Middle: 6% of tries / 86% / 9.00 / 1 / 0
Right: 52% of tries / 55% / 6.98 / 2 / 0

Behind Line: 21% of tries / 69% / 4.92 / 1 / 0
1 to 10 Yds: 52% of tries / 56% / 5.39 / 3 / 1
11 to 20 Yds: 21% of tries / 62% / 11.38 / 1 / 0
21 to 30 Yds: 3 for 3 /100% / 23.00 / 0 / 0
31 to 40 Yds: 0 for 2 / 0% / 0.00 / 0 / 0
41+ Yards: 0 for 1 / 0% / 0.00 / 0 / 0

NOTES: 0.8% interceptions ranks 30th… Opponents have attempted only 7 pass attempts over the middle, the fewest in the league… 10 first downs gained on passes caught behind the line of scrimmage is the 2nd most in the NFL… Allowed only 56% completions on passes thrown from 1 to 10 yards, the 2nd lowest percentage in the league.

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NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS OFFENSE - 174 Att / 62% Completions / 6.49 YA / 4 TD / 2 INT

Left: 41% of tries / 61% / 6.25 / 1 / 1
Middle: 15% of tries / 58% / 7.19 / 1 / 0
Right: 44% of tries / 64% / 6.47 / 2 / 1

Behind Line: 13% of tries / 64% / 3.95 / 0 / 1
1 to 10 Yds: 59% of tries / 71% / 6.04 / 0 / 0
11 to 20 Yds: 19% of tries / 58% / 10.61 / 3 / 0
21 to 30 Yds: 2 for 11 / 18% / 6.36 / 1 / 1
31 to 40 Yds: 0 for 2 / 0% / 0.00 / 0 / 0
41+ Yards: 0 for 3 / 0% / 0.00 / 0 / 0

NOTES: Still leading NFL in attempts (174) and now is 2nd in completions (108), but just 21st in YPA (6.49)… Also have most attempts thrown between 1 and 10 yards (103), completions (73), and yards (622)… However, they still have no TD despite all those attempts on 1 to 10 yard tosses… Gained first downs on just 23% of passes caught (or not) behind the line of scrimmage, the 2nd lowest percentage in the NFL.

DENVER BRONCOS DEFENSE - 127 Att / 60% Completions / 5.70 YA / 0 TD / 6 INT

Left: 33% of tries / 64% / 6.86 / 0 / 2
Middle: 10% of tries / 54% / 6.69 / 0 / 0
Right: 57% of tries / 58% / 4.85 / 0 / 4

Behind Line: 24% of tries / 71% / 3.87 / 0 / 0
1 to 10 Yds: 46% of tries / 71% / 5.69 / 3 / 3
11 to 20 Yds: 20% of tries / 52% / 10.96 / 0 / 2
21 to 30 Yds: 0 for 8 / 0% / 0.00 / 0 / 0
31 to 40 Yds: 0 for 3 / 0% / 0.00 / 1 / 1
41+ Yards: 0 for 2 / 0% / 0.00 / 0 / 0

NOTES: Only NFL team yet to allow a TD pass this season… 6 interceptions ranks 3rd and 5.70 YPA ranks 4th best in the league… Opponents are 0-13 on passes thrown 21+ yards this season.
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