Boston Sports Then and Now

On the surface, it is easy for any fan to see just how good or bad of a season their team has had. Whether it be wins and losses or total points put up, some stats tell the story, god or bad, of the year of their favorite team.

What most fans fail to sometimes realize, however, is all the stats that go into making an NFL team successful. Here are a bunch you would never even think to remotely consider about the 2012 season of the New England Patriots.

You name it. If it can be statistically tracked in the NFL, it’s probably in this post.

0 – The number of wins the team had when their leading rusher was under 40 yards for the game (0-2).

0 – The Patriots had no two-point conversions on the year. Just kind of odd.

0.5 – Brandon Bolden averaged half a yard more per carry than Stevan Ridley did.

1 – The number of franchises to score 500 points four different times. New England accomplished that this year after 500-point seasons in 2007, 2010 and 2011 as well.

1 – The New England offense ranked first in the NFL in total yards, yards per game, points and points per game in 2012.

1 – Of the four members of the team who finished the year as the starting secondary, only one (Devin McCourty) was on the team last year. Alfonzo Dennard, Aqib Talib, Steve Gregory were the other three.

1 – Vince Wilfork‘s four forced fumbles were tied for first in the NFL.

1 – The number of full games that tight ends Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski were both on the field for the whole contest – the season finale against the Dolphins.

1 – The number of NFL quarterbacks to throw at least one touchdown pass in all 16 regular season games for three straight seasons – Tom Brady in 2010-12.

2 – The number of teams to ever win 10-plus games in 10 consecutive seasons – the Patriots became the second to accomplish that this year.

2 – Their two-game losing streak in Weeks 2 and 3 was tied for their longest losing streak since they lost four straight in the 2002 season.

2 – This season was the second time they have gone undefeated against the AFC East, joining the 2007 team.

2 – The number of teams to ever record 400 first downs in a season – the 2012 Pats and the 2011 Saints.

2 – The number of points that Stephen Gostkowski needed to tie the all-time single-season Patriots scoring record set by Gino Cappelletti in 1964.

3 – Pass plays in the NFL this season longer than Shane Vereen‘s 83-yard reception in Week 12.

3 – It had been three years since the Patriots lost four or more games in a season (10-6 in 2009).

3 – The Pats have scored 500-plus points in three consecutive seasons.

The Patriots’ offense has been nearly unstoppable in the three years since drafting this duo.

4 – New England had four different players lead the team in receiving in their 16 games – Brandon Lloyd (3), Wes Welker (9), Gronkowski (3) and Vereen (1).

4 – It was Brady’s fourth career season of throwing 30 or more touchdown passes, good for a tie for the fourth-most all-time.

4 – Welker finished four receptions behind league-leader Calvin Johnson, who had 122 on the year.

4 – The Patriots have made the playoffs in each of the last four seasons.

4 – The team had four different players lead them in rushing in their 16 games – Ridley (13), Bolden (1), Julian Edelman (1) and Danny Woodhead (1).

5 – There have only been five Patriots running backs to rush for 1,200 yards in the team’s history. Ridley became the fifth this year.

5 – Wilfork was elected to the fifth Pro Bowl of his career and will start on the defensive line for the AFC.

5 – The team has held its opponents to 20 points or less in five of six games since Nov. 18 (5-1).

6 – In 16 games, the Patriots only lost six fumbles.

6 – The Pats finished six spots higher in total defense this year compared to last season when they finished 31st in the league.

6 – New England has been a top-10 offense in the NFL for six straight seasons.

7 – The amount of consecutive games that Brady needs to throw a touchdown pass in to break the all-time record of 54.

7 – New England’s longest winning streak of the year from Week 7 through Week 14.

7 – The number of points that Brady’s total QBR trailed Peyton Manning‘s for tops in the league.

7 – McCourty was one of seven NFL players to return a kickoff more than 100 yards on the year.

7 – The team sent seven members to the Pro Bowl in 2012.

New England’s seven Pro Bowlers in 2012 are the third-most in the league.

7 – Last year’s NFL leader in interceptions, Kyle Arrington, had seven fewer interceptions in 2012 than a year ago. He had seven in 2011.

8 – The number of years it had been since the team had a 1,200-yard rusher before this year. Corey Dillon rushed for 1,635 yards in 2004.

8 – Rob Ninkovich led the team with eight sacks on the year.

8 – The Pats had eight return TD’s on the season.

9 – The number of games in which the starting offensive line of Nate Solder, Sebastian Vollmer, Ryan Wendell, Dan Connolly and Logan Mankins were all on the field together.

9 – Brady now ranks ninth on the NFL’s all-time passing list with 44,806 yards. He needs 1,427 yards to pass Vinny Testaverde.

9 – Ridley finished the season as one of just nine non-kickers in the top-40 in the league in scoring.

9 – The team has a nine-game division win streak heading into next season.

10 – The number of consecutive 10-win seasons for the Patriots – the second longest such streak ever (16).

10 – The team scored 30-plus points 10 times in their 16 games in 2012 (8-2).

10 – The number of players who had a rushing attempt for the Pats in 2012 led by Ridley’s 290 carries.

10 – New England had 10 more sacks than it allowed in 2012.

11 – They also had 11 more interceptions than their opponents did.

11 – The combined number of points New England fell by in its four losses against the Cardinals (2), Ravens (1), Seahawks (1) and 49ers (7).

11 – The number of current and former Pro Bowl running backs that Ridley out-rushed in 2012.

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Seven Patriots were selected to represent the team in the 2013 Pro Bowl on Jan. 27.

It’s that time of year again. No, not Christmas. It’s time for the large contingency of New England football players to learn that they may be heading to Hawaii following championship weekend.

The 2012 AFC and NFC Pro Bowl rosters were announced Wednesday night and as usual, the Patriots will be heavily represented at Aloha Stadium. Seven hometown players were graced with the honor of representing their team in the game of the NFL‘s finest from the past season after the team had a dozen in the mix when voting got underway a few weeks ago.

Four players were voted by fans, players and coaches as starters at their respective positions and the other three will be alternates. Rob Gronkowski, Logan Mankins, Jerod Mayo and Vince Wilfork will all be starting for the AFC, while Tom Brady, Matthew Slater and Wes Welker will be alternates.

The seven players selected were the third-most among NFL teams with only the Texans (eight) and 49ers (nine) sending more to the game.

Gronkowski, in his third year in the league, was awarded the honor for the second straight season. In just his third season, the 6-foot-6-inch, 265-pound tight end has caught 53 balls for 748 yards and 10 touchdowns while playing in just 10 games so far because of a broken forearm. His huge presence has also helped the Patriots restore a prominent running game back into their offense. It was Gronk’s second career selection. Tony Gonzalez will start at tight end for the NFC.

Joining him on the starting offense will be guard Logan Mankins. Unlike Gronkowski, Mankins has now been voted to the Pro Bowl five times in his career. This season, he has really provided the injury-plagued offensive line with a veteran presence during a season that has seen almost as many starting combinations as points they helped to put up. With the losses of Brian Waters and Dan Koppen, Mankins has stepped up even more while playing in just nine games this season, but has still been instrumental in providing the up-and-coming running backs holes with which to work. He will be joined on the AFC’s starting line by Joe Thomas of the Browns, Duane Brown of the Texans, Marshal Yanda of the Ravens and Maurkice Pouncey of the Steelers.

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It’s been a while since we’ve seen this as Tom Brady, surprisingly, hasn’t raised the Lombardi Trophy in eight years, but his chances this February look good.

Before Monday night’s demolition of the league’s best team, the Houston Texans, the Patriots were thought to be in pretty good position in their pursuit for their fourth Super Bowl Title. Since their 42-14 win, however, the Pats have gone from Super Bowl contenders to Super Bowl favorites with oddsmakers placing them at 3-1 to win Super Bowl XLVII.

If they can destroy the then 11-1 Texans by 28 points, then the feeling is that they should be able to beat anybody in any round of the playoffs. After all, the team’s three losses this season have been by a total of four points if we remember and two out of three came against playoff caliber teams in the Ravens and the Seahawks.

The 11 other teams currently in position to make the playoffs are averaging 25.4 points per game this year. The Patriots are averaging 36.3 points per game this season – 7.5 points per game more than the second-highest scoring team, the Broncos. In fact, their offense is on pace to perhaps break the record for the most points scored in a season, which is held by the 2007 team (589) as they have scored 472 points through 13 games.

Those 11 teams are also allowing an average of 19.6 points per game, something else that New England would seem to not have a problem dealing with. They have scored less than 19 points only once this season (18 in Week 2).

The Patriots’ last six games have resulted in these point totals: 45, 37, 59, 49, 23, 42. Would anybody really be able to slow them down enough at a time in his career when Tom Brady is playing on a whole other level?

Though they have three losses, many of their wins have come against playoff teams, including big ones against Houston and the Colts, as well as a 10-point victory over the Broncos. Their schedule was not as tough last year when they went 14-2 and won the AFC Championship.

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Logan Mankins will be out once again this Sunday for the Patriots.

This Sunday the Patriots have a chance to clinch the division they have seemingly dominated since Bill Belichick took over as head coach, the AFC East.  With a with in Miami the Patriots will clinch the division and try to move closer to pushing for a first round bye.  The Patriots must beat the Texans to even have a chance for the bye and have some help from teams playing the Ravens but, lets not get ahead of ourselves.

After the smack down on Thanksgiving night the Patriots got nine days off to prepare for the Dolphins. With extra time to prepare the Patriots always seem to have an advantage.  Now the Dolphins always seem to get up for games against the Patriots and they are not in the state of flux that the Jets are.  This game might not be as easy as some think.  Miami does have some explosiveness on offense and defense than can hold their own.  They have beaten Cincinnati and last week had a nice victory over the Seattle Seahawks, who beat the Patriots in Seattle.

First year coach Joe Philbin will have this team ready to play and rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill will be ready to face a Patriots defense that has improved the last two weeks but now they need to kick it into gear.  Take a look at my three keys to victory this Sunday in South Beach:

1) Protect Brady: This may seem like an obvious statement as they need to do this on a weekly basis, but the offensive line has suffered through their share of injuries this season.  Logan Mankins has been ruled out again this Sunday and that has the Dolphins defensive line licking their chops.  Cameron Wake can get after it and hits hard.  Dan Connolly and Sebastian Vollmer also did not practice which could spell a problem for the Patriots.  Look for the Patriots to use a lot of quick passes and draw plays to try and open up the field.

2) Keep Blitzing: The Patriots have been blitzing a lot more since the game against the Rams.  If they get after the quarterback good things will happen.  The game against the Colts they had two interceptions for touchdowns.  Pressure on the quarterback will help disguise defensive weakness.  The team did not blitz as often early in the season when they were susceptible to deep passing plays which many teams took advantage of including the Jets when the Patriots made Sanchez look like he was still as USC.  Brandon Spikes hitting somebody seems to pump up the defense and the move of Devin McCourty to safety seems like the right one.  Blitz, and good things will happen.

3) Score Early and Often: In a perfect world the Patriots will score on their opening drive and continue to get great defensive stops.  Every team in football is good for a good run.  Leaving a team in the game is not what the Patriots need as seen in the loses this season especially to Seattle and Arizona.  The Patriots cannot leave points on the board.  Kick the field goal if the game is close.  Risky play calling is not what this team needs. Let the players make plays and take the points.

The game against the Jets was the perfect example of keeping your foot on the other teams neck.  This Sunday if the Patriots score early look for them to continue to try and put the pressure on the Dolphins to make mistakes.  Teams down early and down big early will make poor decisions to try and come back and are even more likely to, with a rookie quarterback.

I believe the Patriots will wrap up the division this week with a win against Miami but it will be close for most of the game.  Reggie Bush will pull off an explosive play against the Patriots defense and they will buckle down and make a big stop.

Prediction: Patriots 38 Dolphins 27

Tom Brady, one of three Players of the Game, bites into a turducken drumstick after the Patriots’ 49-19 Thanksgiving Night win.

After a long day of turkey, stuffing and everything in between, the best part of the day finally arrived. The injury-battered Patriots and fast-fading Jets faced off for the second time this year on Thanksgiving Night in the Meadowlands as the Jets tried to salvage their season with a win over their archrivals.  The game was nothing short of bizarre with a scoreless 1^st quarter followed by a 38-point 2^nd quarter as well as the first 35-5 score in NFL history. When all was said and done, the Patriots won their fifth straight by a score of 49-19.

Rex Ryan, fresh off of eating three or four Thanksgiving dinners, led the 4-6 Jets into the Thanksgiving Night game against their most bitter division rivals. The short week proved killer for New York as the Patriots torched the Jets for 49 points including their first 35 in the 2^nd quarter. The win improved New England’s record to 19-0 in the second half of the past three seasons.

It was an ugly start to the game as the teams traded punts and then a low throw from Tom Brady, who was looking for Wes Welker, brought up a 4^th down for the Pats. Stephen Gostkowski was summoned and promptly missed his second field goal in the last two weeks and the score remained 0-0 midway through the 1^st quarter, but Brady did go over 3,000 yards in a season for the 10^th time in his career. He’s just the sixth player in NFL history to accomplish that feat six times.

The Jets began to drive until, in typical Mark Sanchez fashion, he threw an interception in the red zone. Steve Gregory picked it off to give the ball back to the Pats. It was the 22^nd straight game with a takeaway for New England, the longest active streak in the NFL.

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Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo is leading the team in tackles and is also first among AFC linebackers in Pro Bowl voting.

Last season, eight New England Patriots were named to the Pro Bowl and thankfully none were able to participate. This year, it looks like there could be close to the same number representing the Pats in Honolulu and again, none of them hope they get to play in the game.

So far, in the very preliminary stages of voting, 12 Patriots are in the hunt to make the Pro Bowl at their respective positions.

In 2011, as the Patriots went 13-3 and marched all the way to the Super Bowl, their key players in all phases of the game were rewarded with leis around their necks and Pro Bowl honors. Tom Brady, Wes Welker and Rob Gronkowski were all no-brainer selections as the trio led one of the most high-powered offenses in the game and were all chosen to start for the AFC.

Joining them on the starting offense were linemen Logan Mankins and Brian Waters – oh yeah, I remember when he actually played.

On the other side of the ball, mainstay pro bowler Vince Wilfork was selected and so was Andre Carter, who as some may have forgotten, had a very strong year for New England last year before a quad injury ended his season. Matthew Slater rounded out the Pats’ Pro Bowl selections, being named as the AFC’s special teams player.

Brady was chosen for the seventh time in his career and Waters was selected for the sixth time. Welker, Mankins and Wilfork all made their fourth appearances and Gronk, Carter and Slater were all first timers.

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