Massarotti: Numbers To Consider From Patriots' AFC Championship Loss
BOSTON (CBS) -- Without passing any judgment, a number of statistics and details to consider from the Patriots' 20-18 loss to the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game:
27
Possessions the Patriots had in Denver this season without the benefit of a true touchdown "drive" when Bill Belichick elected to go for it on fourth-and-1 with roughly six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. In late November, the Patriots' two touchdown "drives" began on the Denver 47-yard line and the Denver 15, the latter the result of a Denver turnover; the only other score came via a 63-yard strike to Brandon Bolden on a route the Patriots repeatedly missed on Sunday. Also, New England's first touchdown began on Denver 22 after a botched backwards pass by the Broncos.
73.3
Completion percentage of Peyton Manning on balls thrown within 10 yards of the line scrimmage (he went 11-of-15). On balls thrown beyond 10 yards, Manning went just 6-of-17 (35.3 percent), though two of those plays went for touchdowns thanks to coverage mistakes or confusion by the Patriots.
34
Average starting field position for the Broncos on their 15 possessions. The Patriots began each possession, on average, at their own 27-yard line, though the Broncos did a good job of pinning them in their own zone in the second half. In the final two quarters, until the final possession that produced a New England toughdown, the Patriots' average starting field position was their own 19-yard line; twice, the Patriots began inside their own 10.
26
Average starting field position of the Broncos in the second half before New England's attempt at an onside kick.
4
Denver punts downed inside the New England 20 by punter Britton Colquitt and the Broncos coverage team. The Patriots, by contrast, pinned the Broncos inside the 20 on a punt only once.