Mike Dussault

Here’s the latest breakdown of efficiency rankings from Football Outsiders.

New England Patriots

3rd Overall

Offense: 2nd Overall

• Passing: 2nd
• Rushing: 6th

Defense: 23rd Overall

• Passing: 22nd
• Rushing: 23rd

• vs. #1 WR: 32nd
• vs. #2 WR: 10th
• vs. other WR: 16th
• vs. TE: 27th
• vs. RB: 5th

Special Teams: 8th

NOTES: Certainly looks pretty obvious that the place to attack the Pats defense is with your best WR and your Tight End, eh? This is a departure from last year when the Pats struggled mightily against pass catching RBs. Wonder if the four man front has something to do with that. More speed on the field certainly helps.

Surprised at the 8th ranking for Special Teams given how much our kick returners have struggled this year. Especially surprising since it seems like every skill player we have has returned a kickoff at some point this year. No one has been able to stick.