Consider that the four teams that have allowed the most passing yards this season are the Packers, Patriots, New York Giants and New Orleans Saints, four division champions with a combined 50-14 record. Removing the blowout situations paints a clearer picture of the defense, an opportunistic unit that is willing to surrender yards (8.2 yards per attempt in 10-point games or less, 29th in NFL) in exchange for preventing the big play. Additionally, the Patriots defense has made some big plays of its own, tying for second in interceptions (23) and first in red-zone interceptions (six).