- CIN 8/15 = 53%
- NYJ 6/13 = 46%
- BUF 5/10 = 50%
- MIA 10/15 = 66%
- BAL 5/16 = 31%
- SD 7/15 = 46%
- MIN 4/11 = 36%
Statistically the Vikings game was the best one yet for the Patriots defense on third down, however these stats don’t reflect the two times that the Pats got penalties on 3rd down and kept the Minny drives alive.
The first was Brandon Meriweather taking a necessary PI call on Randy Moss that prevented a touchdown. I can live with that one.
The second was an illegal contact on Wilhite that was not necessary. Bill Belichick was visibly pissed with him after that. Minnesota would’ve had 4th and 3 if not for that penalty.
Overall the Pats percentage on third down rose from 49% to 47% which still keeps them last in the NFL, but the improvement of the past three weeks, where they are only giving up an average of 37.6% of their third downs, which is just about the league-wide average.