When the Patriots are ahead by two or more scores, Patriots have allowed league worst 19 20 yard plays (tied with Colts). When looking at times where the Patriots lead is less than 2 scores, the defense rockets up to 6th best, allowing just 48 plays of 20 yards. Seattle is tied first with 39. This means that when the game is close, New England has done an outstanding job of preventing the other team from picking up quick yards to move down the field- and yes, this is including the playoffs.