BY THE NUMBERS
3
Rob Ninkovich and Chandler Jones each had three forced fumbles on sacks in 2012 to lead the team.
3
The number of interceptions in the end zone by DB Devin McCourty. He led the team with five interceptions. It is the second time in three years that he has led the team in interceptions.
4
The number of interceptions in 2012 by rookie S Tavon Wilson, one more than the total he had during his college career at Illinois.
5
Wes Welker is the first player in NFL history to have five 100- catch seasons.
8
The number of strip-sack/turnovers the Patriots had in 2012 with three each by Chandler Jones and Rob Ninkovich and one each by Trevor Scott and Vince Wilfork.
9
The number of fumble recoveries by Rob Ninkovich over the last three years (2010-12), the most of any player in the NFL. Brian Urlacher and Vince Wilfork are second with seven.
9
The number of times that Wes Welker has reached 100 yards receiving in a single half in the regular season (6 in the first half and 3 in the second).
10
The Patriots 41-34 loss to San Francisco was their first December loss at Gillette Stadium since 2002, nearly 10 years ago.
11
The number of 20-yard runs by RB Stevan Ridley. Since 2000, Corey Dillon and Antowain Smith are tied with 13 runs of 20 or more, followed by Ridley and Laurence Maroney (11).
12
The Patriots earned their 12th straight winning season, the third team in NFL history to have 12 straight winning seasons since the 1970 merger.
13.1
Julian Edelman's 13.1 punt return average on 72 returns. He needs three more punt returns to reach the NFL qualifying number (75) to become the NFL's all-time punt return leader in average currently at 12.8 by George McAfee.
17
With Arizona having a losing record in 2012, the Patriots 20-18 loss to the Cardinals on Sept. 16 was their first home loss to a team with a losing record since a 31-17 loss on Dec. 3, 1995 to New Orleans (7-9), 17 years ago.
27
The Patriots forced a turnover in 27 straight games, dating back to 2011, and including all 16 games of 2012. The last team to have at least one forced turnover in all 16 regular season games was the 2010 Atlanta Falcons.
41
The number of forced turnovers by the Patriots in 2012 (20 interceptions and 21 fumble recoveries), second in the NFL to Chicago (44). The Patriots record for most forced turnovers in a season is 50 by the 1976 team. The most under the Belichick era is 41 by the 2003 team and the 2012 team.
TOM BRADY BY THE NUMBERS
1
Tom Brady became the first player to follow a 500-yard performance with a 400-yard performance after Brady had backto- back games with 517 yards and 423 yards to start 2011.
7
The number of 12-win seasons that Brady has guided the Patriots to during his career, second only to Peyton Manning's 9.
10
The number of division championships by Tom Brady, surpassing the nine division titles by Joe Montana and Peyton Manning for an NFL record.
36
The number of times Brady has thrown for at least three touchdowns with no interceptions, tied for second in NFL history with Brett Favre (36), behind Peyton Manning (38).
48
The number of consecutive games that Brady has thrown at least one touchdown pass, the longest active streak in the NFL and and the second longest streak behind Drew Brees (54).
53
The number of regular season 300-yard passing games by Tom Brady, a team record.
107
The number of times that Brady has thrown two or more touchdowns in a game. The Patriots are 91-16 (.850) when he throws for two or more touchdowns.
5,235
The number of passing yards by Brady in 2011, the second most in a season in NFL history.
THE KRAFT ERA
3
The number of Super Bowl championships the Patriots have won since Robert Kraft purchased the team in 1994. That mark is the highest total in the NFL over that span. Only Denver (2; 1997 and 1998), Pittsburgh (2; 2005 and 2008) and the NY Giants (2: 2007 and 2011) have won multiple Super Bowl titles since 1994.
6
The number of conference championships the Patriots have won since Robert Kraft purchased the team in 1994. That mark is the highest total in the NFL over that span. Pittsburgh is second with four conference titles since 1994.
12
The number of division championships won by the Patriots since Kraft purchased the team in 1994.
14
The number of playoff seasons earned by the Patriots in the 19 seasons since Robert Kraft purchased the team.
20
The number of playoff games the Patriots have won since Robert Kraft purchased the team in 1994. That mark is the highest total in the NFL over that span. Pittsburgh ranks second with 17 playoff wins over that span.
31
The number of playoff games the Patriots have appeared in since 1994, the most in the NFL. Green Bay has the second most with 28.
205
The number of consecutive home games that have been sold out, including all playoff and preseason games dating back to the 1994 season opener.
THE BELICHICK ERA
10
The number of 11-win seasons by Bill Belichick, tied with Tom Landry for second to Don Shula's 13.
24.6
In Bill Belichick's head coaching career, his teams have scored an average of 24.6 points per game, the highest total among head coaches with at least 200 games.
205
Bill Belichick has 205 career victories as a head coach, including playoff games, tied with Marty Schottenheimer for sixth place all-time.