WORKING OVERTIME
The Patriots have won their last eight overtime games (including the playoffs). The Patriots' eight-game overtime winning streak is the longest in NFL history. The Patriots have won two overtime games this season, defeating the Dolphins 19-13 in Miami and defeating the Texans 23-20 in Houston. New England has not lost in overtime since Buffalo won 16-13 at Foxboro Stadium on Nov. 5, 2000. Since that time, the Patriots have won eight straight, including five games in which they scored on their first possession of overtime.

O.T. IS THE PLACE TO BE
The Patriots have won eight straight overtime games and own the longest overtime winning streak in NFL history, including playoff games. The streak includes New England's 16-13 "Snow Bowl" win over Oakland in the 2001 Divisional Playoffs (01/19/02).

MOST CONSECUTIVE OVERTIME VICTORIES

HOLDING THE LEAD
The Patriots lead the NFL with 27 consecutive victories when holding a lead entering the fourth quarter. The last time New England lost a game in which it held a fourth-quarter lead was on Dec. 24, 2000, when it led Miami 24-17 entering the fourth quarter and ended up losing, 27-24. Since then, the Patriots have won six games in which they trailed or were tied entering the fourth quarter. New England was 10-0 when leading after three quarters in 2001, 6-0 in 2002 and 11-0 in 2003.
CONSECUTIVE WINS / LEADING AFTER THREE QUARTERS

BELICHICK'S PATRIOTS RENAISSANCE
Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick was facing one of the biggest challenges of his coaching career on Oct. 14, 2001. Going into a game against the San Diego Chargers at Foxboro Stadium, the coach was faced with a 1-3 record, a young quarterback and a team that few people expected would eventually hoist the Lombardi Trophy less than four months later. The Patriots rebounded from a 10-point deficit and won that day, topping San Diego 29-26 in overtime and igniting a run that took New England to the top of the NFL world in winning Super Bowl XXXVI. The victory came near the beginning of a run that has seen Belichick compile the best record of any NFL head coach since the beginning of the 2001 season, leading his team to wins in 37 of its last 51 games. The remarkable run includes postseason play, where Belichick and the Patriots own a perfect 3-0 record.

NFL COACHES RECORDS SINCE 2001

MEETING THE CHALLENGE
The Patriots have been forced to face some of the NFL's elite defenses this season and have responded with victories. New England has played six games against teams with defenses ranked in the top six in the league heading into the game, including matchups with the top two defenses in consecutive games (Denver and Dallas). Below are the results of New England's games against tough defenses.

FOURTH QUARTER QUALITY
The fourth quarter has been the Patriots' most productive segment of the game so far this season. New England has netted 94 fourth-quarter points, while allowing their opponents just 72 fourth-quarter points this season.
TURNING OVER WINS

The 2003 Patriots recorded a +17 turnover differential, the highest differential in team history. New England is 11-0 this season when it records a positive or even turnover ratio, and is 3-2 when it has a negative turnover ratio. Since the beginning of the 2001 season, the Patriots are 23-2 when they record a positive turnover differential. New England notched a +5 turnover differential in its Week Six win over the New York Giants. It was their greatest turnover advantage since they also came out ahead by five turnovers in a 27-17 win over Buffalo (12/08/02).

RISING TO THE OCCASION
The Patriots were 7-0 this season against teams with winning records, showing their ability to beat the NFL's top teams. New England tied the 1969 Minnesota Vikings for the best record in NFL history against teams above .500. The Patriots finished with a 5-0 record against 2003 playoff teams. New England beat three 12-4 teams (Indianapolis, Philadelphia and Tennessee), and three 10-6 teams (Dallas, Denver and Miami twice).

RECORDS AGAINST OPPOSITION ABOVE .500

STINGY ON THIRD DOWN
The Patriots ranked seventh in the NFL in allowing their opponents just 81 conversions in 235 third-down opportunities (34.5 percent). In 2002, the Patriots allowed their opponents to convert on third down 43 percent of the time. The Patriots held their opponents to less than a 30 percent third-down conversion rate on six separate occasions and won five of the six games, including a 12-0 shutout win over Miami to clinch the AFC East title. Over a three-game span from Weeks Two through Four, the Patriots allowed their opponents just seven conversions in 38 tries (18.4 percent).

HOLDING OPPONENT TO UNDER 30% ON THIRD DOWN