THIRD DOWN NO PROBLEM FOR PATRIOTS

A year ago I posted about the Patriots' struggles with 3 and outs.  After getting shellacked by the Chiefs, the Patriots had accumulated a total of 13 three and outs and were on pace for 52.  Eventually they got their crap together and managed to finish the regular season with only 41.  This season the Patriots have started on a much better note and only have 2 three and outs.  

Of last season's early three and out problems, many of them came at the beginning of a half.  As a matter of fact the Patriots started each of their first four games of 2014 with a three and out.  This season the Patriots have started their games as follows:

Steelers- 6 plays, 3 first downs, punt

Bills- 7 plays, punt

Jaguars- 5 plays, touchdown

While the Patriots are tied for first with only 2 three and outs, they are in sole position of first place when it comes down to percentage with 5.88%.  The Patriots are not only being successful with avoiding the dreaded three and out, but are also being topnotch when it comes to converting on third downs.  Currently they have been successful 60% of the time (2014- 44.3%, 2013- 37.6%).

This past Sunday the Patriots scored on every one of their possessions.  As of now they are averaging 3.5 points per possession.  Believe it or not, this only puts them in second place since the Arizona Cardinals are averaging over 3.8. 

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