FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The Patriots played 61 of their 73 defensive snaps against the Eagles in a sub package (5 or more defensive backs) last Sunday. That upped the season numbers to 62 percent for sub packages.
Here is the Patriots' season outlook when comparing the base and sub defenses (including penalties):
Sub -- 487 of 779 (62.5 percent)
Base -- 272 of 779 (34.9 percent)
Short-yardage -- 20 of 779 (2.5 percent)
These numbers highlight the importance of the team's fifth, sixth and seventh defensive backs, which brings Julian Edelman into the discussion. While Bill Belichick said it's too early to consider a full-time switch to cornerback for Edelman, he wants to continue working with him in that role.
The game by game breakdown of base vs. sub:
Eagles
Sub -- 61 of 73
Base -- 11 of 73
Short-yardage -- 1 of 73
Chiefs
Base -- 41 of 70
Sub -- 29 of 70
Short-yardage -- 0 of 70
Jets
Sub -- 50 of 72
Base -- 22 of 72
Short-yardage -- 0 of 72
Giants
Sub -- 35 of 72
Base -- 34 of 72
Short-yardage -- 3 of 72
Steelers
Sub -- 62 of 80
Base -- 14 of 80
Short-yardage -- 4 of 80
Cowboys
Base -- 40 of 74*
Sub -- 33 of 74
Short-yardage -- 1 of 74
* Includes one play with 12 men on the field
Jets
Base -- 33 of 54
Sub -- 21 of 54
Short-yardage -- 0 of 54
Raiders
Base -- 38 of70*
Sub -- 30 of 70
Short-yardage -- 2 of 70
* includes one play with 10 men on the field
Bills
Sub -- 58 of 66
Base -- 2 of 66
Short-yardage -- 6 of 66
Chargers
Sub -- 49 of 72
Base -- 22 of 72
Short-yardage -- 1 of 72
Dolphins
Sub -- 59 of 76
Base -- 15 of 76
Short yardage -- 2 of 76