DENVER -- A look at the positional groupings utilized in Sunday's win over the Broncos (as charted in press box, small margin for error):
2 WR/2 TE/1 RB -- 47 of 78
1 WR/3 TE/1 RB -- 14 of 78
3 WR/1 TE/ 1 RB -- 9 of 78
3 WR/2 TE -- 4 of 78
3 TE/1 FB/1 RB -- 4 of 78
ANALYSIS: The 3 TE/1 FB/1 RB package, which for most teams would tip off a run, produced big results in the passing game. That was what the Patriots ran on Aaron Hernandez's 1-yard touchdown catch and also on Hernandez' 25-yard catch in the second quarter on fourth-and-1. The fourth-down connection was a big play in the game, setting up Tom Brady's QB sneak two plays later to give the Patriots a 24-16 lead. The Patriots were going to run the ball out of that personnel grouping, but called timeout. They then brought the same personnel group on to the field, liked the matchup, and went to the air with Brady keeping his balance after tripping during his drop before firing a strike to Hernandez. The Broncos had their heavy defensive package on the field (just one defensive back), which meant a favorable matchup for Hernandez. This is one example of how the Patriots' tight ends create versatility within the scheme to take advantage of favorable matchups.