One statistic that was charted over the course of the Patriots' season was the number of times the defense was in a sub package (five or more defensive backs) versus their base defense.

The reason for charting this is to highlight the importance of depth at defensive back (a fifth DB is essentially a starter), as well as the importance of pass rushers who fit in the sub.

The final numbers: The Patriots were in sub 57.4 percent of the time this season (644 of 1,121, including penalties). They were in base on 39.4 percent of the snaps.

As it relates to Sunday's playoff game against the Texans, the Dec. 10 meeting marked one of just five games this season in which the Patriots were in their base defense more than sub packages. That is a result of the Texans running multiple tight-end packages.

The season breakdown:

vs. Dolphins

Sub: 51 of 59

Base: 7 of 59

Short-yardage: 1 of 59

at Jaguars

Sub: 63 of 80

Base: 15 of 80

Short-yardage: 2 of 80

vs. 49ers

Base: 51 of 67

Sub: 11 of 67

Short-yardage: 5 of 67

vs. Texans

Base: 47 of 70

Sub: 20 of 70

Short-yardage: 3 of 70

at Dolphins

Sub: 36 of 63

Base: 27 of 63

Short-yardage: 0 of 63

at Jets

Sub: 49 of 72

Base: 22 of 72

Short-yardage: 1 of 72

vs. Colts

Sub: 54 of 78

Base: 22 of 78

Short-yardage: 2 of 78

vs. Bills

Sub: 62 of 81

Base: 17 of 81

Short-yardage: 2 of 81

at Rams

Base: 39 of 63

Sub: 24 of 63

Short-yardage: 0 of 63

vs. Jets

Base: 50 of 84

Sub: 32 of 84

Short-yardage: 2 of 84

at Seahawks

Base: 40 of 56

Sub: 16 of 56

Short-yardage: 0 of 56

vs. Broncos

Sub: 60 of 66

Base: 5 of 66

Short-yardage: 1 of 66

at Bills

Sub: 58 of 71

Base: 13 of 71

Short-yardage: 0 of 71

at Ravens

Base: 37 of 73

Sub: 36 of 73

Short-yardage: 0 of 73

vs. Cardinals

Sub: 30 of 64

Base: 29 of 64

Short-yardage: 5 of 64

at Titans

Sub: 42 of 65

Base: 21 of 65

Short-yardage: 2 of 65