(A weekly look at the New England Patriots' penalties, both from a player and infraction standpoint.)
Veteran referee Ed Hochuli has been assigned to work Sunday's game between the Patriots and Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. This is the first Patriots game of the season for Hochuli, No. 85 in your officiating program and arguably the league's most recognized referee in part because of his prolific use of the microphone.
Through Week 12 games, Hochuli's crew ranks second among 17 crews in terms of most penalties called. So if that holds true to form, we should expect plenty of flags Sunday.
Hochuli's crew is tied for the NFL lead in facemask and offensive pass interference penalties, and has called more ineligible-man-downfield and roughing-the-kicker penalties than any other crew.
As for the Patriots, they had 11 accepted penalties last Sunday against the Detroit Lions. They now have 95 accepted penalties on the season, which keeps them on pace to smash the previous high for the team under Bill Belichick (111, in 2003).
In contrast, the Packers have been called for 64 accepted penalties this season.
Here is the weekly Patriots breakdown:
PENALTY LEADERBOARD
OT Nate Solder -- 9
CB Brandon Browner -- 8
WR Brandon LaFell -- 7
CB Logan Ryan -- 7
TE Rob Gronkowski -- 6
S Patrick Chung -- 5
OL Jordan Devey -- 5
C Bryan Stork -- 5
LB Jamie Collins -- 4
CB Darrelle Revis -- 4
Seven tied with 3 apiece
MOST FREQUENT PENALTIES
False start -- 16
Holding (offensive) -- 13
Holding (defensive) -- 12
Pass interference (defense) -- 9
Illegal block above the waist (special teams) -- 7
Holding (special teams) -- 6
Illegal use of hands -- 6
Pass interference (offensive) -- 6
Unnecessary roughness -- 5
Facemask -- 3
Illegal contact -- 3
Offside (special teams) -- 3
Roughing the passer -- 3