FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The final results are in, and the New England Patriots have earned a top-10 ranking in the four major statistical categories: turnovers, points scored/allowed, third down offense/defense and red zone offense/defense.
It’s extremely rare to have those types of results.
Two categories where things turned dramatically since Nov. 20 (a defining point for the defense, according to linebacker Dont’a Hightower) are red-zone defense and turnover differential.
Consider that prior to that game, the Patriots’ red-zone D ranked 19th as opponents scored 16 touchdowns on 29 trips. The team’s turnover differential tied for 13th at that juncture at plus-1, with nine takeaways and eight giveaways.