By the numbers: New England Patriots at Seattle Seahawks

John Morgan

Oct 12, 2012 at 6:20pm ET

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Before getting in to the key matchups for Sunday's game in Seattle I wanted to look at some facts and figures, stats and trivia for the two teams.

What: 3-2 New England Patriots at 3-2 Seattle Seahawks

When/Where: 4:05 p.m. ET at CenturyLink Field on Sunday, October 14

TV: 17% of CBS stations, DirecTV channel 712; announcers are Ian Eagle and Dan Fouts

Radio: 98.5 in Boston and the Patriots Radio Network; Sirius XM channel 818

Odds: Pats opened as a 3-point favorite, now 3.5; over/under opened at 46, now down to 44.5

Patriots Offense vs Seahawks Defense
(per game unless noted otherwise)

Passing Yards per Game -- Pats 274 (8th), Seahawks 192 (4th)
Passing Yards per Attempt -- Pats 7.8 (7th), Seahawks 6.0 (2nd)
Passer Rating -- Patriots 102.8 (3rd), Seahawks 72.4 (6th)
Interceptions -- Patriots 1 (1st), Seahawks 3 (21st)
Sacks -- Patriots 12 (17th), Seahawks 16 (5th)
Yards Lost on Sacks -- Pats 80 (18th), Seahawks 93 (11th)

Rushing Yards per Game -- Pats 165.4 (3rd), Seahawks 66.6 (3rd)
Rushing Yards per Attempt -- Pats 4.3 (9th), Seahawks 3.2 (4th)

Seahawks Offense vs Patriots Defense
(per game unless noted otherwise)

Passing Yards per Game -- Seahawks 147 (31st), Pats 290 (29th)
Passing Yards per Attempt -- Seahawks 6.5 (29th), Pats 7.7 (21st)
Passer Rating -- Seahawks 75.3 (27th), Pats 96.3 (23rd)
Interceptions -- Seahawks 6 (21st), Pats 6 (8th)
Sacks -- Seahawks 10 (12th), Pats 9 (20th)
Yards Lost on Sacks -- Seahawks 80 (18th), Pats 31 (29th)

Rushing Yards per Game -- Seahawks 140.2 (7th), Pats 82.2 (8th)
Rushing Yards per Attempt -- Seahawks 4.1 (15th), Pats 3.4 (5th)

Total DVOA -- Patriots 29.0% (5th), Seahawks 21.7% (10th)
Turnover Differential -- Pats +10 (1st), Seahawks -1 (17th)

Franchise History: Patriots lead series 8-7 (.538) and have outscored Seattle 298-271. The Pats have won both meeting since Bill Belichick became the head coach: 24-21 at Seattle in 2008 (a Sammy Morris 1-yard run capped the come from behind victory) and 30-20 at Foxboro in 2004 (Corey Dillon ran for 105 yards and two touchdowns).

- With Tom Brady as their starting quarterback the Patriots have never lost two regular season games to NFC opponents.

- Long Plays: the Pats' defense has allowed the most pass plays of 20+ yards this season (27), but the Seahawks' offense has completed the fewest 20+ yard pass plays (8)

- Starting Field Position: Seattle leads the league, with their drives averaging a start at the 31.5 yard line; the Pats are close behind, starting at the 30 (6th).

- 3rd and Long: Seattle's defense has forced opponents in to 3rd and six or more 67.7% of the time, which is 2nd best in the NFL. However, they have also allowed opponents to convert on 38% on 3rd and 6+, which ranks 29th (5th worst). The Pats have been even worse, allowing opponents to convert on 42% of those plays (3rd worst).

- Three and Out: Seattle's defense leads the NFL with 18 three and outs (34%); the Pats offense leads the league in fewest three and outs.

- Strong Starts for the Defense: the Patriots and the Seahawks are the only two teams that have not allowed an opponent to score a touchdown in the first quarter this season.

- Goal to Go: The New England offense has had fifteen goal to go situations and scored twelve times; both figures rank first in the NFL. The Seattle offense has had just three goal to go drives, scoring only once.

- Road Warriors: the Patriots have scored at least 30 points in seven consecutive road games. That ties a franchise record; since the merger the longest streak of 30+ point is eight, by the Rams in 1999-2000. The Pats have also scored at least 30 points in 14 of their last 15 away games.

That's it for the stats; I'll look at the personnel matchups and have a prediction on what team will win and why tomorrow.

October 12 in Patriots History

- October 12, 1975:
Mack Herron rushes for a career high 119 yards against the Bengals

- October 12, 1980:
Vagas Ferguson had a career long run of 44 yards in a 34-0 win against Miami

- October 12, 2003:
Matt Chatham recovers a fumble by Tiki Barber and returns it 38 yards for the only touchdown of his NFL career in a 17-6 win against the Giants

A very special thanks to Gary Marbry and Bob Hyldburg for much of the information found above.

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October 12, 1935:
Sam Moore (Sam and Dave) was born

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