One of the topics of discussion over the last couple of weeks has been the team’s struggles with maintaining drives at the end of games, and after taking a look at the numbers, there was a notable trend that stuck out that may explain some of their problems.<\/p>\n
Looking at Tom Brady’s passing totals on third down late in the game it’s an area that prior to the last two weeks had been really, really bad.\u00a0 The good news is, he’s seen dramatic improvement in recent weeks, but prior to that, it’s been an area that was certainly in need of improvement.<\/p>\n
Overall in the first half, he’s been terrific.\u00a0 He’s completed 33-of-45 (73%) for 470-yards and four touchdowns on third down over the first two quarters.\u00a0 But from there, his total dips to 12-of-19 (63%) for 159-yards and a touchdown in the third quarter, and then plummets to just 9-of-19 (47%) for 83 yards in the fourth quarter.<\/p>\n
Breaking it down week by week, he’s had much better luck over the last two weeks, completing 3-of-4 (75%) for 17yds on third down during the final quarter of play.\u00a0 But prior to that, he was just 6-of-15 passing (40%) for 66-yards<\/p>\n
Here’s how it breaks down by each quarter for the season:<\/p>\n
Tom Brady 3rd Down Passing By Quarter:<\/strong><\/p>\n 1st QTR: 20-of-24 (83%) 285yds 3 TDs TOTAL:\u00a0<\/strong>54-of-83 (65%) 712yds 5 TDs<\/p>\n The last two weeks have seen them finish strong during the final quarter of play, which on Sunday included a 10 play drive that helped set up a 26-yard field goal by Stephen Gostkowski, giving the Patriots an 8-point lead that ended up being a big key in the win.<\/p>\n But one of their most impressive fourth quarter performances came the previous week against Atlanta where the Patriots took over with 4:07 to go in the game and ran out the clock, which included a 2-yard run on a 3rd-and-1 by Brady to move the chains and seal the victory.<\/p>\n Here’s a full week-by-week breakdown of their third down totals by quarter:<\/p>\n
\n2nd QTR: 21-of-13 (62%) 185yds 1 TD
\n3rd QTR: 12-of-19 (63%) 159yds 1 TD
\n4th QTR: 9-of-19 (47%) 83yds<\/p>\n