Throughout the season, the plan is to track how often the Patriots are in sub packages on defense (5 or more defensive backs).
In the team's most recent game, a 20-17 overtime loss to the Broncos, the Patriots stayed in their base 4-3 alignment 66 percent of the time. That was the highest percentage of base defense in a game this season.
Including some penalties which don't count as official plays, here is a breakdown of the team's defensive alignments through five games (small margin for error):
Sub package: 151 of 305 (49.5 percent)
4-3 alignment: 142 of 305 (46.5 percent)
3-4 alignment: 10 of 305 (3.2 percent)
Short yardage: 2 of 305 (.06 percent)