In his mailbag for SI.com, Peter King answers a question that has been on the minds of Patriots fans this season:

Q: From Lyndon of Claremont, N.H.: "Why do you think the Patriots score fewer points in the second half of their games? Are they having a tough time adapting to their opponents halftime adjustments or are they playing less aggressively? In the first half, the Pats have scored 196 points (while giving up 89) and in the second half, they've only scored 94 points (while giving up 82). They have lost three games this year, after leading at halftime. This concerns me, especially with their game with the Saints coming up next week.''

A: Good question. I have to say I don't know why this is. In their three losses, New England has been outscored 47-10 in the second half, which makes me wonder, like you, if they've taken their foot off the gas in the second half. Tom Brady has thrown 65 first-half passes and 55 in the second half of the losses; if you're averaging 18 passes a game in the second half, that's probably isn't much of an indication that you're easing off the gas. The Patriots have run the ball 35 times in those three second halves. So with a 55-35 pass-run ratio, clearly they're not slacking off. I think you've got to put the ginger on the defense here more than the offense, but I do agree the offense does need to play significantly better in the second half against strong defenses. In my opinion, this is more coincidence than anything else. If they put up three points in the second half Monday night, let's raise a red flag.