Rewinding the tape

When considering how the Patriots' offense might attack the Jaguars' defense in tonight's divisional playoff game, a look back at last year's Dec. 24 regular season game between the teams could help.

Here is a look at the positional groupings utilized by the Patriots in that game:

3 WR/1 TE/1 RB -- 30 of 67 snaps
4 WR/1 RB -- 14 of 67
4 WR/1 TE -- 7 of 67
2 WR/2 TE/1 RB -- 6 of 67
3 TE/1 FB/1 RB -- 4 of 67
5 WR -- 3 of 67
1 WR/2 TE/1 FB/1 RB -- 2 of 67
2 WR/1 TE/1 FB/1 RB -- 1 of 67

ANALYSIS: The Patriots flooded the field with pass-catchers in the game, as 54 of 67 snaps came with either 3, 4, or 5 receivers. This was also a game where the Patriots lined up receivers in the backfield at times. So as kickoff nears tonight, it will be interesting to see if the team adopts a similar receiver-based approach. Based on the team's overall approach this season, that would appear likely.