By one metric, the New England Patriots' offense wasn't all that productive Sunday.

According to ESPN's Aaron Schatz , the Patriots had a 33 percent offensive "success rate" against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, meaning only a third of their plays gained 40 percent of the required yards on first down, 60 percent on second down, or 100 percent (a first down or touchdown) on third or fourth down. The Bucs, meanwhile, had a 52 percent success rate.

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And yet ... the Patriots still racked up 435 total yards and four touchdowns against one of the best defenses in football en route to a 28-23 win . The key to victory? Explosive plays.

New England broke off four plays of 50 yards or more, three of which went for touchdow

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