Following the flags: Breaking down the Patriots penalties through five games

In their first five games of the season, the Patriots have been flagged for 34 penalties and 318 yards. Here’s a breakdown of the calls that have gone against New England, not including penalties that were declined or offset:

Most penalized players, listed by total flags and with total yardage lost:
OL Nate Solder: three penalties (two holding and illegal use of hands), 30 yards
TE Rob Gronkowski: three penalties (holding, false start, facemask), 29 yards
S Sergio Brown: two penalties (both defensive pass interference), 51 yards
OL Matt Light: two penalties (both holding), 20 yards
OL Logan Mankins: two penalties (offensive holding and false start), 15 yards
OL Brian Waters: two penalties (holding, offensive holding), 15 yards
TE Dan Gronkowski: two penalties (both false starts), 10 yards
CB Leigh Bodden: two penalties (both defensive holding), 10 yards
S Pat Chung: one penalty (unncessary roughness), 15 yards
DL Andre Carter: one penalty (roughing the passer), 15 yards
LB Rob Ninkovich: one penalty (roughing the passer), 15 yards
DL Kyle Love: one penalty (roughing the passer), 15 yards
OL Dan Connolly: one penalty (offensive holding), 10 yards
S James Ihedigbo: one penalty (illegal block above the waist), 10 yards
CB Devin McCourty: one penalty (illegal block above the waist), 10 yards
WR Chad Ochocinco: two penalties (illegal formation, false start), 9 yards
LB Dane Fletcher: one penalty (offensive holding), 7 yards
TE Aaron Hernandez: one penalty (false start), 5 yards
WR Deion Branch: one penalty (false start), 5 yards
DL Vince Wilfork: one penalty (unsportsmanlike conduct), 2 yards
Team: two penalties (12 men on the field, offensive holding), 15 yards
WR Wes Welker: one penalty (illegal motion), 5 yards

Most penalized by position:
Offensive line: 10 penalties for 90 yards
Safety: four penalties for 76 yards
Tight end: six penalties for 44 yards
Defensive line: three penalties for 32 yards
Linebacker: two penalties for 22 yards
Cornerback: three penalties for 20 yards
Wide receiver: four penalties for 19 yards
Team: two penalties for 15 yards

Most frequently called penalties on the Patriots:
Offensive holding: 11
False start: seven
Roughing the passer: three
Defensive holding: two
Illegal block above the waist: two
Defensive pass interference: two
Facemask: one
Illegal formation: one
Illegal use of hands: one
Unsportsmanlike conduct: one
Unecessary roughness: one
Illegal motion: one
Twelve men in the huddle: one