When looking at the positional groupings utilized in the Patriots' 45-3 win over the Jets, the diversity, balance and versatility of the offensive approach stands out.

On the first play of the game, receiver Wes Welker started in the offensive backfield before motioning out to an empty set. On the second play, tight end Alge Crumpler was lined up in the backfield.

Those were just two examples of how the Patriots mixed their looks and tapped into the versatility of their offensive weapons.

After the game, Jets coach Rex Ryan talked about how the Patriots have utilized the empty set against his pressure-based defense. In four games over the last two seasons, the Patriots have gone "empty" about 10 snaps per game.

"That really wasn’t a surprise. I think the way they executed was a bit of a surprise to us though," he said of the Patriots using empty sets. "You’ve got to give them credit."

A look at the Patriots' positional groupings:

2 WR/2 TE/1 RB -- 28 of 61 (12 first half/16 second half)
3 WR/1 TE/ 1 RB -- 15 of 61 (12 first half/3 second half)
3 TE/1 FB/1 RB -- 7 of 61 (3 first half/4 second half)
1 WR/3 TE/1 RB -- 7 of 61 (3 first half/4 second half)
1 WR/2 TE/1 FB/1 RB -- 3 of 61 (2 first half/1 second half)
2 WR/1 TE/1 FB/1 RB -- 1 of 61 (1 first half/0 second half)

(Includes penalties for defensive pass interference, offensive pass interference and defensive 12-men-on-the-field.)