There was a long silence on the other end of the line while an NFL coach processed a chart showing just how many additional practices the New England Patriots have conducted over the past five seasons. The total is 22 percent higher for New England than for much of the league, an eye-opening differential in an era of sharply reduced practice opportunities.

"Having that many more is a substantial advantage," the coach finally said.

To the NFL's losers go higher draft choices. To its victors go additional opportunities to practice, meet with players, review game video and generally better themselves. New England's matchup Sunday against Denver in the AFC Championship Game will be the Patriots' league-leading 92nd regular-season or postseason game since the 2011 collective bargaining agreement imposed restrictions on practices. Ten teams have played the minimum 80 games, but that is only part of the story. The advantage becomes exponential and potentially self-sustaining when one considers the related benefits.

The raw numbers

The numbers for New England add up quickly. Eighty regular-season games plus five regular-season bye weeks plus 12 playoff game weeks plus five wild-card bye weeks plus two Super Bowl bye weeks equals 104 practice weeks. Teams typically practice three times per week, which means the Patriots have had roughly 312 practice sessions over the past five seasons, compared with the minimum 255 for 10 teams, including each of New England's AFC East rivals.

The chart below is the one referenced in the opening paragraph above. It ranks NFL teams by estimated in-season practice opportunities over the past five seasons, assuming three practices per week.