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New England Patriots head coach head coach Bill Belichick looks toward the scoreboard late in the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012, in Seattle. The Seahawks beat the Patriots, 24-23. John Froschauer, Associated Press
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Seattle Seahawks' Sidney Rice comes down with a game-winning touchdown reception in the second half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012, in Seattle. The Seahawks beat the Patriots, 24-23. John Froschauer, Associated Press
By Associated Press

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The New England Patriots are just 3-3 and the poor play of their secondary is a big reason.

Only four teams have allowed more yards passing than the Patriots after they gave up completions of 51, 50 and 46 yards in a 24-23 loss to the Seattle Seahawks Sunday.

That continues a trend in which the Patriots allowed the second most yards passing in the NFL last season — even though they made the Super Bowl — and the third most in 2010.

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Besides allowing big plays, the secondary also has been hurt by injuries. One starting safety, Steve Gregory, missed the past two games with a hip injury and says he's day-to-day. The other, Patrick Chung, left Sunday's game after hurting his shoulder.

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