The Patriots lose another key player in Josh Kline
Hopefully the shoulder injury to Kline isn't serious, but the veteran guard ranked second in snaps for the Patriots offense, behind only quarterback Tom Brady. Kline (76 snaps, 85%) left and Tre Jackson (65, 73%) and Shaq Mason (38, 43%) had to step up. Sebastian Vollmer, Marcus Cannon, and Bryan Stork (89) all played 100% of the snaps. Cameron Fleming (3, 3%) saw some short yardage time. David Andrews didn't see the field. This line is in a funk and there is no easy solution.
James White leads the running backs, but Keshawn Martin (86, 97%) topped all the skill players
LeGarrette Blount (26, 29%) was successful in his attempts, but the game script forced the Patriots to throw the ball. White (51, 57%) stepped up as Brandon Bolden (19, 21%) continued in his reserve role. Martin outsnapped Brandon LaFell (84, 94%) and Danny Amendola (75, 84%), in a sign of serious responsibility. Scott Chandler (61, 69%), Michael Williams (25, 28%), and Asante Cleveland (11, 12%) contributed at tight end. Damaris Johnson (3, 3%) didn't see many opportunities.
The secondary played multiple free safeties
Maybe it was out of fear of the Eagles big passing game, but safety Duron Harmon (53, 87%) was the fifth defensive back on the field. Patrick Chung, Devin McCourty, Malcolm Butler, and Logan Ryan all played 100% of the snaps (61). Nate Ebner (8, 13%) and Tavon Wilson (1, 2%) saw some time as the Patriots trie dto figure out how to stop Darren Sproles.
Jamie Collins wasn't 100% on the day
Collins (54, 89%) sat out a drive, while Jonathan Freeny (47, 77%) and Jerod Mayo (13, 21%) continue to see time on the field. Edge defenders Chandler Jones (52, 85%), Rob Ninkovich (49, 80%), and Jabaal Sheard (37, 61%) continue to rotate.
The defensive line missed Dominique Easley
With the top pass rusher inactive, rookie Malcom Brown took over and played 37 snaps (61%) on the day. Alan Branch (36, 59%) struggled this week after a dominant performance, and Akiem Hicks (23, 38%) and Sealver Siliga (17, 28%) continue to see roughly 20 snaps per game.
These players saw 15+ snaps on special teams
Nate Ebner (31), Tavon Wilson (25), Brandon King (24), Brandon Bolden (24), Jonathan Bostic (23), Darius Fleming (23), Jonathan Freeny (21), Patrick Chung (15), Matthew Slater (15)