These are the snap counts from the Patriots 41-25 victory over the Bills in week 8.
OC David Andrews is no longer an ironman
Andrews (65, 94%) sat for the final four snaps of the game as back-up C Ted Karras (4, 6%) came on with back-up QB Jimmy Garoppolo (4, 6%). LG Joe Thuney (69, 100%) is the last remaining 100% player for the Patriots.
LT Nate Solder and RG Shaq Mason both played 100% of the snaps, too. RT Marcus Cannon (65, 94%) sat in favor of OT Cameron Fleming (5, 7%) when QB Tom Brady (65, 94%) was pulled from the game.
The Patriots have found their ideal offensive mix
WR Chris Hogan (64, 93%) led Patriots skill players in snaps, with TE Rob Gronkowski (63, 91%) and WR Julian Edelman (61, 88%) close behind. Since the Patriots always have one running back on the field- LeGarrette Blount (36, 52%) and James White (32, 48%) split the role- that leaves just one skill position left open on the field.
TE Martellus Bennett (42, 61%) led the way, despite clearly being limited with an ankle injury. WR Danny Amendola (32, 46%) saw plenty of action, too, as rookie WR Malcolm Mitchell was a scratch. FB James Develin (7, 10%) continues to have a minor role.
It would seem like the Patriots are comfortable running the 2-tight end offense and 3-wide receiver offensive at a 50/50 split.
LB Jamie Collins appeared to be limited
Collins is no longer on the injury report, but he only played 48 (62%) of the defensive snaps. LB Dont’a Hightower (57, 73%), LB Elandon Roberts (28, 36%), LB Shea McClellin (20, 26%), and LB Barkevious Mingo (9, 12%) filled in the blanks.
The defensive line rotation was operating at a high level
ED Rob Ninkovich (62, 79%) is back in the swing of things, leading ED Jabaal Sheard (57, 73%), ED Chris Long (54, 69%), and a surprisingly short day for ED Trey Flowers (21, 27%). Even ED Geneo Grissom (6, 8%) got in on some of the action.
DT Malcom Brown (50, 64%) and DT Alan Branch (43, 55%) were active, with rookie DT Vincent Valentine (17, 22%) still working his way back from injury.
The Patriots put in their back-up secondary at the end of the game
S Patrick Chung, S Devin McCourty, and CB Malcolm Butler all played 70 snaps (90%), but they sat for the final few plays. CB Logan Ryan (51, 65%) was the #2 cornerback by snaps, so perhaps his demotion is overblown and is more due to match-ups.
CB Eric Rowe (47, 60%), CB Justin Coleman (33, 42%), and S Duron Harmon (29, 37%) chipped in during the game. S Nate Ebner (8, 10%) and S Jordan Richards (8, 10%) had clean-up duty.
The following players saw 15+ snaps on special teams:
S Nate Ebner (23), ED Geneo Grissom (22), S Patrick Chung (19), RB Brandon Bolden (19), S Brandon King (18), LB Barkevious Mingo (18), WR Matthew Slater (18)