Patriots vs Jets snap count report: New England’s defense has a light day against New York

The New England Patriots are heading into the fourth week of the regular season with a perfect 3-0 record after defeating the visiting New York Jets 30-14 — a game that was not as close as the final score might indicate: the Patriots were in full control from the second quarter on, after jumping to an early 20-0 lead. They never looked back and along the way saw contributions from every member on their game-day roster.

With that in mind, let’s dig a little deeper into the snap count numbers from the game to get an impression of how the Patriots used their players.

Offense

Total snaps: 77

OG Joe Thuney (77; 100%), OC Ted Karras (77; 100%), OT Marshall Newhouse (77; 100%), OG Shaq Mason (75; 97%), OT Marcus Cannon (75; 97%), QB Tom Brady (73; 95%), WR Phillip Dorsett II (71; 92%), WR Josh Gordon (68; 88%), RB Rex Burkhead (57; 74%), TE Ryan Izzo (51; 66%), WR Jakobi Meyers (49; 64%), WR Julian Edelman (39; 51%), RB Brandon Bolden (22; 29%), RB Sony Michel (17; 22%), WR Gunner Olszewski (7; 9%), QB Jarrett Stidham (4; 5%), WR Matthew Slater (2; 3%), FB Jakob Johnson (2; 3%), OC James Ferentz (2; 3%), OG Jermaine Eluemunor (2; 3%)

With the Patriots being in a position to take the foot off the gas in the second quarter, the team was able to give some of their players some rest that would otherwise be on the field for 100% of offensive snaps: right guard Shaq Mason and right tackle Marcus Cannon were given two plays off, while Tom Brady also briefly exited the game in the fourth quarter in favor of rookie quarterback Jarrett Stidham. Meanwhile, some depth players were also given a chance to show their value.

At wide receiver, Phillip Dorsett took on the number one role after Julian Edelman was forced to leave the game in the late second quarter because of a chest injury. Together with Josh Gordon, Dorsett took over as the main contributor at the position — one that also saw considerable snaps from undrafted rookie Jakobi Meyers: after being mostly a depth player over the first two weeks, New England gave him 49 snaps as a fourth and later third option.

Speaking of considerable snaps, Rex Burkhead was New England’s top running back against New York. Besides seeing plenty of action in the kicking game, Burkhead was on the field for 57 snaps on Sunday and showed why he can be a valuable contributor when given the chance: Burkhead carried the football 11 times for 47 yards and scored a touchdown; he also added 22 more yards on six receptions.

Defense

Total snaps: 51

LB Kyle Van Noy (51; 100%), SS Patrick Chung (48; 94%), CB Stephon Gilmore (48; 94%), FS Devin McCourty (41; 80%), LB Jamie Collins Sr. (39; 76%), CB Jonathan Jones (35; 69%), LB Dont’a Hightower (35; 69%), CB Jason McCourty (34; 67%), CB J.C. Jackson (32; 63%), DE John Simon (30; 59%), DT Adam Butler (25; 49%), DT Danny Shelton (23; 45%), FS Duron Harmon (23; 45%), DT Lawrence Guy (19, 37%), DE Michael Bennett (19, 37%), LB Elandon Roberts (16; 31%), LB Ja’Whaun Bentley (14; 27%), DE Deatrich Wise Jr. (14; 27%), DE Chase Winovich (13; 25%), SS Terrence Brooks (3; 6%)

With the Jets gaining only six first downs and failing to convert even one of their 12 third down attempts, the Patriots defense was able to leave the field often — and the snap count total shows: the 51 snaps the unit played on Sunday is by far the lowest of the season, which in turn allowed New England to give some of their players time off that would otherwise hardly ever leave the field (Devin McCourty, Stephon Gilmore, Patrick Chung).

What also stands out is the usage along the defensive edge: John Simon led the group with 30 defensive snaps played, noticeably more than Michael Bennett, Deatrich Wise Jr. and Chase Winovich. Bennett in particular is an interesting case as he played a season-low 19 snaps but continued to look good in his comparatively limited action. It will be interesting to see how his role evolves over the next few weeks.

At defensive tackle, meanwhile, the rotation was alive and well: Adam Butler and Danny Shelton led the way with 25 and 23 snaps, respectively. Lawrence Guy, meanwhile, played 19 snaps and like Butler and Shelton helped shut down New York’s ground attack. All in all, the depth at the position and on the entire defense was on display during the blowout win.

Special Teams

Total snaps: 35

WR Matthew Slater (26; 74%), DE Chase Winovich (24; 69%), CB Jonathan Jones (23, 66%), RB Brandon Bolden (22; 63%), LB Jamie Collins Sr. (22; 63%), DE John Simon (22; 63%), SS Terrence Brooks (20; 57%), WR Gunner Olszewski (19; 54%), LB Elandon Roberts (17; 49%), RB Rex Burkhead (14; 40%), LS Joe Cardona (14; 40%), P Jake Bailey (14; 40%), CB Joejuan Williams (13; 37%), LB Dont’a Hightower (12; 34%), LB Ja’Whaun Bentley (12; 34%), CB J.C. Jackson (11; 31%), DT Lawrence Guy (11; 31%), K Stephen Gostkowski (11; 31%), FS Devin McCourty (10; 29%), DT Danny Shelton (8; 23%), FB Jakob Johnson (6; 17%), CB Jason McCourty (6; 17%), OG Joe Thuney (5; 14%), OC Ted Karras (5; 14%), OG Shaq Mason (5; 14%), OC James Ferentz (5; 14%), OG Jermaine Eluemunor (5; 14%), RB Damien Harris (5; 14%), DT Adam Butler (4; 11%), RB Sony Michel (3; 9%), LB Kyle Van Noy (3; 9%), WR Josh Gordon (2; 6%), TE Ryan Izzo (2; 6%), SS Patrick Chung (2; 6%), FS Duron Harmon (1; 3%), DT Byron Cowart (1; 3%)

New England used 36 players in the kicking game on Sunday, with six of them playing exclusively in the kicking game: the specialists as well as rookies Joejuan Williams, Damien Harris and Byron Cowart. While Cowart has seen some actual in-game action before this season, Williams and Harris — both drafted by the Patriots on day two in April — got their first taste of the NFL against the Jets.

Did not play

N/A

For the first time all season, the Patriots used all 46 players on their game-day roster on Sunday. Even backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham saw some action, entering the game in the fourth quarter. His NFL debut was rather short, however, as the team pulled him again after just four snaps — the last of which an ugly interception that was returned for a touchdown by Jets safety Jamal Adams.

Inactive

FB James Develin, RB James White, TE Matt LaCosse, OT Caleb Benenoch, S Nate Ebner, OT Korey Cunningham, LB Shilique Calhoun

The Patriots’ inactives list for Sunday’s game was a mix of injured players and healthy scratches: while James White, Caleb Benenoch, Korey Cunningham and Shilique Calhoun missed the contest not because of health-related issues, the other three men — James Develin, Matt LaCosse and Nate Ebner — were kept out after being listed on the injury report heading into the contest.