Patriots vs Giants snap count report: How New England used its roster in the preseason finale

The New England Patriots capped off an undefeated preseason slate; narrowly edging out the New York Giants by a score of 22-20. The game, which came just two days before the final roster cutdown to 53, saw a bevy of players get an opportunity to play in all three phases in an effort to earn their way to a roster spot.

Who received more playing time than others? Who made a strong final push to make the team? Let’s take a look at this week’s snap count report to find out.

Offense

Total snaps: 60

OL Alex Redmond (50; 85%), OL James Ferentz (50; 85%), OL Justin Herron (50; 85%), TE Devin Asiasi (49; 83%), WR Kristian Wilkerson (48; 81%), WR Isaiah Zuber (44; 75%), OL Ted Karras (41; 69%), RB J.J. Taylor (36; 61%), OL Yodny Cajuste (32; 54%), QB Mac Jones (32; 54%), FB Jakob Johnson (30; 51%), OL Korey Cunningham (18; 31%), OL William Sherman (18; 31%), WR Tre Nixon (18; 31%), QB Brian Hoyer (18; 31%), RB Rhamondre Stevenson (16; 27%), WR Gunner Olszewski (15; 25%), WR Jakobi Meyers (9; 15%), OL Isaiah Wynn (9; 15%), QB Cam Newton (9; 15%), OL Michael Onwenu (9; 15%), WR Nelson Agholor (9; 15%), OL Trent Brown (9; 15%), OL Shaq Mason (9; 15%), TE Jonnu Smith (8; 14%), RB Damien Harris (7; 12%), WR Kendrick Bourne (3; 5%), RB James White (3; 5%)

Like they did in the two weeks prior, the Patriots again opened the game with Cam Newton as their starting quarterback. Though he only played two series, he did play the majority of the first quarter. He shared his snaps (9) with the presumptive starting offensive line except for the sidelined David Andrews, (Isaiah Wynn, Michael Onwenu, Shaq Mason, and Trent Brown) before all of them left the field for Mac Jones to take over with the reserve offense. Jones played a total of 32 snaps. Brian Hoyer again entered the game in the fourth quarter as the third QB getting 18 snaps himself.

At the skill positions, the “top unit” got a short tune up as Jakobi Meyers (9), Nelson Agholor(9), and Kendrick Bourne (3) all seeing limited snaps early on. The running back spot saw a similar share of the workload as last week, where veterans Damien Harris and James White had their nights end early while J.J. Taylor (36) and Rhamondre Stevenson (16) took on the bulk of the snaps.

Up front, the game saw a clear distinction between the starters and backups. The starting offensive line, as noted above, played exclusively with Newton. When they left the field, the backups took over, alongside Jones. Yodny Cajuste looked to be the top swing tackle as he came on with and played exclusively alongside Jones. Other reserve lineman held over to block for Hoyer in the fourth quarter.

Defense

Total snaps: 70

S Adrian Colbert (56; 80%), CB Michael Jackson Sr. (53; 76%), LB Harvey Langi (45; 64%), CB D’Angelo Ross (44; 63%), DL Akeem Spence (43; 61%), DL Tashawn Bower (42; 60%), DL Montravius Adams (41; 59%), CB Shaun Wade (39; 56%), CB Joejuan Williams (38; 54%), DL Henry Anderson (37; 53%), CB Dee Virgin (36; 51%), DL Bill Murray (33; 47%), LB Chase Winovich (30; 43%), LB Ronnie Perkins (26; 37%), LB Ja’Whaun Bentley (23; 33%), LB Kyle Van Noy (19; 27%), CB Justin Bethel (17; 24%), S Kyle Dugger (14; 20%), DB Jalen Mills (14; 20%), LB Josh Uche (14; 20%), S Adrian Phillips (14; 20%), DL Christian Barmore (14; 20%), CB J.C. Jackson (14; 20%), LB Dont’a Hightower (12; 17%), LB Matthew Judon (12; 17%), DL Carl Davis (11; 16%), DL Lawrence Guy (10; 14%), DL Davon Godchaux (8; 11%), DL Deatrich Wise Jr. (7; 10%), S Devin McCourty (4; 6%)

The Patriots gave their reserve players the majority of reps, as the veterans seemed to be phased off the field right around the start of the second quarter.

The majority of the Patriots expected starters all came off the field at the end of the first quarter, keeping with the theme of the offense. Amongst that group way defensive tackle Carl Davis, who’s night ended after just 11 snaps, all of which came alongside established veterans. A promising sign for him as he holds out for a roster spot.

Once again, Chase Winovich, Montravius Adams, and Henry Anderson all played well into the fourth quarter. Their substitution patterns would lead many to believe that their role —if they can earn one— would come situationally. It doesn’t look as if the Patriots will be able to keep more than one of those players around passed cut day.

It was another long night for Joejuan Williams in the secondary; who at 38 snaps, played over half of the teams defensive plays. As things currently stand he projects as a player firmly on the roster. The combination of those two things should help spell out just how thin the Patriots are at the outside cornerback position. Another explainer comes in the form of Shaun Wade, who played in 39 snaps just three days after being acquired by New England.

Special Teams

Total snaps: 25

CB Dee Virgin (17; 68%), CB Michael Jackson Sr. (16; 64%), DL Bill Murray (15; 60%), LB Harvey Langi (15; 60%), S Adrian Colbert (13; 52%), FB Jakob Johnson (13; 52%), RB Rhamondre Stevenson (13; 52%), LB Ronnie Perkins (12; 48%), CB Joejuan Williams (11; 44%), WR Kristian Wilkerson (11; 44%), P Jake Bailey (10; 40%), DL Henry Anderson (10; 40%), S D’Angelo Ross (10; 40%), LS Joe Cardona (7; 28%), K Quinn Nordin (7; 28%), RB J.J. Taylor (7; 28%), CB Shaun Wade (6; 24%), LB Chase Winovich (6; 24%), TE Devin Asiasi (6; 24%), ST Matthew Slater (5; 20%), OL Korey Cunningham (5; 20%), OL Williams Sherman (5; 20%), OL Alex Redmond (5; 20%), OL James Ferentz (5; 20%), OL Justin Herron (5; 20%), LB Brandon King (5; 20%), S Cody Davis (4; 16%), CB Justin Bethel (4; 16%), WR Tre Nixon (4; 16%), S Kyle Dugger (3; 12%), DL Montravius Adams (3; 12%), DL Tashawn Bower (3; 12%), WR Isaiah Zuber (3; 12%), OL Yodny Cajuste (3; 12%), DB Jalen Mills (2; 8%), LB Josh Uche (2; 8%), S Adrian Phillips (2; 8%), K Nick Folk (1; 4%), WR Jakobi Meyers (1; 4%)

The Patriots used a total of 39 players in the kicking game, including seven of them exclusively: specialists Jake Bailey (10), Quinn Nordin (7), Nick Folk (1) and Joe Cardona (7), as well as Brandon King (5), Cody Davis (4) and Matthew Slater (5). Folk kicked the teams first field goal, before giving way to the rook undrafted free agent Nordin.

Did not play

WR N’Keal Harry, RB Brandon Bolden, DB Jonathan Jones, DB Myles Bryant, LB Anfernee Jennings, C David Andrews, TE Matt LaCosse, TE Hunter Henry, DL Nick Thurman

The Patriots had a few big names on their inactives list, including newly acquired tight end Hunter Henry, and veteran defensive back Jonathan Jones. As noted above, David Andrews left a practice earlier in the week which could help explain his absence from the game on Sunday night. Myles Bryant and N’Keal Harry were both knocked out of last weeks game against the Eagles and neither made it back to practice in a full capacity.

Inactive

QB Jarrett Stidham (PUP), CB Stephon Gilmore (PUP), DB Joshuah Bledsoe (NFI), LB Cameron McGrone (NFI), LB Terez Hall (PUP), DT Byron Cowart (PUP)

The Patriots did not make any changes to their reserve lists ahead of Thursday’s game, meaning that the list remained at six players. The four players on injured reserve — OL Marcus Martin, TE Troy Fumagali, TE Dalton Keene, and LB Raekwon McMillan — are not listed here, because their seasons have officially ended.