Lions vs. Jaguars snap counts: How Lions adjusted after Anzalone injury

Let’s take a detailed look at the Detroit Lions Week 11 counts from their 52-6 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, which gave them a 9-1 record for the season, firmly atop the NFL standings.

As in previous dominant performances, the Lions played their starters flat out until the fourth quarter, then turned to their backups to run out the clock. But because the NFL only allows a limited number of players to dress on game day, some starters had to play more than others. Let’s see how things turned out.

Offence

Quarterbacks

Jared Goff: 63 (80%)
Hendon Hooker: 16 (20%)

Normally, 63 snaps would be a solid day on offense, but the Lions accomplished that in just over three-quarters of football. It was nice to see Hooker get a little more play action and while his snaps were still a small sample size, you could see some improvements in his comfort.

Running backs

Jahmyr Gibbs: 33 (42%)
David Montgomery: 31 (39%)
Sione Vaki: 10 (13%) — 15 special teams snaps (58%)
Craig Reynolds: 6 (8%) — 17 (65%)

As a group, the Lions running backs accounted for 174 rushing yards (196 as a team), as well as four receptions for 74 receiving yards and three touchdowns. The starters we dominated, as usual, Reynolds ran the ball twice for 21 meters, while Vaki gained some very valuable playing experience.

In the locker room after the win, Vaki talked about how important getting attacks is for his development. He told me that he feels like he’s making consistent progress, but the value he gets from taking game replays is second to none.

Tight ends

Brock Wright: 65 (82%) – 8 (31%)
James Mitchell: 25 (32%) — 8 (31%)
Shane Zylstra: 19 (24%) — 14 (54%)
Sam LaPorta: Injured, INACTIVE

Without LaPorta, the Lions turned to Wright, who caught just one pass, although it was a touchdown. Mitchell, who was elevated for this game, beat Zylstra, but that was mainly due to their role in the starting attack, and Mitchell had more opportunities when the reserves were on the field.

Wide receivers

Amon-Ra St. Brown: 63 (80%)
Tim Patrick: 56 (65%)
Jameson Williams: 51 (65%)
Kalif Raymond: 25 (32%) — 7 (27%)
Allen Robinson: 11 (14%)

St. Brown and Williams followed the starter’s snaps, leaving in the fourth quarter and giving way to Raymond and Robinson. Patrick performed with both starters and reserves, which is why he beat Williams overall, even though he saw fewer snaps than him through the first three quarters of the game.

Offensive line

Penei Sewell: 79 (100%) — 8 (31%)
Graham Glasgow: 79 (100%) — 8 (31%)
Kevin Zeitler: 63 (80%) — 8 (31%)
Taylor Decker: 63 (80%)
Frank Ragnow: 63 (80%)
Dan Skipper: 16 (20%) — 8 (31%)
Kayode Awosika: 16 (20%) — 8 (31%)
Michael Niese: 16 (20%) — 8 (31%)
Colby Sorsdal: INACTIVE
Giovanni Manu: INACTIVE
Christian Mahogany: INACTIVE

Despite having 11 offensive linemen on their 53-man roster, the Lions, like most NFL teams, only keep eight available on game day. Offensive linemen only play on special teams during field goals/extra points, so teams keep only the minimum available, then use game day roster spots at other positions that contribute more in the third phase of the game.

Unfortunately, that leaves the Lions with three players who can use set pieces to develop on the sidelines, while also forcing the Lions to play two of their starters (Sewell and Glasgow) the entire game.

Defense

EDGE:

Josh Paschalis: 42 (88%) — 1 (4%)
Za’Darius Smith: 37 (77%) — 1 (4%)
James Houston: 15 (31%) — 15 (58%)
Levi Onwuzurike: 11 (23%) — 2 (8%)
Al-Quadin Muhammad: INACTIVE

When Smith made his Lions debut, the Lions threw him straight into a starting role opposite Paschal. Both players played a full complement of snaps. While Houston saw his typical number of situational reps, Onwuzurike saw his rushing numbers plummet.

Onwuzurike still split his snaps inside (three) and on the perimeter (eight), but it was surprising to see his opportunities go from 85% of defensive snaps against the Texans to just 23% last Sunday. It’s possible, given Onwuzurike’s injury history and the fact that they’ve been working hard on him, that they’ve brought him back for extended rest in preparation to keep him fresh for the playoffs, but that’s not clear at this point .

DT:

Alim McNeill: 40 (83%) — 3 (12%)
DJ reader: 28 (58%) — 1 (4%)
Pat O’Connor: 7 (15%) — 13 (50%)
Mekhi Wingo: 5 (10%) — 2 (8%)

McNeill and Reader continue to dominate the interior pictures, with only a few reps distributed among the reserves. Any reps for Wingo will be good for his development, while O’Connor appears to be settling into a somewhat new role. He had three rough games after being added to the 53-man roster, but has been playing well lately.

Linebackers

Jack Campbell: 45 (94%) — 1 (4%)
Malcolm Rodriguez: 43 (90%) – 11 (43%)
Alex Anzalone: ​​20 (42%) – 1 (4%) – INJURED
Trevor Nowaske: 9 (19%) — 17 (65%)
Ben Niemann: 6 (12%) — 13 (50%)
Ezekiel Turner: 4 (8%) — 17 (65%)

After breaking his forearm, Anzalone will reportedly miss the next six to eight weeks, which could put him on track to return for the playoffs. With Derrick Barnes and Jalen Reeves-Maybin also on injured reserve, the Lions’ depth at linebacker continues to shrink.

Fortunately, Campbell has been playing almost every rep at MIKE for several weeks now, leaving the center of the defense unchanged, while Rodriguez returns from injury at the right time and will likely step into the starting lineup at Anzalone’s WILL position (as he did in this game). Rodriguez has played in the role of Lions LB3 lately, but he is a natural WILL and has started in this role in the past. He should be solid as a starting option.

Besides Campbell and Rodriguez, the Lions will likely play the LB3 role even more situationally. If they need a box SAM, Nowaske is the most likely candidate, while Niemann should step into Rodriguez’s off-the-ball SAM role. Turner will give the Lions a pass coverage option from the LB3 spot until Reeves-Maybin returns from injury (he still has two more games to miss until he is eligible to return).

Additionally, the Lions have two other options they can tap into to supplement snaps while they wait for the linebacking core to return to full strength.

First, the Lions can run more sub-package looks, adding a defensive back on the field instead of an LB3. This doesn’t give the Lions preferred size in the box, but it’s probably the best way to get more talent on the field. The potential return of Emmanuel Moseley could also help the Lions offer more DIME packages.

Secondly, Ifeato Melifonwu is also nearing his return, and he could be the ideal option to step into the LB3 role due to his range of skills. Not only can he fill the reporting role that Reeves-Maybin filled, but he is also an elite blitzer, which could expand the role even further.

So while the Lions will certainly be hurting without Anzalone, they have several immediate options, as well as creative ones, at their disposal until the group can get healthy.

Cornerbacks

Terrion Arnold: 45 (94%) — 1 (4%)
Carlton Davis: 29 (60%) — 1 (4%)
Amik Robertson: 24 (50%)
Kindle Vildor: 16 (33%) — 6 (23%)
Khalil Dorsey: 3 (6%) — 17 (65%)
Ennis Rakestraw: 3 (6%) — 13 (50%)

When Davis broke his thumb on Thursday, the Lions decided to take him out at halftime with a commanding 28-6 lead. Vildor took his place in the starting lineup – as has become standard – but he played just 16 snaps before he and Arnold came in for Dorsey and Rakestraw.

Safety

Kerby Joseph: 48 (100%) — 3 (12%)
Brian branch: 45 (94%)
Brandon Joseph: 3 (6%) — 4 (15%)
Loren Strickland: INACTIVE

Kerby and Branch remain the best safety tandem in the NFL, with both making game-changing plays. Branch tattooed another pass catcher, while Kerby secured a seventh interception in the NFL.

The safeties followed the cornerback substitution strategy, turning only to Brandon Joseph on the final series. Although Joseph only played three snaps, he was the player responsible for the hit that hit a big pass to Brian Thomas Jr. late in the game. disturbed.

Special teams

Jake Bates: 17 (65%)
Jack Fox: 8 (31%)
Hogan Hatten: 8 (31%)

Fox didn’t kick in this game, Bates was seven of seven on extra points, while also successfully making his only field goal attempt. A relatively easy day at the office.