Eagles-Giants snap counts: Jahan Dotson makes the most of his increased opportunity

Playing time analysis.

The official snap counts from the Philadelphia Eagles’ Week 18 home win over the New York Giants are in! Let’s take a look and run through some analysis.

OFFENSE

• Darian Kinnard played the entire game at right tackle, Fred Johnson played the entire game at left tackle, Jack Driscoll played the entire game at right guard, and Nick Gates played the entire game at center.
• Johnny Wilson led all skill players in playing time but his five targets resulted in just five catches for 24 yards.
• Jahan Dotson took advantage of increased opportunity to lead the Eagles with 11 targets for seven receptions and 94 yards. He looked good. Dotson also fielded punts but did not actually return any.
• Aside from Dallas Goedert playing early on to knock some rust off, E.J. Jenkins was the top tight end. He caught his first career touchdown on his sole target of the game. Mostly served as a blocker otherwise.
• Ainias Smith also caught his first career TD. His six targets resulted in four catches for 35 yards and the one score.
• Tyler Steen made the start at left guard before giving way to rookie Trevor Keegan in the second half.
• Kenny Gainwell made the start at running back and then re-entered the game later in the fourth quarter. His 13 total touches only resulted in 23 yards. Not very efficient.
• Grant Calcaterra saw limited playing time with the Eagles wanting to somewhat preserve their TE2.

DEFENSE

• Avonte Maddox started at safety and shifted to the slot in nickel packages.
• Bryce Huff played a lot of snaps. Vic Fangio had previously described him as “rusty” so the Eagles seemingly wanted to get him some conditioning work. Pro Football Focus credited Huff tied for a team-high five pressures generated in this game, all in the form of subjective “hurries.”
• Moro Ojomo was also credited with five pressures generated; one quarterback hit and four hurries. If the Eagles aren’t able to re-sign Milton Williams, Ojomo could see an increased role as part of his replacement.
• Sydney Brown did not officially start this game with Maddox and Tristin McCollum ahead of him at safety. He was up and down. Made some good plays in coverage but had some bad missed tackles.
• Isaiah Rodgers got the start and eventually gave way to Eli Ricks, who saw his first defensive snaps this season.
• Charles Harris was temporarily elevated from the practice squad to help the Eagles fill out edge rusher snaps in this game.
• Jordan Davis logged his sixth-highest snap count percentage this season.
• Jalyx Hunt not playing too much seems like a good sign for how the Eagles value him and plan to use him in the playoffs.

SPECIAL TEAMS

• Dallas Gant only played on special teams after being temporarily elevated from the practice squad. He was the only off-ball linebacker backup behind starters Oren Burks and Jeremiah Trotter Jr.
• Braden Mann went back to handling kickoff duty. Feels like the Eagles should just keep Jake Elliott since Mann really struggled back in Week 16 and then Elliott did a nice job in Week 17.

DID NOT PLAY

INACTIVE: Jalen Hurts, Darius Slay, DeVonta Smith, A.J. Brown, Nakobe Dean, Saquon Barkley, Zack Baun, Lane Johnson, Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Jalen Carter

ACTIVE: Nolan Smith, Kenny Pickett, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Ian Book, Josh Sweat, Quinyon Mitchell, Reed Blankenship, Cooper DeJean, Cam Jurgens, Mekhi Becton

• The Eagles rested their starters in a relatively meaningless game.