The Detroit Lions exited Week 1 likely wanting to put their loss to the Green Bay Packers behind them, but with two new coordinators calling the action, a look back at the game’s snap counts can give us a picture of what to expect in the future.
Quarterbacks:
- Jared Goff: 67 snaps (100%)
- Kyle Allen: Did not play (DNP)
The Lions offense was on the field a tick longer than usual, due to Green Bay’s defense forcing Goff to dink-and-dunk his way down the field. This was the same approach the Lions took against Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley’s defense last season, but a stunted run game and the lack of downfield shots left Goff with few answers.
Running backs:
- Jahmyr Gibbs: 44 (66%)
- David Montgomery: 25 (37%)
- Craig Reynolds: 0 (0%) — 11 special teams snaps (46%)
- Jacob Saylors: 0 (0%) — 11 (46%)
- Sione Vaki: Inactive (injury)
Gibbs not only got the start in this game, but he also outsnapped Montgomery nearly 2:1. It’s possible, and maybe even likely, that Gibbs was used more frequently due to the Lions playing from behind, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see this split continue to lean toward Gibbs moving forward.
Gibbs’ ability to contribute both as a runner (nine carries) and receiver (10 receptions) makes him an even more dynamic weapon than we’ve previously seen, so it makes sense for the Lions to lean into that as much as they can.
Wide receivers:
- Jameson Williams: 65 (97%)
- Amon-Ra St. Brown: 63 (94%)
- Kalif Raymond: 44 (66%) — 3 (12%)
- Isaac TeSlaa: 3 (4%) — 9 (38%)
- Dominic Lovett: 0 (0%) — 3 (12%)
Williams outsnapping St. Brown is a bit unusual, but it also illustrates that the Lions plan to use Jamo more than they did in previous seasons. Seeing both WR1 and WR2 on the field for nearly every offensive snap moving forward is probably the standard now.
As for the Lions’ WR3 role, it was expected that the Lions would turn to veteran Raymond early in the season, but TeSlaa showed off his upside with his ridiculous late-game touchdown catch, pointing to the fact that he needs to be used more than just three times a game.
Tight ends:
- Sam LaPorta: 61 (91%)
- Brock Wright: 24 (36%) — 9 (38%)
- Shane Zylstra: 6 (9%) — 10 (42%)
No real surprises here, as the Lions will likely continue to lean on LaPorta for the majority of snaps, with two tight-end sets being deployed on roughly a third of the Lions’ offensive snaps—similarly to what we’ve seen in previous seasons.
Offensive line:
- Penei Sewell: 67 (100%) — 3 (12%)
- Christian Mahogany: 67 (100%) — 3 (12%)
- Tate Ratledge: 67 (100%) — 3 (12%)
- Taylor Decker: 67 (100%)
- Graham Glasgow: 67 (100%)
- Kayode Awosika: 0 (0%) — 3 (12%)
- Giovanni Manu: 0 (0%) — 3 (12%)
- Kingsley Eguakun: 0 (0%) — 3 (12%)
The Lions’ best five saw the field 100% of the time in this game, and while the interior is still working through their learning curve, they should improve with time on task.
Defensive end:
- Aidan Hutchinson: 46 (96%) — 1 (4%)
- Marcus Davenport: 33 (69%) – 6 (25%)
- Pat O’Connor: 14 (29%) — 17 (71%)
- Al-Quadin Muhammad: 7 (15%) — 3 (12%)
- Tyrus Wheat: Inactive
Hutchinson saw the field for the first time in nine months, and he almost didn’t leave it, only resting for two defensive snaps the entire game. Davenport and O’Connor split the opposite edge snaps, with Davenport playing a traditional edge role and O’Connor playing mostly at the 4i or defensive end role (13 snaps), with just one snap on the interior defensive line (per PFF). Muhammad actually saw more interior work than O’Connor, as he saw four of his snaps inside and only three in an edge role.
Defensive tackle:
- DJ Reader: 37 (77%) — 6 (25%)
- Tyleik Williams: 32 (67%) — 1 (4%)
- Roy Lopez: 17 (35%) — 5 (21%)
- Tyler Lacy: DNP
- Mekhi Wingo: Inactive
- Chris Smith: Inactive
Reader, despite being one of the oldest players on the roster, continues to rep a high percentage of defensive snaps, but it’s fair to wonder if his snap counts will hover around this range even when offenses take more snaps, thus lowering his overall percentage. The Lions’ first-round pick, Williams, saw just over two-thirds of the team’s defensive snaps, and expectations are that those numbers should increase as he gains more experience. Lopez backed up both interior spots, and as previously mentioned, a few reserve edge rushers saw snaps inside as well.
Linebacker:
- Jack Campbell: 48 (100%) — 1 (4%)
- Alex Anzalone: 48 (100%) — 1 (4%)
- Derrick Barnes: 43 (90%) — 12 (50%)
- Grant Stuard: 0 (0%) — 20 (83%)
- Anthony Pittman: 0 (0%) — 20 (83%)
- Zach Cunningham: 0 (0%) — 13 (54%)
- Trevor Nowaske: Inactive (injury)
The Packers ran the ball 25 times in this game, compared to 22 dropbacks, and the Lions countered that approach by staying in their base three-linebacker defense for 90% of defensive snaps. While Campbell and Anzalone will typically see every snap, Barnes has typically been the weekly matchup wildcard. However, the Lions just gave him a big contract this offseason for a reason, and with him showing an expanded role (more coverage opportunities), it’s possible the Lions will continue to heavily deploy their base defense.
Cornerback:
- D.J. Reed: 48 (100%) — 1 (4%)
- Amik Robertson: 31 (65%)
- Terrion Arnold: 23 (48%) — 4 (17%)
- Khalil Dorsey: 3 (6%) — 13 (54%)
- Rock Ya-Sin: 2 (4%) — 12 (50%)
- Avonte Maddox: 0 (0%) — 10 (42%)
An injury to Arnold forced the Lions to shift their cornerbacks around in this game. For the most part, that meant Robertson shifted outside and played opposite Reed, but in post-Arnold-injury nickel sets, the Lions would kick Robertson back inside and asked Ya-Sin or Dorsey to give them snaps outside.
Safety:
- Brian Branch: 48 (100%) — 7 (29%)
- Kerby Joseph: 48 (100%) — 7 (29%)
- Daniel Thomas: 0 (0%) — 11 (46%)
- Thomas Harper: Inactive
This appears to be the preferred approach to safety for the Lions, as they have fully delegated nickel duties to the cornerbacks group. With Ya-Sin and Maddox being able to contribute at safety in a pinch, the Lions can take their time acclimating Thomas and Harper to their scheme.
Specialists:
- Jake Bates: 7 (29%)
- Jack Fox: 6 (25%)
- Hogan Hatten: 6 (25%)
Bates connected on both his field goal attempts, while Fox saw his teammates incur three penalties on his three punts, forcing him to re-kick or re-set twice.
0 CommentsSee More:
