A look at the Detroit Lions’ Week 12 snap counts against the Indianapolis Colts, including …
Let’s take a detailed look at the Detroit Lions’ Week 12 snap counts from their 24-6 win over the Indianapolis Colts. Let’s take a look at how things shook out.
Offense
Quarterbacks
Jared Goff: 72 (100%)
Hendon Hooker: 0 (0%)
Outside of a couple of missed throws when targeting Sam LaPorta, and a couple of sacks where he held onto the ball too long, Goff had another solid day at the office. The Lions’ offense had 72 offensive snaps and dominated the time of possession, holding the ball for 37 minutes, compared to the Colts’ 23.
Running backs
Jahmyr Gibbs: 48 (67%)
David Montgomery: 21 (29%)
Craig Reynolds: 3 (4%) — 18 special teams snaps (75%)
Sione Vaki: 1 (1%) — 20 (83%)
The Lions were rolling along in their traditional split of snaps between Gibbs and Montgomery, but a shoulder injury to Montgomery pulled him from the game early, leading to a disproportional distribution of snaps. Reynolds got on the field during the final series, spelling Gibbs, while Vaki saw the field early in the second half, split out wide—which smells like they’re setting something up for later.
Tight ends
Sam LaPorta: 67 (93%)
Brock Wright: 34 (47%) — 4 (17%)
Shane Zylstra: 6 (8%) — 17 (71%)
A healthy LaPorta played all but five offensive snaps, but as mentioned earlier, he still seems to be looking for his groove with Goff. Wright’s numbers dropped back down to normal, while Zylstra only got on the field a couple of times.
Wide receivers
Amon-Ra St. Brown: 68 (94%) — 3 (12%)
Jameson Williams: 60 (83%)
Tim Patrick: 36 (50%)
Kalif Raymond: 10 (14%) — 6 (25%)
Allen Robinson: 4 (6%)
A very traditional distribution of snaps amongst the receiver group, with St. Brown and Williams leading the way, while Patrick made the most of his snaps this week and was rewarded with four receptions for 55 yards, his largest output as a Lion.
Raymond’s injury looks like it could cost him some time, so that means more opportunities for Robinson and a likely roster elevation of a practice squad receiver in the near future. Tom Kennedy has been the preferred option on offense in the past but has already used two of his three roster elevations. Maurice Alexander’s special teams prowess could lead to him getting an opportunity.
Offensive line
Penei Sewell: 72 (100%) — 4 (17 %)
Graham Glasgow: 72 (100%) — 4 (17 %)
Kevin Zeitler: 72 (100%) — 4 (17 %)
Frank Ragnow: 72 (100%)
Taylor Decker: 58 (81%)
Dan Skipper: 15 (21%) — 4 (17%)
Michael Niese: 1 (1%) — 4 (17%)
Christian Mahogany: 0 (0%) — 4 (17%)
Kayode Awosika: INACTIVE
Colby Sorsdal: INACTIVE
Giovanni Manu: INACTIVE
Skipper was on the field as a sixth-offensive lineman for the second time against the Colts when Decker was injured, and a little-known NFL rule led to a unique offensive line formation for the Lions . Because Skipper had reported as eligible, he was not allowed to step into Decker’s ineligible spot at left tackle on the following play because of the rule, and as a result, Glasgow slid over to left tackle and Niese played his one snap at left guard. After sitting out the one play, Skipper was allowed to fill in for Decker at left tackle and Glasgow shifted back to his traditional guard position.
Decker was able to return to action after a brief break, but with the score being lopsided, the Lions played it safe and pulled him late, reinserting Skipper in at left tackle to close out the game.
Defense
EDGE:
Josh Paschal: 49 (89%)
Za’Darius Smith: 37 (67%)
Levi Onwuzurike: 22 (40%) — 2 (8%)
James Houston: 4 (7%) — 14 (58%)
Al-Quadin Muhammad: INACTIVE
Paschal continues to put up significant snaps on game days and even took a few snaps inside this week. Smith is seeing his snaps rise as he acclimates, and he also took five snaps inside the tackle box. After a light day in Week 11, Onwuzurike saw his snaps jump back up, but he continues to rep more on the edge (18) than inside (four). Houston’s numbers declined in this game as the other three edge players each saw increases.
DT:
Alim McNeill: 46 (84%) — 2 (8%)
DJ Reader: 33 (60%) — 1 (4%)
Pat O’Connor: 9 (16%) — 10 (42%)
Mekhi Wingo: 7 (13%) — 2 (8%)
Brodric Martin: INACTIVE
For the amount of snaps McNeill plays, it’s remarkable how impactful he continues to be on a down-to-down basis. Reader looked energized, despite his workload also increasing for this game. O’Connor continues to rep exclusively inside, while Wingo only saw three snaps inside, with the other four coming on the edge.
Linebackers
Jack Campbell: 55 (100%) — 4 (17%)
Malcolm Rodriguez: 49 (89%)
Trevor Nowaske: 21 (38%) — 20 (83%)
David Long: 13 (24%) — 5 (21%)
Ezekiel Turner: 11 (20%) — 20 (83%)
Ben Niemann: 11 (20%) — 14 (58%)
With the loss of Alex Anzalone, the Lions expected to move Rodriguez into his role, and while Rodriguez certainly absorbed the vacated snaps, the Lions were creative in how they used their depth.
Campbell played every snap at the MIKE but that was the only constant amongst the linebackers. Rodriguez played a bunch of snaps at the WILL but he also took snaps at the SAM, which opened the door for Long and Turner to see WILL snaps. Beyond Rodriguez’s usage at SAM, Nowaske was primarily the Lions’ option, with Niemann also getting some run there.
But things got even more player-detailed than that, as each appeared to have specific roles. Long played a traditional WILL when Rodriguez was in a traditional SAM role, Turner played a coverage WILL role that also saw him blitz, while Nowaske and Niemann played both off the ball and on the line of scrimmage.
Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn’s ability to adjust his defense to his players’ skill sets, while not veering away from the traditional core principles is a huge feather in his cap, and speaks to why the defense has been so good this season.
Cornerbacks
Kindle Vildor: 55 (100%) — 2 (8%)
Carlton Davis: 49 (89%)
Amik Robertson: 18 (33%)
Khalil Dorsey: 6 (11%) — 20 (83%)
Emmanuel Moseley: 0 (0%) — 15 (62%)
Terrion Arnold: INJURED
— INACTIVE
After some solid play throughout the year, Vildor had a rough time in his first start as an injury replacement for Arnold. He was routinely left on an island and picked on by the Colts offense. He’s still quality depth on the roster, but he’ll want to move past this game quickly. That being said, if Arnold is not ready to play this week, or if Davis’ injury lingers, the Lions may need to turn to Vildor once again on a short week.
Davis injured his knee in the second half but was seen on the exercise bike, suggesting he was working to return to the field. He told the media he would know more about his status for this Thursday’s game after getting some more medical checks on Monday. He was replaced by Dorsey for the six snaps that he missed.
After missing a year and a half of game action—save a few snaps last season—Mosely was able to return to the playing field and the Lions took it slow by only having him contribute on special teams. With another week of acclimation under his belt, it’ll be interesting to see if he gets some snaps at corner this week, especially if the Lions are dealing with an injury or two.
Safety
Kerby Joseph: 55 (100%) — 2 (8%)
Brian Branch: 55 (100%)
Brandon Joseph: 0 (0%) — 6 (25%)
Loren Strickland: 0 (0%) — 9 (38%)
Not much to see here as the Lions rolled with their two studs for the entire game.
Special teams
Jake Bates: 9 (38%)
Jack Fox: 8 (33%)
Hogan Hatten: 8 (33%)
The Lions’ special teamers continue to produce when called up. Fox was flipping fields and Bates hit from over 50+ yards once again.