A look at the Detroit Lions’ Week 11 snap counts against the Jacksonville Jaguars, including how the Lions adjusted to Alex Anzalone’s injury—and what strategies they could use moving forward.
Let’s take a detailed look at the Detroit Lions’ Week 11 snap counts from their 52-6 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars , giving them a 9-1 record on the season, firmly atop the NFL standings.
Like in past dominating performances, the Lions played their starters full gas 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 were forced to play more than others. Let’s take a look at how things shook out.
Offense
Quarterbacks
Jared Goff: 63 (80%)
Hendon Hooker: 16 (20%)
Typically, 63 snaps would be a solid day on offense, but the Lions achieved that through just over three quarters of football. It was nice to see Hooker get some more game action and although his snaps were still a small sample size, you could see some improvements in his comfortability.
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 total rushing yards (196 as a team) as well as four receptions for 74 yards receiving, and three touchdowns. The starters we dominant, per usual, Reynolds ran the ball twice for 21 yards, while Vaki got some very valuable game experience.
In the locker room following the win, Vaki talked about how important getting snaps on offense is for his development. He told me that he feels like he is making consistent progress but that the value he gets from taking game reps is unmatched.
Tight ends
Brock Wright: 65 (82%) — 8 (31%)
James Mitchell: 25 (32%) — 8 (31%)
Shane Zylstra: 19 (24%) — 14 (54%)
Sam LaPorta: Injured, INACTIVE
With no LaPorta, the Lions turned to Wright who caught just one pass, although it went for a touchdown. Mitchell, who was elevated for this game, out-snapped Zylstra, but that was mostly due to their roles with the starting offense, and Mitchell getting 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, exiting in the fourth quarter and making way for Raymond and Robinson. Patrick repped both with starters and reserves, which is why he out-snapped Williams overall, even though he saw fewer snaps than him during 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 only keep the minimum available, and then use game-day roster spots on other positions that contribute more in the third phase of the game.
Unfortunately, that leaves the Lions with three players who could use game reps to develop on the sidelines, while also forcing the Lions to play two of their starters (Sewell and Glasgow) for the entire game.
Defense
EDGE:
Josh Paschal: 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
With Smith making his Lions debut, the Lions threw him right into a starting role opposite Paschal. Both players played a full complement of snaps. While Houston saw his typical amount of situational reps, Onwuzurike saw his snap count plummet.
Onwuzurike did still split his snaps inside (three) and on the edge (eight), but it was surprising to see his opportunities go from 85% of defensive snaps vs. the Texans to just 23% this past Sunday. It’s possible, with Onwuzurike’s injury history and the fact that they have been working him hard, that they scaled him back for long-term rest purposes, preparing to keep him fresh for the playoffs, but that’s not clear at this time.
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 interior snaps, with only a few reps distributed to the reserves. Any reps for Wingo are great for his development, while O’Connor seems to be settling into a slightly new role. He had a tough three games after being added to the 53-man roster but has been playing well of late.
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 6-8 weeks, which could put him on schedule to return for the playoffs. With Derrick Barnes and Jalen Reeves-Maybin also on injured reserve, the Lions’ depth is getting thin at linebacker.
Fortunately, Campbell has been playing nearly every rep at MIKE for several weeks now, which will keep the middle of the defense unchanged, while Rodriguez is returning from injury at the right time and will likely step into the starting lineup at Anzalone’s WILL position (like he did in this game). Rodriguez had been playing in the Lions LB3 role of late, but he is a natural WILL and has started in this role in the past. He should be solid as a starting option.
Beyond Campbell and Rodriguez, the Lions will likely play the LB3 role even more situationally. When 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 must miss two more games until he is eligible to return).
Additionally, the Lions have two other options they can turn to in order to supplement snaps while they wait for the linebacking core to get back to full strength.
First, the Lions can run more subpackage looks, adding a defensive back onto the field instead of an LB3. This doesn’t give the Lions the preferred bulk in the box, but it is likely the best way to get a higher level of talent on the field. The potential return of Emmanuel Moseley could also help the Lions offer more DIME packages.
Second, Ifeatu Melifonwu is also nearing return, and he could be the ideal option to step into the LB3 role because of his range of skills. Not only can he take on the coverage role that was held by Reeves-Maybin, but he is also an elite blitzer, which could open up the role even further.
So while the Lions will surely be hurting without Anzalone, they have several immediate options, as well as creative options available to them 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%)
With Davis breaking his thumb on Thursday, the Lions decided to shut him down at the half with a comfortable 28-6 lead. Vildor took his place in the starting lineup—as has become standard—but he only played 16 snaps before he and Arnold subbed out 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 each making game-changing plays. Branch tattooed another pass catcher, while Kerby secured an NFL-leading seventh interception.
The safeties followed the cornerback’s replacement strategy, only turning to Brandon Joseph in the final series. While Joseph only played three snaps, he was the player responsible for the hit that disrupted a big pass to Brian Thomas Jr. late in the game.
Special teams
Jake Bates: 17 (65%)
Jack Fox: 8 (31%)
Hogan Hatten: 8 (31%)
Fox didn’t punt 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.