Lions vs. Seahawks Snap Counts: Jameson Williams' role continues to expand

Let's take a closer look Detroit Lions The Week 6 snap against the Dallas Cowboys counts. What's notable for this game is that due to the lopsided score (47-9), the Lions' offense played their starters about 57 snaps and their backups 11 snaps, while the defense began a heavier reserve rotation with about 51 snaps.

attack

Quarterbacks

Jared Goff: 57 (84%)
Hendon Hooker: 11 (16%)

Jared Goff's back-to-back dominant performances led to him getting some early rest and a game ball – which he promptly passed on to coach Dan Campbell.

Hendon Hooker got his feet wet in his first career NFL game, but threw the ball only twice in his 11 snaps and completed just one pass, a 19-yarder to Kalif Raymond.

Running backs

Jahmyr Gibbs: 37 (54%)
David Montgomery: 21 (31%)
Craig Reynolds: 11 (16%) – 16 special teams snaps (57%)
Sione Vaki: 1 (1%) – 16 (57%)

Gibbs played his normal number of snaps, while the team opted to hand Montgomery's snaps to Reynolds and Vaki at the end of the game. Reynolds converted six touches into 21 yards, while Vaki ran for 5 yards on his only carry.

Tight ends

Sam LaPorta: 42 (62%)
Brock Wright: 34 (50%) – 13 (46%)
Parker Hesse: 23 (34%) – 13 (46%)

Wright averaged about his average snap count this year, while LaPorta saw his night end early and he passed his snaps to Hesse at the end of the game. The Lions used the H-back a little more than in previous weeks — he's averaging eight offensive snaps per game — but the bulk of his work came late in the game.

Wide receiver

Jameson Williams: 51 (75%)
Amon-Ra St. Brown: 43 (63%)
Tim Patrick: 30 (44%)
Caliph Raymond: 24 (35%) – 6 (21%)
Allen Robinson: 9 (13%)
Isaiah Williams: INACTIVE

This was the first time this season that St. Brown saw fewer than 89% of the offensive snaps in a game because the Lions, like Montgomery and LaPorta, played it safe with him. Williams saw his typical snap counts and Raymond had a sensational game (six scores, four catches for 73 yards) and received an overall grade of 90.9 from PFF. Patrick has settled into around 30 offensive snaps per game, while Robinson has seen an increase in his snaps after only seeing a total of two offensive snaps in the Lions' previous games.

Offensive line

Taylor Decker: 68 (100%)
Penei Sewell: 68 (100%) – 9 (32%)
Graham Glasgow: 68 (100%) – 8 (29%)
Kevin Zeitler: 57 (84%) – 9 (32%)
Frank Ragnow: 57 (84%) – 1 (4%)
Kayode Awosika: 14 (21%) – 9 (32%)
Dan Skipper: 11 (16%) – 9 (32%)
Michael Niese: 11 (16%) – 9 (32%)
Colby Sorsdal: INACTIVE
Giovanni Manu: INACTIVE

The Lions used offensive linemen very frequently. They leaned on an extra lineman with double-digit times in this game and even topped the NFL by putting seven on the field at once and making Decker and Skipper eligible to play. Skipper was also at wide receiver, and in one final NFL troll, they had Skipper declare himself suited up for the Lions' winning formation and kneel on the final play of the game.

Additionally, the Lions also threw a pass to Decker and attempted a hook-and-ladder play where St. Brown passed to Sewell. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson was deep in his bag of tricks

defense

EDGE:

Levi Onwuzurike: 50 (72%) – 3 (11%)
Josh Paschal: 41 (59%)
Isaac Ukwu: 36 (52%) – 2 (7%)
Aidan Hutchinson: 32 (46%)
James Houston: INACTIVE

The big player news from this game revolves around the potentially season-ending injury to Aidan Hutchinson. Hutchinson broke his fibula and tibia against the Cowboys and required emergency surgery. While people close to Hutchinson aren't ruling out a return to the field, Campbell noted that recovery time would take four to six months (though he left the door open) and the Lions will be looking for players to take his snaps. Their internal options will get the first chances to earn snaps, like Ukwu, Onwuzurike and Houston, as well as train roster edge rushers, but it wouldn't be surprising to see the Lions fare well outside of the organizations.

When Hutchinson was forced out of the game, Ukwu stepped in and tried to seize his moment. The Lions say they're in no rush to figure out how to replace Hutchinson, but they're keeping their options open, and that's what general manager Brad Holmes prepares for every season.

DT:

Alim McNeill: 36 (52%) – 3 (11%)
Mekhi Wingo: 26 (38%) – 3 (11%)
DJ Readers: 23 (33%)
Kyle Peko: 5 (7%) – 1 (4%)

Like the offensive players, McNeill and Reader received the veteran treatment at the end of the game, reducing their snaps in favor of Wingo and Onwuzurike – who continues to split time inside and out. Peko injured his chest early in the game and was out for the rest of the day.

Overall, this group saw lower snap counts overall as the Lions opted for more nickel packages to balance out the Cowboys' three-wide receiver sets.

Linebackers

Alex Anzalone: ​​51 (74%)
Jack Campbell: 48 (70%)
Malcolm Rodriguez: 33 (48%) – 19 (68%)
Trevor Nowaske: 29 (42%) – 19% (68%)
Jalen Reeves-Maybin: 14 (20%) – 19 (68%)
Ben Niemann: 0 (0%) – 16 (57%)

Anzalone, who typically plays every defensive snap, was also treated as a veteran, while Campbell saw a slight decline from his weekly average. Those decisions led to an increase in opportunities for Rodriguez — who has steadily increased his snaps since Derrick Barnes' injury — and Nowaske. Nowaske also likely absorbed Niemann's snaps because he didn't see the field on Sunday, a decision that likely wasn't made until the bye week. Nowaske shined in the Lions' SAM role and it's fair to wonder if the team will continue to give him opportunities as he registered a sack against the Cowboys.

Cornerbacks

Amik Robertson: 57 (83%)
Terrion Arnold: 51 (74%)
Carlton Davis: 37 (54%)
Kindle Vildor: 20 (29%) – 15 (54%)
Ennis Rakestraw: 17 (25%) – 12 (43%)
Khalil Dorsey: 15 (22%) – 19 (68%)

Davis left the game early and was evaluated for a concussion after his helmet came off and he was kicked in the head by a teammate attempting to make a tackle. According to the Lions (via Justin Rogers), Davis passed the concussion protocol and was eligible to return to the game, but the Lions erred on the side of caution.

He was replaced by Vildor and Rakestraw. Dorsey found the field later in the game when the Lions pulled Arnold after holding an insurmountable lead.

Robertson, the Lions' starting nickel corner, had completed 50% of defensive snaps just once before the bye as the Lions stayed in their 4-3 base most of the time. But any significant change in staffing levels after a bye week is something to watch out for. Was this just an opponent-specific game plan or does this indicate the Lions are changing their philosophy?

Security

Kerby Joseph: 67 (97%) – 13 (46%)
Brian Branch: 53 (77%)
Brandon Joseph: 18 (26%) – 9 (32%)
Loren Strickland: INACTIVE

The Lions decided to only play three safeties in this game. When it came time to rest their starters, it was Branch who took a break while Kerby remained on the field with Brandon Joseph.

Branch and Kerby have been absolutely sensational this season and are starting to receive recognition for their hard work. In that game alone, Branch had six tackles, two interceptions, two pass breakups, a forced fumble and a quarterback hit. Not to be outdone, Kerby secured his fourth interception of the season (all in the end zone), which is second in the NFL to date.

Special teams

Jake Bates: 19 (68%)
Jack Fox: 9 (32%)
Hogan Hatten: 9 (32%)

Jake Bates made 4 of 4 field goals, successfully connecting from 40, 48, 33 and 33 yards, while also making all five of his extra point attempts. His 17 points scored were the most by a kicker since Jason Hanson scored 19 points in 1999.

Jack Fox did not punt in this game. So that was fun.