Patriots vs Eagles snap counts: How New England used its players in the 35-0 preseason victory

Related: Instant analysis from Patriots’ 35-0 preseason win over Eagles

Beating the Philadelphia Eagles with a final score of 35-0 to cap their joint practice week together, the New England Patriots remain undefeated two games into their preseason slate. The game, which came just two days after the first roster cutdown day, saw plenty of players get an opportunity in all three phases.

Who received more than those than others? Let’s take a look at this week’s snap count report to find out.

Offense

Total snaps: 80

OL Marcus Martin (52; 66%), TE Devin Asiasi (52; 66%), G Alex Redmond (42; 53%), OL Korey Cunningham (42; 53%), OT Yodny Cajuste (42; 53%), OL Ted Karras (42; 53%), QB Mac Jones (42; 53%), FB Jakob Johnson (39; 49%), WR Kristian Wilkerson (39; 49%), WR Devin Ross (34; 43%), WR Kendrick Bourne (31; 39%), C James Ferentz (30; 38%), OT Justin Herron (29; 37%), WR Gunner Olszewski (28; 35%), WR N’Keal Harry (28; 35%), RB J.J. Taylor (26; 33%), WR Isaiah Zuber (25; 32%), RB Rhamondre Stevenson (25; 32%),OT R.J. Prince (20; 25%), G William Sherman (20; 25%), QB Brian Hoyer (20; 25%), QB Cam Newton (17; 22%), C David Andrews (17; 22%), OT Isaiah Wynn (17; 22%), OT Trent Brown (17; 22%), G Shaq Mason (17; 22%), G Michael Onwenu (17; 22%), RB Sony Michel (17; 22%), WR Jakobi Meyers (15; 19%), WR Nelson Agholor (14; 18%), RB Damien Harris (8; 10%), RB James White (5; 6%)

Like they did last week against the Washington Football Team, the Patriots again opened the game with Cam Newton as their starting quarterback. The incumbent was on the field for three total series and 17 snaps. He shared those with the starting offensive line before all of them left the field after a Newton touchdown pass to Jakobi Meyers in the late first quarter. Mac Jones took over and played the next four drives for a grand total of 42 snaps. Brian Hoyer again entered the game late as the third QB.

At the skill positions, Devin Asiasi stands out for obvious reasons: the only tight end active after injuries suffered by Jonnu Smith, Hunter Henry, Matt LaCosse and Troy Fumagalli, Asiasi was on the field for 52 of a possible 80 snaps. He was not the only player aligning in a tight end position, though, as the team turned to offensive tackle Justin Herron as a part-time in-line blocker as well. At the running back and wide receiver spots, meanwhile, the Patriots used a healthy rotation; they also lost N’Keal Harry to an apparent shoulder injury.

Up front, the game saw a clear distinction between the starters and backups. The starting offensive line, as noted above, played exclusively with Cam Newton after seeing one series with Mac Jones last week. When they left the field, the backups took over. New England did see the return of two players previously absent, along the way: center David Andrews and fellow interior lineman Ted Karras were back after sitting out the game versus Washington. Andrews looked good in his 17 snaps, while Karras needs to shake the rust off a bit more.

Defense

Total snaps: 53

S Malik Gant (31; 58%), CB Michael Jackson Sr. (31; 58%), LB Cassh Maluia (31; 58%), LB Harvey Langi (31; 58%), S Adrian Colbert (31; 58%), CB D’Angelo Ross (28; 53%), CB Joejuan Williams (28; 53%), LB Ronnie Perkins (27; 51%), DT Akeem Spence (26; 49%), DT Christian Barmore (23; 43%), DB Jalen Mills (22; 42%), CB J.C. Jackson (22; 42%), LB Ja’Whaun Bentley (21; 40%), S Kyle Dugger (20; 38%), LB Chase Winovich (19; 36%), DT Bill Murray (19; 36%), DT Montravius Adams (17; 32%), S Adrian Phillips (16; 30%), CB Dee Virgin (15; 28%), DT Carl Davis (15; 28%), LB Kyle Van Noy (15; 28%), DT Nick Thurman (13; 25%), DE Henry Anderson (12; 23%), LB Tashawn Bower (12; 23%), LB Matthew Judon (10; 19%), S Devin McCourty (10; 19%), DE Deatrich Wise Jr. (9; 17%), LB Dont’a Hightower (9; 17%), CB Justin Bethel (7; 13%), DT Davon Godchaux (7; 13%), LB Josh Uche (6; 11%)

The Patriots did not have two of their starting cornerbacks available, which in turn led to some personnel shuffling in the secondary. J.C. Jackson kept the top spot on the outside, while Jalen Mills — the starter opposite Jackson last week — was moved more to the slot. Joejuan Williams, meanwhile, saw plenty of action as a perimeter corner alongside them. The Patriots also turned to a player who hardly ever saw any defensive action during his first one-and-half seasons with the club: core special teamer Justin Bethel played 7 snaps.

The linebacker group was again led by veteran trio Dont’a Hightower, Matthew Judon and Kyle Van Noy, who all played a limited number of snaps. The same also is true for Josh Uche, albeit for different reasons: the second-year man participated in only 6 snaps after suffering an apparent injury in the second quarter. While Uche was unable to finish the game, the Patriots did see the return of fellow outside linebacker Chase Winovich. The third-year man started the summer on the PUP list, but he was back to play 19 snaps on Thursday.

Along the defensive line, New England elected to give Christian Barmore the start. The second-round rookie, who himself has struggled with some injuries this summer and was held out of the preseason opener, ended up playing a total of 23 snaps. He was not the only young defensive tackle to be given plenty of opportunities with the starter-level players: former rookie free agent Bill Murray played 19 snaps as well, including some of them during the early portions of the game.

Special Teams

Total snaps: 20

FB Jakob Johnson (14; 70%), P Jake Bailey (12; 60%), CB Dee Virgin (10; 50%), S Malik Gant (8; 40%), CB Michael Jackson Sr. (8; 40%), LB Cassh Maluia (8; 40%), CB D’Angelo Ross (8; 40%), K Quinn Nordin (8; 40%), LB Harvey Langi (7; 35%), LS Brian Khoury (7; 35%), OL Marcus Martin (6; 30%), G Alex Redmond (6; 30%), OL Korey Cunningham (6; 30%), OT Yodny Cajuste (6; 30%), WR Gunner Olszewski (6; 30%), OT R.J. Prince (6; 30%), G William Sherman (6; 30%), S Adrian Colbert (6; 30%), CB Joejuan Williams (6; 30%), LB Chase Winovich (6; 30%), DE Henry Anderson (6; 30%), CB Justin Bethel (6; 30%), LB Brandon King (6; 30%), S Cody Davis (6; 30%), WR Matthew Slater (6; 30%), WR Isaiah Zuber (5; 25%), DT Bill Murray (5; 25%), WR Kristian Wilkerson (4; 20%), WR Devin Ross (4; 20%), RB J.J. Taylor (3; 15%), LB Ronnie Perkins (3; 15%), DB Jalen Mills (3; 15%), S Kyle Dugger (3; 15%), S Adrian Phillips (3; 15%), LB Tashawn Bower (3; 15%), LB Josh Uche (2; 10%), RB Rhamondre Stevenson (1; 5%), LB Ja’Whaun Bentley (1; 5%)

The Patriots used a total of 38 players in the kicking game, including six of them exclusively: specialists Jake Bailey (12), Quinn Nordin (8) and Brian Khoury (7), as well as Brandon King (6), Cody Davis (6) and Matthew Slater (6). Slater made his preseason debut, while Quinn Nordin was used in different fashion late: the undrafted rookie, who had a difficult game that saw him miss a field goal plus two extra points, attempted a kickoff for the first time in his career. It went for a touchback.

Did not play

K Nick Folk, RB Brandon Bolden, CB Jonathan Jones, DB Myles Bryant, LS Joe Cardona, LB Anfernee Jennings, TE Jonnu Smith, TE Matt LaCosse, TE Hunter Henry, WR Tre Nixon, DT Lawrence Guy

The Patriots had some big names on their inactives list, with the three tight ends standing out. As noted above, offseason acquisitions Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry missed the contest in Philadelphia due to ankle and shoulder injuries; Matt LaCosse left Monday’s practice with an apparent head injury; Troy Fumagalli was placed on season-ending injured reserve. With those four out, Devin Asiasi was the only active tight end during the game.

Inactive

QB Jarrett Stidham (PUP), CB Stephon Gilmore (PUP), DB Joshuah Bledsoe (NFI), LB Cameron McGrone (NFI), LB Terez Hall (PUP), DT Byron Cowart (PUP)

The Patriots did not make any changes to their reserve lists ahead of Thursday’s game, meaning that the list remained at six players. The four players on injured reserve — WR Marvin Hall, TE Dalton Keene, LB Raekwon McMillan, TE Troy Fumagalli — are not listed here, because their seasons are officially.