Lions vs Packers Snap Counts: LBs play key role in bend-don't-break defense

Let's take a closer look Detroit Lions Week 9 Snap Counts are based on their 24-14 win over the GreenBay Packers, giving them a 7-1 record and a commanding lead in the NFC North.

attack

Quarterbacks

Jared Goff: 57 (100%)
Hendon Hooker: 0 (0%)

Another outstanding performance from Goff as he continues to receive accolades.

Running backs

David Montgomery: 32 (56%)
Jahmyr Gibbs: 22 (39%)
Craig Reynolds: 3 (5%) – 9 special teams snaps (41%)
Sione Vaki: INACTIVE (injured)

Montgomery was built for the rain and wind we saw in Green Bay on Sunday, so it's no surprise that he outran and outran Gibbs (20 to 12). While Monty was the workhorse that both opened and closed this game, Gibbs was the more efficient runner (5.9 yards per carry) and managed to find the end zone. Having two running backs in the top eight (in terms of success rate) is a huge advantage.

Tight ends

Sam LaPorta: 48 (84%) – 1 (5%)
Brock Wright: 34 (60%) – 8 (36%)
Shane Zylstra: 9 (16%) – 13 (59%)

LaPorta saw an increase in his snaps, while Wright and Zylstra's rate remained at about the same percentage as last week. Part of that could be because the Lions were once again playing with Jameson Williams, but it was also likely a matchup as the Packers have struggled with tight ends.

Wide receiver

Amon-Ra St. Brown: 53 (93%) – 1 (5%)
Tim Patrick: 44 (77%)
Caliph Raymond: 22 (39%) – 3 (14%)
Allen Robinson: 11 (19%)
Isaiah Williams: 3 (5%) – 3 (14%)
Jameson Williams: Suspension

While the Lions didn't produce the ridiculous amount of running we've come to expect from Williams in the lineup, they were still extremely efficient. St. Brown caught another seven receptions, Patrick had two, while Raymond and Robinson had one each. Efficient.

Offensive line

Penei Sewell: 57 (100%) – 4 (18%)
Graham Glasgow: 57 (100%) – 4 (18%)
Kevin Zeitler: 57 (100%) – 4 (18%)
Taylor Decker: 57 (100%)
Frank Ragnow: 57 (100%)
Dan Skipper: 4 (7%) – 4 (18%)
Kayode Awosika: 0 (0%) – 4 (18%)
Michael Niese: 0 (0%) – 4 (18%)
Colby Sorsdal: INACTIVE
Giovanni Manu: INACTIVE
Christian Mahogany: INACTIVE

Another strong performance from the offensive line. While the weather suggested the Lions might use some heavier sets to establish the run game, they were very effective without the additional offensive lineman, only using the sixth man four times.

defense

EDGE:

Levi Onwuzurike: 49 (75%) – 3 (14%)
James Houston: 36 (55%) – 9 (41%)
Al-Quadin Muhammad: 33 (51%) – 1 (5%)
Isaiah Thomas: 8 (12%)
Josh Paschal: INACTIVE (injured)

Onwuzurike once again got his start on the edge, but he hit the inside more than in previous weeks. In that game, he was on the sidelines in 32 snaps while also pitching in a rep inning in 17 snaps. If the Lions add another edge rusher at the trade deadline and Josh Paschal potentially gets healthy again, Onwuzurike could become a mobile chess piece again.

After playing just 45 snaps in the first seven games of the season, Houston scored 36 in this game alone. Unfortunately, he only managed one tackle in the box and looked largely ineffective with his ability to apply pressure.

Muhammad started opposite Onwuzurike and played more than half of the defensive snaps, but like Houston, he was underwhelming in this game and didn't have much of a positive impact. Thomas played 50% of the snaps in Week 8, but saw that percentage drop significantly against the Packers. Both Muhammad and Thomas struggled to resolve the conflict.

DT:

Alim McNeill: 54 (83%) – 4 (18%)
DJ Readers: 32 (49%) – 1 (5%)
Pat O'Connor: 11 (17%) – 11 (50%)
Chris Smith: 10 (15%) – 3 (14%)
Mekhi Wingo: INACTIVE (injured)

McNeill saw his snap count rise again this week as Reader continues to play above snap expectations. Like Onwuzurike, O'Connor saw time both inside (eight snaps) and outside (three), while Smith provided order at both inside positions.

Linebackers

Alex Anzalone: ​​65 (100%) – 1 (5%)
Jack Campbell: 60 (92%) – 11 (50%)
Trevor Nowaske: 35 (54%) – 16% (73%)
Jalen Reeves-Maybin: 23 (35%) – 16 (73%)
Ben Niemann: 3 (5%) – 17 (77%)
Abraham Beauplan: 0 (0%) – 9 (41%)
Malcolm Rodriguez: INACTIVE (injured)

The Lions came into this game intending to use a lot of three-linebacker sets. And even though the secondary was nickel 55% of the time, the Lions still used three linebackers over 80% of the time. They achieved this by using fewer down defensive linemen and increasing their athleticism. While this likely led to the Packers having more offense, it was also a key component of their bend rather than break defensive style, which led to the Packers leading the way until the final six minutes of the game only scored six points.

Cornerbacks

Terrion Arnold: 65 (100%) – 2 (9%)
Carlton Davis: 62 (95%) – 1 (5%)
Amik Robertson: 28 (43%)
Ennis Rakestraw: 8 (12%) – 6 (27%)
Kindle Vildor: 3 (5%) – 9 (41%)
Khalil Dorsey: 0 (0%) – 17 (77%)

The Lions were in nickel over 50% of the time, and while they leaned on Robertson as their primary option, they slowly began giving Rakestarw snaps in the slot. Davis was briefly sidelined due to injury, but missed only three snaps and was replaced by Vildor on the outside. Vildor has been outstanding on special teams lately and it looks like he could move up the cornerback depth chart as well.

Security

Kerby Joseph: 65 (100%) – 4 (18%)
Brandon Joseph: 41 (63%) – 5 (23%)
Brian Branch: 24 (37%)
Loren Strickland: 0 (0%) – 9 (41%)

After Branch was ejected, the Lions turned to Brandon Joseph, who performed well under the circumstances. Although he saw fewer snaps than most defensive backs, he still managed six tackles, the third most on the team. Strickland was active and filled in as an injury replacement on special teams.

Special teams

Jake Bates: 9 (41%)
Jack Fox: 8 (36%)
Hogan Hatten: 8 (36%)

Bates remained perfect on field goals while Fox switched fields all night long. The return coverage was once again excellent.