The New England Patriots had a 2-0 start within their grasp, but they let it slip away.
The Patriots held a 20-17 lead over the Seattle Seahawks late in Sunday’s game at Gillette Stadium. But after blocking a Joey Slye field goal attempt, the Seahawks drove for a game-tying field goal before Jason Myers kicked a game-winner in overtime. There’s much to dissect from the heartbreaking loss, including how Jerod Mayo used his players.
Let’s look at the Patriots’ snap count totals in all three phases and offer some takeaways.
Patriots Snap Count Totals in Loss to Seahawks
Offensive Snap Counts
- G Layden Robinson: 68 (100%)
- G Michael Jordan: 68 (100%)
- T Mike Onwenu: 68 (100%)
- C David Andrews: 68 (100%)
- QB Jacoby Brissett: 68 (100%)
- T Vederian Lowe: 65 (100%)
- TE Hunter Henry: 57 (84%)
- WR K.J. Osborn: 51 (75%)
- RB Rhamondre Stevenson: 49 (72%)
- WR Ja’Lynn Polk: 41 (60%)
- WR DeMario Douglas: 38 (56%)
- TE Austin Hooper: 37 (54%)
- WR Tyquan Thornton: 31 (46%)
- RB Antonio Gibson: 16 (24%)
- T Caedan Wallace: 11 (16%)
- WR Javon Baker: 6 (9%)
- RB JaMycal Hasty: 3 :4%)
- G Nick Leverett: 2 (3%)
- TE Jaheim Bell: 1 (1%)
Defensive Snap Counts
- S Kyle Dugger: 70 (100%)
- S Jabrill Peppers: 70 (100%)
- LB Jahlani Tavai: 69 (99%)
- CB Christian Gonzalez: 69 (100%)
- DE Keion White: 58 (83%)
- CB Marcus Jones: 56 (80%)
- CB Jonathan Jones: 56 (80%)
- DT Daniel Ekuale: 54 (77%)
- NT Davon Godchaux: 47 (67%)
- LB Anfernee Jennings: 44 (63%)
- LB Raekwon McMillan: 41 (59%)
- S Jaylinn Hawkins: 29 (41%)
- DE Deatrich Wise: 27 (39%)
- DT Jeremiah Pharms: 24 (34%)
- LB Joshua Uche: 23 (33%)
- CB Marco Wilson: 14 (20%)
- LB Ja’Whaun Bentley: 10 (14%)
- LB Christian Elliss: 4 (6%)
- LB Oshane Ximines: 3 (4%)
- S Dell Pettus: 1 (1%)
Special Teams Snap Counts
- G Layden Robinson: 5 (16%)
- G Michael Jordan: 5 (16%)
- T Mike Onwenu: 5 (16%)
- TE Austin Hooper: 5 (16%)
- RB Antonio Gibson: 5 (16%)
- T Caedan Wallace: 5 (16%)
- WR Javon Baker: 5 (16%)
- RB JaMycal Hasty: 10 (32%)
- G Nick Leverett: 5 (16%)
- TE Jaheim Bell: 5 (16%)
- S Kyle Dugger: 10 (32%)
- S Jabrill Peppers: 6 (19%)
- LB Jahlani Tavai: 11 (35%)
- DE Keion White: 10 (32%)
- CB Marcus Jones: 5 (16%)
- DT Daniel Ekuale: 5 (16%)
- NT Davon Godchaux: 5 (16%)
- LB Anfernee Jennings: 17 (55%)
- LB Raekwon McMillan: 24 (77%)
- S Jaylinn Hawkins: 24 (77%)
- DT Jeremiah Pharms: 5 (16%)
- LB Joshua Uche: 9 (29%)
- CB Marco Wilson: 5 (16%)
- LB Christian Elliss: 26 (84%)
- LB Oshane Ximines: 12 (39%)
- S Dell Pettus: 18 (58%)
- S Brenden Schooler: 26 (84%)
- CB Marcellas Dial Jr.: 20 (65%)
- LS Joe Cardona: 11 (35%)
- P Bryce Baringer: 11 (35%)
- CB Alex Austin: 10 (32%)
- K Joey Slye: 10 (32%)
- OL Zach Thomas: 5 (16%)
Patriots Snap Count Takeaways
Patriots Offense
- Ja’Lynn Polk saw an uptick from 35 snaps in Week 1 to 41 snaps on Sunday. His increase coincided with Tyquan Thornton dropping from 38 snaps against the Cincinnati Bengals to 31 snaps against the Seahawks. We’ll see what happens in Thursday night’s game against the New York Jets, but Polk seemingly has supplanted Thornton as the No. 3 receiver.
- To that end, Javon Baker saw six snaps after being a healthy scratch in the season opener. The rookie still has much to work on, but he also could eat into Thornton’s snaps if Thornton doesn’t start creating more separation and making more plays.
- Rookie tackle Caedan Wallace saw three snaps at left tackle after Vederian Lowe suffered a knee injury late in the fourth quarter. Wallace likely would start against the Jets if Lowe isn’t available.
- K.J. Osborn continues to see the highest usage rate among Patriots receivers. He had just four catches for 28 yards in the first two games.
- Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson saw roughly the same usage split as in Week 1. The Patriots have a good thing going in their backfield.
- Second-year receiver Kayshon Boutte was a healthy scratch after seeing zero snaps in the season opener. It’ll be interesting to see whether he or Baker — or both — is active Thursday night in New York.
Patriots Defense
- Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers saw 100% of the snaps for the second consecutive week. They deserve it, but the Patriots probably should find ways to lighten their workloads.
- Speaking of which, Jaylinn Hawkins increased from 25 snaps in Week 1 to 29 snaps in Week 2. He played well against the Seahawks and could see more time going forward.
- Marco Wilson again served as the No. 4 cornerback with Alex Austin seeing zero defensive snaps. Wilson struggled for the second straight game, so the Patriots could make a change for Week 3.
- Joshua Uche saw 33% of the snaps on Sunday after seeing 25% in Week 1. He remains little more than a sub-rusher on passing downs, albeit an effective one.
- Raekwon McMillan saw 24 snaps as the top linebacker replacement for Ja’Whaun Bentley, who suffered a shoulder injury in the first half. Bentley’s status for Week 3 remains unclear.
- Keion White played 58 snaps against the Seahawks after playing 41 snaps against the Bengals, while Deatrich Wise dropped from 45% of the snaps to 39%. White’s been excellent, and his emergence has reduced Wise to a sub-rushing role.
- Jonathan Jones saw just 80% of the snaps after playing 71% in Week 1. The Patriots clearly are managing the veteran’s workload.