The New England Patriots made an effort this offseason to enhance what was one of many worst offenses within the NFL in 2023. Sunday’s common season opener towards the Cincinnati Bengals supplied a primary true take a look at the investments made, and it’s protected to say that they left their mark on the unit.
Led by quarterback Jacoby Brissett, three offseason additions have been on the sphere for all 65 offensive snaps: moreover Brissett, the 2 beginning guards — apply squad call-up Michael Jordan and fourth-round rookie Layden Robinson — went wire-to-wire as properly. As well as, extensive receiver Okay.J. Osborn performed a position-high 40 snaps and was tied for the workforce lead with three reception (that he took for 21 yards).
The Patriots’ chief in receiving yards on Sunday was additionally added within the spring. Austin Hooper, who performed 36 snaps as a No. 2 tight finish alongside Hunter Henry, gained 31 yards on his two receptions.
All 5 of these gamers had sizable roles on offense in Week 1. Except Jordan — who’s more likely to return to backup obligation as soon as starter Sidy Sow returns from an ankle harm — little is anticipated to alter transferring ahead.
With that mentioned, right here is our snap rely report from the Patriots’ win over the Bengals.
Offense
Whole snaps: 65 | Time on the sphere: 32:57
QB Jacoby Brissett* (65; 100%), LG Michael Jordan* (65; 100%), C David Andrews* (65; 100%), RG Layden Robinson* (65; 100%), RT Michael Onwenu* (65; 100%), TE Hunter Henry* (54; 83%), LT Vederian Lowe (53; 82%), RB Rhamondre Stevenson* (51; 78%), WR Okay.J. Osborn* (40; 62%), WR DeMario Douglas* (39; 60%), WR Tyquan Thornton* (38; 58%), TE Austin Hooper (36; 55%), WR Ja’Lynn Polk (35; 54%), OT/TE Caedan Wallace (18; 28%), RB Antonio Gibson (14; 22%), LT Chukwuma Okorafor* (12; 18%)
*denotes starter
4 different offseason acquisitions moreover the 5 highlighted above additionally noticed motion on offense. Second-round rookie Ja’Lynn Polk was a rotational choice at extensive receiver, ending with 35 snaps; third-rounder Caedan Wallace was employed as a jumbo tight finish/sixth O-lineman on 18 snaps; Antonio Gibson allowed RB1 Rhamondre Stevenson to get a breather occasionally and completed with 14 snaps and 7 carries for 18 yards.
Then, there was Chukwuma Okorafor. The free company pickup began the sport at left deal with, however was benched after 12 snaps in favor of a convalescent Vederian Lowe. Regardless of Lowe lacking time with an stomach harm these days, he was inserted into the lineup within the first quarter and proved to be an improve over the struggling starter.
Elsewhere, the extensive receiver group seemed as anticipated. Apart from the aforementioned Osborn, DeMario Douglas and Tyquan Thornton stuffed the beginning roles on the place. They caught two passes every of their 39 and 38 snaps, respectively.
Protection
Whole snaps: 51 | Time on the sphere: 25:16
S Kyle Dugger* (51; 100%), S Jabrill Peppers* (51; 100%), LB Ja’Whaun Bentley* (51; 100%), CB Christian Gonzalez* (51; 100%), DE/ED Keion White* (41; 80%), CB Marcus Jones* (41; 80%), LB/ED Jahlani Tavai* (37; 73%), DT Daniel Ekuale* (37; 73%), CB Jonathan Jones* (36; 71%), DT Davon Godchaux* (33; 65%), ED Anfernee Jennings* (28; 55%), S Jaylinn Hawkins (24; 47%), DE Deatrich Smart Jr. (23; 45%), CB Marco Wilson (15; 29%), ED Joshuah Uche (13; 25%), ED Oshane Ximines (11; 22%), DT Jeremiah Pharms Jr. (11; 22%), DT Trysten Hill (7; 14%)
*denotes starter
The Patriots had 4 gamers on the sphere for each considered one of their 51 defensive snaps, and it was who you’ll anticipate it to be: safeties Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers, linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley, and No. 1 cornerback Christian Gonzalez. Peppers’ presence amongst that group is especially noteworthy on condition that he aggravated a hip harm simply 48 hours earlier than kickoff.
Different gamers who noticed a notable workload embody defensive lineman Keion White, who completed with the third-highest taking part in time share of his profession (80%) and was a menace up entrance all day. With him rising as a starter-caliber participant, workforce captain Deatrich Smart Jr. took on extra of a rotational position and was on the sphere for 23 snaps in comparison with White’s 41.
In the midst of the protection, the Patriots turned to Daniel Ekuale to assist exchange Christian Barmore. With the starter lacking not less than 4 weeks on the non-football harm listing, Ekuale stepped up and led all defensive tackles with 37 snaps.
On the sting, in the meantime, the Patriots employed the versatile White in addition to Anfernee Jennings as their high choices. As well as, they used a mixture of Smart Jr., Jahlani Tavai, Joshua Uche and Oshane Ximines.
Particular Groups
Whole snaps: 21 | Time on the sphere: 1:47
S Jaylinn Hawkins (17; 81%), ED Oshane Ximines (17; 81%), LB Raekwon McMillan (17; 81%), CB Marcellas Dial Jr. (17; 81%), S Brenden Schooler (17; 81%), LB Christian Elliss (17; 81%), S Dell Pettus (12; 57%), P/H Bryce Baringer (9; 43%), LS Joe Cardona (9; 43%), Okay Joey Slye (8; 38%), LB Jahlani Tavai (7; 33%), ED Anfernee Jennings (7; 33%), CB Alex Austin (7; 33%), S Kyle Dugger (6; 29%), DE Keion White (6; 29%), RB/KR JaMycal Hasty (6; 29%), S Jabrill Peppers (5; 24%), G Layden Robinson (4; 19%), G Michael Jordan (4; 19%), OT Michael Onwenu (4; 19%), OT Vederian Lowe (4; 19%), TE Austin Hooper (4; 19%), OT Caedan Wallace (4; 19%), OL Nick Leverett (4; 19%), RB/KR Antonio Gibson (3; 14%), CB/PR Marcus Jones (3; 14%), CB Marco Wilson (3; 14%), ED Joshuah Uche (3; 14%), TE Jaheim Bell (3; 14%), DT Daniel Ekuale (2, 10%), DT Davon Godchaux (2, 10%)
In gentle of Brenden Schooler seeing elevated alternatives at security in coaching camp and preseason, there was hypothesis about how the Patriots would use their kicking sport personnel. Not less than on Sunday, it was largely employed individually from the remainder of the roster.
A complete of 12 gamers have been used completely within the kicking sport, which might have clearly been the very best such quantity final season. Amongst these, the core particular teamers can simply be recognized: moreover the specialists, seven complete gamers performed greater than half of the snaps within the sport’s third part, together with two — Jaylinn Hawkins and Oshane Ximines — who additionally performed on protection.
Didn’t play
WR Kayshon Boutte, QB Drake Maye
With Jacoby Brissett not leaving the sphere in an in depth sport, and looking out stable whereas doing so, the Patriots had no must insert their first-round rookie quarterback into the lineup. Drake Maye due to this fact spent the complete sport on the sidelines, joined by bottom-of-the-roster extensive receiver Kayshon Boutte.
Inactive
WR Javon Baker, LB Curtis Jacobs, OT Demontrey Jacobs, DT Eric Johnson, QB Joe Milton (emergency QB), G Sidy Sow, OL Zachary Thomas
The Patriots’ inactives listing featured no true surprises. Beginning left guard Sidy Sow was out on account of an ankle harm, whereas the opposite six gamers deactivated for the sport have been all wholesome scratches: two draft picks (Javon Baker, Joe Milton) have been made inactive as have been all 4 of New England’s post-cutdown waiver wire acquisitions (Curtis Jacobs, Demontrey Jacobs, Eric Johnson, Zachary Thomas).