Quick Thoughts on Packers Snap Count Numbers from Week 2

Here is a closer look at the key takeaways from the Green Bay Packers snap count numbers from their Week 2 victory over the Chicago Bears.

More opportunities for Marcedes Lewis

Following the Green Bay Packers Week 1 loss to Minnesota, it wasn’t only Aaron Jones who needed more opportunities, but Aaron Rodgers pointed out the same for Marcedes Lewis as well. Against the Vikings, Lewis was on the field for 23 offensive snaps; this week, that number jumped to 31, or nearly half of the total snaps on offense.

Lewis is still playing at a high level, currently ranking 13th out of 72 eligible tight ends in PFF’s run-blocking grade. And if you go back and rewatch Sunday’s game, Green Bay was quick to run to Lewis’ side of the formation, and on several of those runs outside the tackle box, Lewis was leading the way.

Balance at wide receiver for the Packers

From the beginning of the game, it was quite evident that the Packers were rotating their receivers quite regularly, and we saw that illustrated in the final snap counts. Each player has their own specific packages to put them in the best position to be successful.

Allen Lazard led the way with 55 snaps, with Sammy Watkins on the field for 44, Romeo Doubs 25, Christian Watson 22, and Randall Cobb 20. There was also balance among the receiver group in targets as well, with Watkins having the most at four, while the others all had three.

Lack of depth at edge rusher already showing

Fortunately, the Bears’ offense only ran 41 total plays, but nonetheless, Rashan Gary and Preston Smith were both on the field for 88% and 90% of those snaps, respectively. To put that into context, both players were on the field for about 68% of the defensive snaps in 2021.

As good as Gary and Smith are, leaning on them that heavily over the course of a season isn’t realistic. However, that’s what we’ve seen take place through the first two games. To put it simply, the Packers need more steady contributions from their depth players at this position.

Bringing Devonte Wyatt along slowly

We’ve seen flashes from Devonte Wyatt during his time with the Packers, most notably, his athleticism and effort putting him in a position to make a play in those instances. With that said, his technique still needs work, and too often, we see him washed out at the line of scrimmage. He is the clear fifth option along the interior defensive line, playing only four snaps against the Bears.

The third safety

With the addition of Quay Walker, which has allowed the Packers to stay in their base defense far more frequently, given Walker’s ability against both the run and the pass, the role of the third safety has gone extinct–or at least through the first two weeks.

After Henry Black filled that role in 2021 and played nearly 300 snaps over the course of the season, a third safety has yet to step on the field in 2022. This perhaps may also be a result of there not being great depth at this position either.

Special teams

Last week against Minnesota, we saw several key starters play their fair share of special teams snaps. And while that was still the case in Week 2, those snaps for several of those players were reduced.

In Week 1, Darnell Savage, Adrian Amos, Rashan Gary, Jarran Reed, Kenny Clark, and Preston Smith were all on the field for at least five special teams snaps. This week, however, none played more than two snaps. Meanwhile, Rasul Douglas went from having 12 to just six.

Eric Stokes was still a key contributor, on the field for 55% of the special teams snaps, but many starters had their snap counts reduced. Green Bay’s core special teams players against Chicago included Tyler Davis, Josiah Deguara, Keisean Nixon, Isaiah McDuffie, Dallin Leavitt, Tipa Galeai, and Shemar Jean-Charles.