5 Quick Takeaways from Packers Week 3 Snap Count Totals

The snap count totals from the Green Bay Packers Week 3 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been accounted for. Let’s take a look at five quick takeaways from the final numbers.

73 total snaps for Keisean Nixon

Jaire Alexander left the game early on, which led to Keisean Nixon playing 57 defensive snaps in the slot for the Packers. Tom Brady did his best to pick on Nixon, throwing his way nine times while completing eight of those passes. However, Nixon was able to limit those Tampa Bay pass-catchers, allowing 10.1 yards per catch per PFF ($$). All things considered, Nixon held up very well defensively for the Packers.

In addition to his contributions on defense, Nixon also played another 16 snaps on special teams. He played a key role as one of the Packers’ gunners, which included downing the ball at the two-yard line, while he and Rudy Ford also did an excellent job of limiting Tampa’s return opportunities, with Jaelon Darden only able to return three of his seven attempts and totaling only 26 yards.

A more manageable workload for Gary and Smith

Following the Packers’ Week 2 win over Chicago, I wrote about how the workload early on in the season for Preston Smith and Rashan Gary just isn’t sustainable, and their usage rates were due to the lack of edge rusher depth.

After two games, Gary had been on the field for 83% of the defensive snaps, while Smith was out there for 87%. For reference, both played just under 70% of the snaps in 2021. This week we didn’t quite see Smith back at his 2021 mark, but it was an improvement, with him being on the field for 78% of the snaps. Meanwhile, Gary played a more realistic 66% of the snaps.

Only 3 offensive snaps for Amari Rodgers

If the writing wasn’t on the wall previously, it certainly is now. With injuries to Christian Watson and Sammy Watkins, the Packers entered Sunday’s game with only five available wide receivers. Yet even with that being the case, Amari Rodgers played just three offensive snaps.

A few weeks ago, when meeting with reporters, Aaron Rodgers was asked about Amari and essentially said that he is the return man and nothing more. With the additions of Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson, both of whom have greater playmaking ability, they have taken over those gadget snaps that Rodgers could have potentially filled. From a route running standpoint, who knows, but the trust just might not be there between Aaron and Amari.

55 snaps for Packers rookie Romeo Doubs

Last Friday, Matt LaFleur said that Romeo Doubs was going to have to take on a larger role, which is exactly what he did. After averaging 30 snaps over the first two games, Doubs played 55 on Sunday, the second most at the receiver position, only a few behind Allen Lazard.

Doubs would catch all eight of his targets, including a touchdown, for 73 yards. We saw his versatility on display as he was utilized all over the field and lined up both on the boundary and the slot. In addition to that, we saw Doubs’ ability to create space and win his matchups, along with his YAC ability and strong hands.

But most importantly, when the ball came his way, he was where he needed to be and made the play. In terms of building that rapport with Rodgers, this is exactly how it’s done, and one would think that Doubs playing time will only continue to grow, even when the Packers are fully healthy at receiver.

35 snaps for David Bakhtiari in his return

The Packers took an unconventional approach to Bakhtiari’s return with him alternating series with Yosh Nijman. As LaFleur said after the game, they didn’t want to go from zero to 60 in his first game back, and the Florida heat played a role in the decision as well.

From the sounds of it, neither Bakhtiari, Nijman, nor Aaron Rodgers were onboard right away with this approach, but credit to the players, it worked out well. According to PFF, Bakhtiari surrendered only one pressure against a very good Bucs’ pass rush, while his pass-blocking grade ranked 13th out of 66 eligible tackles in Week 3.

Now we will wait and see how Bakhtiari is feeling following that game. As far as how the Packers approach Week 4 with him and Nijman, that is still to be determined.