5 Quick takeaways from Packers snap count totals vs. Jets
By Paul Bretl
Following the Green Bay Packers’ disappointing loss to the New York Jets, let’s take a closer look at their snap count totals, specifically, my five quick takeaways and what you need to know.
Bakhtiari plays 69 of the Packers 73 snaps
Coincidentally, David Bakhtiari played 69 of the Green Bay Packers’ 73 offensive snaps against the Jets. The only snaps he missed came on the Packers’ final possession when the game was out of reach, and Jordan Love was in at quarterback. Otherwise, there was no left tackle rotation this week, which could be key moving forward as the Packers should consider putting Yosh Nijman at right tackle, given the issues from the right side of the line with Royce Newman and Elgton Jenkins.
In a game where the Packers’ offensive line was bullied by the Jets, Bakhtiari played well, allowing just one pressure and logging PFF’s second-highest run-blocking grade among tackles in Week 6.
24 offensive snaps for Amari Rodgers
The Packers found themselves incredibly thin at the receiver position with Christian Watson out, Sammy Watkins on IR, and Randall Cobb left the game. Without many options, Amari Rodgers ended up taking 24 offensive snaps after playing a total of five over the previous five games.
Green Bay utilized him as the motion man, which has helped open up running lanes in previous weeks with Watson in that role. Rodgers also had one reception for 14 yards. Watkins is eligible to come off IR this week, and hopefully, Watson will be back as well. The fact that he hasn’t been placed on IR is a good sign.
5 offensive snaps for Josiah Deguara
Of the Packers’ four tight ends, Deguara has seen the least amount of playing time, which culminated on Sunday with his lowest snap count of the season. Of the tight ends, Deguara provides the most versatility, able to line up all over the formation, including the backfield, and can impact the run and passing games.
For an offense in search of consistency, or on Sunday, any way of moving the ball, one would think that the flexibility that Deguara’s skill set could provide Matt LaFleur as a play-caller would be valuable.
36 snaps for Rasul Douglas
Rasul Douglas certainly hasn’t played as well as he did a season ago, and he isn’t making those same impact plays. I’m sure his move to the slot has something to do with this. However, while Douglas has given up 15 catches on 19 targets, he is allowing only 5.9 yards per catch from the slot. Douglas is also still getting out-snapped by quite a bit by Eric Stokes, who played the entire game, and is having a very rough season.
The Green Bay pass defense held up well against the Jets, allowing just 110 passing yards with an average attempt of 5.0. Their one big play was a 41-yard completion given up by Stokes. For the season, he has allowed 16 completions on 18 targets and at 15.1 yards per catch with no pass breakups.
We saw some adjustments by Joe Barry on Sunday, which included more press coverage, dime personnel on third downs, and Jaire Alexander in the slot. Perhaps another move should be more boundary snaps for Douglas, and if that comes at the expense of Stokes’ playing time, it’s worth experimenting with.
Robert Tonyan plays 63% of the snaps
When Tonyan was fully healthy in 2020, he was playing over 60% of the Packers’ offensive snaps. This season, however, as he is worked back into form, he has consistently been in the 45% range. But against the Jets, he took on a much larger role, playing 63% of the total snaps, which included being the only consistent pass-catching threat as he hauled in 10 of 12 targets for 90 yards. The next step that we need to see from Tonyan is that playmaking ability with the ball in his hands.