Packers vs. Cowboys snap counts

Green Bay’s defensive line is worn out.

A high-scoring overtime tie means that the Green Bay Packers played a lot of snaps on Sunday Night Football against the Dallas Cowboys. Beyond the 79 offensive snaps and 67 defensive snaps, excluding penalties, the Packers also played 33 special teams snaps. That’s right, the special teams were on the field about half the rate as the defense in this one.

It was a weird game. Only made weirder by the blocked PAT and the changes to special teams that happened as a reaction to that play. Due to the high volume of special teams plays, only 11 of the 48 gameday players for the Packers didn’t contribute in the kicking game.

Let’s dive into who got on the field versus the Cowboys.

Quarterback

  • 79 snaps: Jordan Love
  • 0: Malik Willis

Running Back

  • 52: Josh Jacobs
  • 23: Emanuel Wilson
  • 5: Chris Brooks – 9 SPT

In the first two weeks of the season, the Packers leaned on running back Chris Brooks as a pass protector. Since then, they’ve swung toward playing Emanuel Wilson as the RB2, one who has actually carried the ball for the team. It’ll be interesting to see what they do with Brooks and Wilson once MarShawn Lloyd returns to the 53-man roster, which very well could be next game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 6.

Receiver

  • 71: Romeo Doubs – 1 SPT
  • 62: Dontayvion Wicks – 3 SPT
  • 47: Matthew Golden
  • 19: Malik Heath
  • 10: Savion Williams – 7 SPT

This is about what we’ve expected from the team since Jayden Reed dropped out with collarbone and foot injuries. Savion Williams remains a gadget player and returner on special teams. The fact that Malik Heath can’t get on the field, especially on the kick return unit, on teams means that his job is gonna be at risk whenever Christian Watson (knee) comes off the physically unable to perform list.

Tight End

  • 75: Tucker Kraft – 5 SPT
  • 22: Luke Musgrave – 9 SPT
  • 9: John FitzPatrick – 2 SPT
  • 0: Ben Sims – 7 SPT

For three weeks, John FitzPatrick slowly chipped away at Luke Musgrave’s playing time. For whatever reason, this ended in Week 4, with Musgrave taking over as the true TE2 for the first time this year. He had one reception for six yards and allowed a blocked PAT that ultimately decided the game.

Offensive Line

  • 79: Darian Kinnard – 7 SPT
  • 79: Rasheed Walker – 7 SPT
  • 79: Jordan Morgan – 7 SPT
  • 79: Sean Rhyan – 7 SPT
  • 79: Elgton Jenkins – 5 SPT
  • 0: Donovan Jennings – 7 SPT
  • 0: Brant Banks – 2 SPT
  • 0: Lecitus Smith

For the first time this year, the Packers’ starting five offensive linemen actually played a full game. Thank God, too, because none of Jennings, Banks or Smith has ever taken a regular-season snap for Green Bay. It could have been even uglier in Arlington, if you can believe it.

Defensive End

  • 46: Micah Parsons
  • 41: Rashan Gary
  • 37: Lukas Van Ness – 12 SPT
  • 13: Kingsley Enagbare – 11 SPT
  • 8: Barryn Sorrell – 8 SPT

Including special teams, Lukas Van Ness was actually the most-played defensive end for the Packers on Sunday. If you were wondering why the defensive line looked completely worn down, that’s one reason. Beyond playing about as many defensive reps as Rashan Gary, Van Ness also started on multiple special teams units.

Defensive Tackle

  • 45: Colby Wooden – 6 SPT
  • 39: Karl Brooks – 15 SPT
  • 27: Nazir Stackhouse – 6 SPT
  • 12: Devonte Wyatt

Devonte Wyatt dropped out of the game with a knee injury in the first half. Undrafted rookie Nazir Stackhouse played just 7 snaps in the first half, but registered another 20 in the second half. With only a three-man rotation inside after Wyatt was ruled out, the interior also wore down as the game unfolded. The Cowboys scored 37 points from the second through fourth quarters of the game.

Linebacker

  • 67: Edgerrin Cooper – 7 SPT
  • 67: Quay Walker – 6 SPT
  • 23: Isaiah McDuffie – 26 SPT
  • 0: Nick Niemann – 20 SPT
  • 0: Ty’Ron Hopper – 20 SPT

There’s nothing special here. Isaiah McDuffie is the team’s Sam linebacker who comes in only for 4-3 looks. This is consistent week-to-week.

Cornerback

  • 67: Keisean Nixon – 6 SPT
  • 44: Nate Hobbs
  • 24: Carrington Valentine – 14 SPT
  • 0: Bo Melton – 20 SPT

Nate Hobbs took every outside cornerback rep opposite Keisean Nixon in the first half. After allowing two receiving touchdowns, he was then rotated with Carrington Valentine, who gave up one of his own. For the first time this year, the Packers’ outside cornerbacks played poorly.

Safety

  • 67: Xavier McKinney – 13 SPT
  • 67: Evan Williams – 9 SPT
  • 43: Javon Bullard – 11 SPT
  • 0: Zayne Anderson – 20 SPT
  • 0: Kitan Oladapo – 13 SPT

Despite coming off a concussion, Javon Bullard owned the slot defender spot for the Packers this week.

Specialists

  • K Brandon McManus: 14 SPT
  • P Daniel Wehlan: 9 SPT
  • LS Matthew Orzech: 9 SPT

Category: General Sports