The official snap counts from the Philadelphia Eagles’ Week 1 win over the Green Bay Packers are in and they provide some interesting insights into how the team performed on both offense and defense.
### OFFENSE
The Eagles enjoyed a winning formula in Week 1 with Jalen Hurts and the offensive line playing the entire game. Rookie DeVonta Smith made his debut and never left the field on offense, showcasing his importance to the team. A.J. Brown missed some snaps after taking a big shot while run blocking, but he is expected to bounce back quickly. Dallas Goedert ranked third among Eagles pass-catchers in snaps, targets, and receptions, showing his reliability in the passing game.
In a surprising turn of events, Saquon Barkley logged the highest snap count percentage of any Eagles running back since Miles Sanders played 83% in Week 6 of the previous season. Barkley’s 26 touches in his Eagles debut reveal the team’s intention to lean on him heavily this season. Grant Calcaterra saw a decent workload as TE2, even catching a pass, while Jahan Dotson, the sixth-most used pass-catcher, missed an opportunity with a dropped pick-six.
Kenny Gainwell played his lowest snap count percentage since Week 14 of the 2022 season, indicating a shift in his role with Barkley taking the lead. Rookie Johnny Wilson and Britain Covey had limited offensive roles, with no targets for either player. E.J. Jenkins made his NFL debut with three offensive snaps as TE3.
### DEFENSE
Zack Baun stood out as the Eagles’ top linebacker, recording impressive stats with 15 tackles, two sacks, and one tackle for loss. Reed Blankenship also shined with a strong performance, showcasing his potential as a key defender for the team. C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Nakobe Dean held their own on defense, with Dean showing promise despite some coverage struggles.
Quinyon Mitchell impressed in his regular season debut as a rookie cornerback, handling a big role with ease. Avonte Maddox played 90% of the snaps, prompting questions about his effectiveness in coverage. Jalen Carter faced some challenges but showed potential in disrupting the Packers’ offensive line. Josh Sweat saw a reduced snap count percentage compared to last season, indicating a change in the edge rusher rotation.
Brandon Graham played a significant role on defense, exceeding expectations for his playing time. It was surprising to see Nolan Smith play more than Bryce Huff, who had a limited impact on the game. Moro Ojomo and Thomas Booker IV served as DT4 and DT5, respectively, while DeJean saw limited playing time in dime packages on defense.
### SPECIAL TEAMS
On special teams, Shipley, DeJean, Ringo, and McCollum played significant roles as top contributors both on offense or defense. Patrick Johnson, the fifth edge rusher, was limited to special teams duty. Braden Mann saw increased playing time handling kickoffs in addition to punts, potentially reducing the workload on Jake Elliott.
The inactive list included Devin White, Isaiah Rodgers, and other players who did not see action in Week 1. Kenny Pickett was active but did not play. It will be interesting to see how the team’s dynamics change when these players are healthy and available for selection.
In conclusion, the Eagles’ Week 1 snap counts provide valuable insights into player performance and team dynamics, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead. With strong showings from key players on both offense and defense, the team looks poised for success as they continue their campaign.
