Eagles-Bills snap count analysis
Here's the Eagles' playing time distribution from Sunday's win over the Bills:
QUARTERBACK
Sam Bradford: 77 (100%)
Analysis: Bradford played every offensive snap for the second consecutive week. He wears extra padding over his left shoulder, but he seems to be past the injuries that kept him sidelined for two games. The Eagles are 6-2 in the last eight games Bradford has finished, and he seems to be getting more comfortable each week.
RUNNING BACKS
Darren Sproles: 27 (35%)
DeMarco Murray: 25 (32%)
Ryan Mathews: 20 (26%)
Kenjon Barner: 5 (6%)
Analysis: This is the playing time distribution that was most fascinating entering the game. The Eagles rotated their top three running backs, keeping it fairly balanced. Mathews, in his first game after suffering a concussion, started the game and led the team with 13 carries. Murray saw a spike from his 14 snaps last week, but is still not playing the lead role. Sproles played the most snaps, but he had seven carries and was targeted only three times. Barner did not have any touches. The Eagles appear to have a true three-man backfield now without a lead back, although Mathews could see more playing time as he gets healthier.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Allen Barbre: 77 (100%)
Matt Tobin: 77 (100%)
Jason Kelce: 77 (100%)
Lane Johnson: 77 (100%)
Jason Peters: 73 (95%)
Dennis Kelly: 4 (5%)
Analysis: Peters left the game when he needed to get his ankle taped, and Kelly replaced him at left tackle. Chip Kelly said Dennis Kelly practiced at left tackle during the week, so they put him there. They did not think Peters was going to be out that long. Kelly had two holding penalties while he was in the game. Peters returned to the game and played well. The Bills had only one sack. The Eagles' offensive line has played better the past two weeks.
WIDE RECEIVER
Jordan Matthews: 63 (82%)
Nelson Agholor: 59 (77%)
Josh Huff: 50 (65%)
Riley Cooper: 31 (40%)
Seyi Ajirotutu: 2 (3%)
Analysis: The Eagles used Huff more than usual on Sunday, with Huff cutting into Cooper's playing time instead of Agholor's playing time. Agholor is the primary wide receiver on the right side. Matthews still plays mostly in the slot, although he takes some outside work in two tight-end sets. The Eagles actually got Ajirotutu involved at wide receiver and targeted him, but that's an outlier. Jonathan Krause was inactive after playing the previous week.
TIGHT ENDS
Zach Ertz: 60 (78%)
Brent Celek: 39 (51%)
Trey Burton: 4 (5%)
Analysis: The team trusts Ertz more as a blocker this year, which is why he barely comes off the field. But they're still committed to using Celek. The two-tight end sets have worked to the Eagles' advantage throughout the year. Ertz led the team with seven targets, while Celek had two.
DEFENSE
DEFENSIVE LINE
Fletcher Cox: 60 (81%)
Bennie Logan: 37 (50%)
Cedric Thornton: 31 (42%)
Vinny Curry: 28 (38%)
Taylor Hart: 21 (28%)
Beau Allen: 18 (24%)
Analysis: Cox starred for the Eagles on Sunday, and the team only took him off the field when he needed a breather. There was a rotation with much of the other linemen. Thornton returned to the lineup after missing a game because of an ankle injury. Curry was productive when he played in passing situations. Hart and Allen remain contributing reserves. Brandon Bair was inactive because Thornton returned to the lineup.
LINEBACKER
Connor Barwin: 70 (95%)
Brandon Graham: 63 (85%)
DeMeco Ryans: 47 (64%)
Mychal Kendricks: 42 (57%)
Kiko Alonso: 42 (57%)
Marcus Smith: 4 (5%)
Analysis: The key at linebacker each week is the inside linebacker rotation. Ryans saw a big spike because the Eagles played more defense and wanted to stop the run. Alonso and Kendricks took an equal distribution of snaps, and this is more in line with where the Eagles want Alonso after he was on the field most of the game last week. The Eagles don't like taking their outside linebackers off the field because they don't have a third outside linebacker to step in. That's why Smith's snap count remains low.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Malcolm Jenkins: 74 (100%)
Eric Rowe: 74 (100%)
Byron Maxwell: 74 (100%)
Walt Thurmond: 74 (100%)
Ed Reynolds: 38 (51%)
E.J. Biggers: 17 (23%)
Analysis: Rowe is a true starter now that Nolan Carroll is out of the lineup, and the top four defensive backs never leave the field. Rowe was checked for an ankle injury at one point, but he was fine. Reynolds is the Eagles' nickel safety, allowing Jenkins to play in the slot. Biggers enters in dime situations. Their playing time fluctuates based on the types of packages the opposing offense plays. Against Arizona on Sunday, the Eagles will need to play their sub packages more often.
zberman@phillynews.com
@ZBerm