Eagles-Cardinals snap count analysis

Here is the playing time distribution from the Eagles-Cardinals game...

QUARTERBACK

Sam Bradford: 63 (98%)

Mark Sanchez: 1 (2%)

Analysis: Bradford missed one snap when he needed to come off the field for his left shoulder to be evaluated. Bradford re-aggravated the shoulder injury in the first quarter. He admitted after the game that he's vulnerable because the shoulder is not fully healed. Sanchez handed off on his one snap.

RUNNING BACK

Darren Sproles: 30 (47%)

Ryan Mathews: 26 (41%)

DeMarco Murray: 8 (12%)

Analysis: No matter how the Eagles try to spin it, Murray is the third running back. This is the third consecutive game that Murray has had a reduced role, and he carried the ball only twice. Coach Chip Kelly said that Sproles played more because the Eagles were in passing situations, and if they had more plays, they would have had more carries to go around. But this was far from an even split. Murray was relegated to the No. 3 running back, which is a curious place for a player with a $40 million contract.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Allen Barbre: 64 (100%)

Matt Tobin: 64 (100%)

Lane Johnson: 64 (100%)

Jason Peters: 64 (100%)

Jason Kelce: 64 (100%)

Analysis: The Eagles kept the same five offensive linemen on the field for the whole game, but that wasn't a difference on Sunday. The Eagles averaged only 3.7 yards per carry, and Bradford was sacked twice and hit seven times.

WIDE RECEIVER

Nelson Agholor: 57 (89%)

Jordan Matthews: 53 (83%)

Riley Cooper: 45 (70%)

Josh Huff: 24 (38%)

Analysis: What stands out here is that Agholor played 57 snaps and was targeted only once. He did not have a reception. Agholor was covered by Patrick Peterson. Kelly said that was the reason for the lack of production. Matthews posted a career-high 159 yards in the slot. Cooper and Huff split time on the left side. Seyi Ajirotutu did not enter the game on offense, and he left with an injury. Jonathan Krause was inactive.

TIGHT ENDS

Zach Ertz: 49 (77%)

Brent Celek: 27 (42%)

Trey Burton: 1 (2%)

Analysis: Ertz continues to see the bulk of the snaps here, and he's remained productive. He was targeted 13 times and had eight catches for 78 yards and a touchdown. Celek was a solid performer and remains a part of the rotation. Burton played only one offensive snap, and his role is mostly on special teams.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Fletcher Cox: 59 (78%)

Bennie Logan: 40 (53%)

Taylor Hart: 34 (45%)

Cedric Thornton: 32 (42%)

Vinny Curry: 22 (29%)

Beau Allen: 19 (25%)

Analysis: Look at Hart's playing time. It's clear the Eagles are trying to get him more involved. He played more than Thornton. Hart is in line to start next season. I'm surprised Curry didn't play more, considering how dangerous the Cardinals are passing. Curry deserves more than 22 snaps. There's no need to point out Cox's snaps – there's a reason he's on the field so much. In fact, he missed three snaps because of helmet problems. If his helmet was fine, he would have been on the field more.

LINEBACKERS

Connor Barwin: 63 (83%)

Brandon Graham: 56 (74%)

DeMeco Ryans: 54 (71%)

Mychal Kendricks: 43 (57%)

Kiko Alonso: 40 (53%)

Marcus Smith: 11 (14%)

Analysis: Ryans took the most snaps of the inside linebackers, which is a surprise. The Eagles spent so much time in their sub packages, yet Ryans played even in those. None of the inside linebackers impressed on Sunday, which is part of the reason why the run defense struggled. Smith was more involved, and split a sack with Connor Barwin.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Malcolm Jenkins: 76 (100%)

Walter Thurmond: 76 (100%)

E.J. Biggers: 59 (78%)

Jaylen Watkins: 49 (64%)

Ed Reynolds: 44 (58%)

Byron Maxwell: 28 (37%)

Eric Rowe: 20 (26%)

Chris Maragos: 11 (14%)

Analysis: This is the most notable playing time split on defense. Rowe and Maxwell both left in the second quarter with injuries. Rowe had a concussion and Maxwell had a shoulder injury. Maxwell tried to return to the game, but he was not quite healthy. The Eagles only activated four cornerbacks, so Biggers and Watkins were pressed into significant playing time. The Eagles also used Maragos in certain dime situations. Denzel Rice was inactive, but he could be a player to watch this week if Maxwell and/or Rowe are not ready for Saturday.