Packers Snap Counts Versus San Francisco - Week Three
It looks like the Packers have a new starting left guard in Jon Runyan, who played every snap even though Lucas Patrick was active and played special teams snaps for a second straight week.
The Packers did not elevate anyone from the practice squad for this game. The inactive players were Kevin King, Elgton Jenkins, Vernon Scott (all due to illness or injury) and LaDarius Hamilton. Jordan Love and Jake Hanson were active but did not play.
| Player | Snaps | % | STs |
| Turner | 63 | 100 | |
| Newman | 63 | 100 | 6 - 22% |
| Myers | 63 | 100 | |
| Runyan | 63 | 100 | 6 - 22% |
| Nijman | 63 | 100 | 6 - 22% |
| Patrick | 6 - 22% | ||
| Kelly | 6 - 22% | ||
| Rodgers | 63 | 100 | |
| Love | DNP | - - - | |
| Jones | 46 | 73 | |
| Dillon | 18 | 29 | 9 - 33% |
| K Hill | Zero | - - - | 11 - 41% |
| Adams | 56 | 89 | |
| Lazard | 42 | 67 | 4 - 15% |
| Valdes-Scantling | 40 | 63 | |
| Cobb | 21 | 33 | |
| Taylor | 2 | 3 | 17 - 63% |
| Rodgers | 2 | 3 | 4 - 15% |
| Tonyan | 46 | 73 | 4 - 15% |
| Lewis | 25 | 40 | |
| Deguara | 17 | 27 | 6 - 22% |
The offensive line held up better than I expected. Nijman did not allow Nick Bosa to become a wrecking ball, though Bosa still had a pretty good game. Nijman had some troubles, especially early. A face mask penalty turned 2nd and 14 at the San Francisco 19 into 2nd and 29. Crosby saved that with a 54 yard field goal. According to Pro Football Focus, Aaron Rodgers finished with a career lowest time to throw of 2.05 seconds (since PFF started to collect that data). The ball came out really fast, which helped the offensive line. The Packers rushed 15 times for 47 yards in the first half, a 3.1 yard average. It wasn't beautiful but the line allowed only one tackle for loss in the first half and two more in the second half. Most of the runs gained positive yards. Things improved in the second half as the Packers rushed 10 times for 53 yards in the second half. Overall, the Packers averaged 4.0 yards per carry. Jones had a long of 10 in the first half and two runs over 10 yards in the second half with a long of 12. Rodgers was only sacked once and was only hit twice all game. He had five big time throws, according to PFF.
| Player | Snaps | % | STs |
| Stokes | 70 | 100 | 4 - 15% |
| Amos | 70 | 100 | 1 - 4% |
| Savage | 70 | 100 | |
| Alexander | 70 | 100 | |
| Sullivan | 44 | 63 | 6 - 22% |
| Black | 13 | 19 | 20 - 74% |
| Yiadom | 21 - 78% | ||
| Jean-Charles | 14 - 52% | ||
| Campbell | 70 | 100 | 2 - 7% |
| P. Smith | 57 | 81 | |
| Gary | 51 | 73 | 2 - 7% |
| Burks | 25 | 36 | 21 - 78% |
| Summers | 20 | 29 | 20 - 74% |
| Garvin | 20 | 29 | 12 - 44% |
| Rivers | 13 | 19 | 12 - 44% |
| Barnes | 10 | 14 | 1 - 4% |
| McDuffie | 16 - 59% | ||
| Clark | 62 | 89 | |
| Lowry | 44 | 63 | 7- 26% |
| Keke | 42 | 60 | 6 - 22% |
| Lancaster | 17 | 24 | 9 - 33% |
| Slaton | 2 | 3 | 4 - 15% |
| Heflin | Zero | - - - | 4 - 15% |
Kenny Clark played really well today. The other linemen stepped up nicely. San Francisco finished with 21 carries for 67 yards, a 3.1 yard average. I did not miss Kevin King. Stokes was a little up and down, and the statistics will show two pass interference penalties, but one is difficult (to say the least) to see even in slow motion replay. The defense was also hurt by several very dubious penalties that were assessed against the team.
The Packers had 11 quarterback hits and 4 sacks. Preston Smith led the way with 3 quarterback hits and a sack (plus a tackle for loss). Gary had 2 quarterback hits, though both were of the clean up variety after another player had flushed the quarterback. Garvin also had two quarterback hits, with Burks, Lowry, Clark, and Slaton each adding one.
DeVondre Campbell led the team with 11 tackles (5 solo). According to PFF, he was in coverage for 42 snaps, was targeted 7 times while allowing 5 receptions for just 23 yards. Ty Summers was targeted 6 times in 12 coverage snaps, and all 6 were completed for 40 yards. Jaire Alexander had 3 pass breakups, including an interception.
WRs: 2.59/play
TEs: 1.40/play
RBs: 1.02/play
DL: 2.39/play
DBs: 4.81/play
LBs: 3.80/play
As a note, there has been some discussion in the comments that perhaps the Packers should elect to receive the ball to start games. The thought is that the defense plays much better with a lead and the Packers' offense has been good on its opening drives for some time now. This game is illustrative of the pros and cons of that. The Packers did get the ball first and scored a field goal and after a defensive stop, scored a touchdown. However, San Francisco scored a late touchdown in the first half and then scored another touchdown to open the second half. Here are the rushing statistics for San Francisco for the first half:
| Player | Carries | Yds | Ave. |
| Kittle | 1 | 9 | 9.0 |
| Juszczyk | 2 | 6 | 3.0 |
| Trey Lance | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Samuel | 1 | 0 | 0.0 |
| Sermon | 3 | -1 | -0.33 |
| Team | 8 | 15 | 1.88 |
I do not know if the Packers defense would have been good regardless of whether the Packers had the lead early. San Francisco ran the ball 13 times for 52 yards (4.0 average) in the second half, and finished with a 3.1 yard average for the whole game.
All statistics per NFLgsis.
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Comments (31)
Thegreatreynoldo
September 27, 2021 at 05:31 am
I chose to use a photo of Jon Runyan. It seems like he has solidified his place as the starting left guard. Burks played a lot due to the injury to Barnes. Burks had 3 tackles (2 solo), a QB hit, and a half sack. IDK, do they just rush Burks when he is on the field? Summers had 3 solo tackles. I can't say Summers impressed. Keke had two assisted tackles in a lot of snaps, but then Lowry also had 2 tackles (1 solo) with a QB hit. Slaton had an assisted tackle, one QB hit and a half sack on one of his 2 snaps. He split the sack with Garvin.
As a note, ESPN lists GB with 3 sacks. NFLgsis gave a team sack to GB to make it add up to 4 sacks.
I do not know if receiving the opening kickoff and getting an early lead was a causative factor in the Packers' better run defense. Detroit received the opening kickoff and scored a touchdown. Detroit rushed 14 times for 60 yards in the first half of that game (4.3 average). The Saints received the opening kickoff and scored a field goal on the opening drive. The Saints rushed 25 times for 140 yards in the first half, a 5.6 yard average. The sample size for this season is too small, so for now it is barely even a correlation.
MarkinMadison
September 27, 2021 at 05:29 am
Burning the midnight oil TGR. Check your first Rodger, roger.
Campbell is underpaid. Garvin showed something, and it was good.
I don't know if the game would have been different if the defense was on the field right out of the gate. I do know that some guy in San Fran took his time at the half to draw up a series of plays that left the defenses' heads spinning for over 7 minutes, and they went on to give up two more long drives (and much more quickly) after that gut punch. Really, take the fumble out of the equation and the second half was not good for the defense. They were on their heels.
dobber
September 27, 2021 at 05:39 am
SF came out on that first drive after halftime using a significant amount of sweep action, outside runs, and attacking the Packers wide. They didn't seem to go back to it after that drive, which surprised me. In this case, not having a speed back like Mostert or Mitchell who is fast tot he edge probably hurt their game planning.
Thegreatreynoldo
September 27, 2021 at 05:42 am
Thanks. I fixed Aron's name. :)
That's true about the second half. SF's run game improved and Garappolo heated up from 10/18 for 91 yards (46.3 passer rating) to 15/22 for 166 yards. He finished with an 87.2 passer rating.
Coldworld
September 27, 2021 at 09:40 am
The second half figured for SF are skewed to some extent by drive sustaining penalties that I think were often phantom. These happen but I’m sufficiently dubious of those to want to raise that when considering our defensive metrics and performance.
Thank you for getting these snap counts to us each week and so promptly!
One question: “ LBs: 3.80/play” seems like it might be a typo?
I think one plus from last that I’ve not seen mentioned anywhere is that Keke had a decent game for the first time this season. As with Lancaster, him turning it around makes a big difference. Both of these came off late camp injuries. I wonder if health has been a factor previously?
Thegreatreynoldo
September 27, 2021 at 06:05 pm
It is accurate if not clear. 2.01 OLBs were on the field per play on average. 1.79 ILBs/play on average.
Coldworld
September 27, 2021 at 06:34 pm
Ah, that does make sense, thank you. It is more helpful to have it broken out though.
dobber
September 27, 2021 at 05:36 am
Thanks for posting these so quickly TGR. I know it took me a while to settle down enough to sleep last night.
Seemed to be the Packers were in base more than usual last night. They've seemed to like to play more base and nickel this season, but not much dime. DL was active and set the tone for the rest of the defense, but there seemed to be a real difference in play last night after Barnes got dinged. He seems to be dinged a lot. I don't see how they sit Stokes back down after last night.
Statistically, the Packers had to have put Dillon and Jones on the field together at least once. Would like to see that look a little more. This might have been Lewis' smallest snap total in awhile.
Thegreatreynoldo
September 27, 2021 at 05:58 am
I agree. I was surprised to see the ILBs at 1.79 per play even with Barnes out (OLBs were at 2.01, a little low if ZaDarius is available, but the excess goes to the DL rather than ILB anyway). IOWs, that Summers and Burks got so many snaps. Then again, who would one insert if Barnes is out? The choices were Burks, Summers, and Black. I suppose Sullivan could have played more snaps. He was up and down, but I didn't mind him. Pretty sure he was responsible for one TD. McDuffie and Yiadom are the other possibilities.
I rather like McDuffie's potential. Like Kamal Martin, he's a guy with some get up and go. Just have to wait for him to be familiar with the playbook amd the NFL in general. Might have to wait for him to not be a rookie to see if the light comes on and he can play.
dobber
September 27, 2021 at 07:30 am
I think, in the end, the Packers decided to keep those ILBs on the field to make Garoppolo keep throwing when given those calls at the line. Whether it was game script or making those calls, it kept Garoppolo at the center of their offense and not some generic RB who might very well have gotten hot. Garoppolo is a very average QB, but it also said the Packers had enough faith in their pass defense to make it go.
Thegreatreynoldo
September 27, 2021 at 06:25 am
Oh, I meant to put in a paragraph apologizing to Preston Smith since I had him as a cap casualty last March. He has been a rather useful players so far, to put it mildly.
I also wasn't that thrilled with the signing of Campbell, though I liked the price. He is playing much better than I expected.
Mea culpa, amigos.
Spanky65
September 27, 2021 at 06:27 am
The Packers record should really be 3-1 for
1. Beating the 49'ers
2. Beating the NFL (The National Fix League). Could not
believe all the Controversial Penalties not called and
all the Controversial Penalties called .
But The Packers pre severe and and got a Well Deserved
victory,
GO PACK ! GO PACK GO !
dobber
September 27, 2021 at 08:04 am
Looking at last night's game, the tenor here changes dramatically if you put that game script up against a team like Detroit, Houston, or Jacksonville. They go from 17-0 later in the first half, give up an ulgy KO return and the opponent outscores them 28-10 from that point to go up in the closing minute, and the Packers use a late drive by ARod and a long FG from Crosby to sneak one out. We'd be one fidgety, cranky bunch if that exact gamescript happens against one of those other teams.
I think we accept last night's game script because we perceive SF to be a playoff contender and not a doormat--I'm not convinced they're not third best in that division, and maybe fourth, granted that might be the best division in football this season--but if the Packers get a touchback on that long kick return and hold SF to a short drive and a punt, they should win going away. That KO return was one FG away from being the play of the game.
That said: great road win. They're hard to come by--and it helps with NFC positioning in the long run. On to Pittsburgh!
Coldworld
September 27, 2021 at 09:54 am
That’s a valid caveat on San Fran, but at this point in the season no one really knows what any team is. Personally, I think that they would be a lot better with Mostert. He gives them another dimension. That said, they and their style have been the kryptonite of both our coaching and playing staffs.
This time we went in with an O line with 2 rookies, a LT making his first ever start (and in season play time to boot) and a very inexperienced sophomore. That seemed to play into SF’s strengths. Not only did we play well, but we came in with a game plan that countered their strengths. To meet that’s a big step for LaFleur and for Barry, one that could be a sign of crucial progress.
For me, this is a game to celebrate coaching growth, the emergence of Nijman, Stokes, Garvin and Cambell and maybe Slaton. I would also note big improvement from Keke and Lancaster.
The only negative for me was STs. That kind of Zookian coverage failure cannot be tolerated. It very nearly turned this game. I’m not convinced on punt returns either. We got lucky that one early one made the end zone after being let go.
jeremyjjbrown
September 27, 2021 at 06:57 am
We might need snap counts for the refs because I think they weren't even on the field for quite a few plays last night.
dobber
September 27, 2021 at 07:16 am
Oh...they were on the field, that's for certain.
jeremyjjbrown
September 27, 2021 at 11:08 am
If the field is up their asses then sure.
Lphill
September 27, 2021 at 07:15 am
Slaton had a few snaps yet seemed to penetrate every time , Summers gets a bad rap yet on one play he came straight across from the right side to the left and tackled the running back for a limited gain , he tracked the ball very well .
dobber
September 27, 2021 at 07:17 am
Slaton was visible enough in those very few snaps that I was shocked he had so few. I expected at least a dozen. Basically, he showed every time he was on the field.
Thegreatreynoldo
September 27, 2021 at 07:48 am
Ty Summers has the physical tools. At the combine, electrically timed, he ran a 4.51 forty, a 1.6 10-yard dash, 36" vertical and a 123" broad jump. No 3 cone due to injury but at his pro day he ran the 3-cone in 7.00 seconds and the 20 yard shuttle in 4.26 at 241 pounds.
He is a H/W/S guy drafted in the 7th.
https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1001433&DraftYear=2019
Coldworld
September 27, 2021 at 10:00 am
I though Summers did well in terms of bringing down the ball carrier. He is not great in pass coverage in terms of preventing completions, but neither is Barnes and nor are many LBs.
Guam
September 27, 2021 at 07:58 am
Loved the play of the Packer's offensive line. I was very impressed with the interior trio of Runyan, Myers and Newman. For two rookies and a second year guy, they dominated a very good SF D-line most of the night. They opened holes in the running game and pass blocked well. Nijman played decently against some very tough competition (Bosa) and just became the Packers swing tackle for the season. The Packers have a talented young O-line!!!
The next question will be, who do you bump out when Bahk comes back? Or do you trade Bahk for a high draft choice and relieve some of the pressure on your salary cap (although the write off his signing bonus probably precludes any savings until after 2022).
Coldworld
September 27, 2021 at 10:04 am
I’d say the future tackles are Nijman and Jenkins. The question is when, but not this season unless health forces it. Jenkins is going to need to be paid as a T in the near future, wherever he plays in the interim and Nijman is now a genuine prospect as well.
dobber
September 27, 2021 at 10:10 am
It won't be next season. Bakhtiari is owed too much and the cap hit is prohibitive...unless they move him after Jun 1, in which case it's mostly a cap neutral move to ship him out.
Coldworld
September 27, 2021 at 06:40 pm
I’d say Turner first Bakh second. Nijman would be T 3 next year, which is when they have to decide to pay him if they decide to pursue a qualifying ERFA contract for next year.
Archie
September 27, 2021 at 10:56 am
Why would they give Bak $100 MM late last year and then trade him away this year or next? More likely that GB OTs will be Bak (LT), Jenkins (RT) and Nijman (Swing Tackle). Gs would be the three young'uns.
Guam
September 27, 2021 at 05:49 pm
And that was my first question - who does Bahk bump? I tend to agree that Jenkins gets moved to RT and Turner is cut loose.
Packers0808
September 27, 2021 at 10:44 am
Anyone else beside me think the helmet to helmet hit on Adams was a targeted situation?
murf7777
September 27, 2021 at 11:14 am
I think it was targeting and the NFL needs to adopt the NCAA way of determining it. All potential targeting should be reviewed and if it is determined to be targeting the player is ejected for the current game and the 1st half of the next. Sometimes officials are in tough positions to see the play and make the correct call. The game is fast and officials are human and have a hard time telling at game speed. It was a terrible game of officiating and that is on both sides.
stockholder
September 27, 2021 at 11:13 am
More Slaton please. Clark was Awesome!
greengold
September 28, 2021 at 07:38 am
Thank you, TGR. This is really great, and appreciated!
TJ Slaton. I cannot wait to see him get more reps. Insane production in just 2 snaps.
I think our D was quite good in spite of all the negative penalty hits they absorbed. Those bad calls & missed calls can drain the energy from a D. The Packers continued to play tough against a top team.
I have to admit, that was the best I’ve seen Oren Burks play in a Packer uniform.