Eagles-Chiefs snap counts: Philly heavily relying on Haason Reddick and Josh Sweat

The official snap counts from the Philadelphia Eagles’ Week 11 win over the Kansas City Chiefs are in! Let’s take a look and run through some analysis.

OFFENSE

• The Eagles are still undefeated this year when Jalen Hurts and the starting offensive line don’t miss a snap.
• A.J. Brown was held to season lows in targets (4), receptions (1), and receiving yards (8) despite nearly playing the entire game. It was his quietest performance since he was seen engaging with Hurts on the sideline in Week 2. The Chiefs were clearly intent on taking Brown away.
• DeVonta Smith took advantage of his matchup to lead the Eagles in targets (8), receptions (6), and receiving yards (99). Pretty good player.
• D’Andre Swift played his fifth-highest snap count percentage this season but logged his second-lowest touch total. Swift made the most of his opportunities, however, with 12 carries for 76 yards and one touchdown plus three receptions for 31 yards. His 107 yards from scrimmage were his fourth-highest this year, just behind the 108 he had in Week 5. The Eagles don’t win that game without Swift stepping up.
• With Dallas Goedert out, Julio Jones’ playing time increased to be WR3 behind Brown and Smith. Jones only saw two targets on ill-advised bubble screens, which resulted in just five yards gained. Preferably a guy you’d target vertically, not horizontally.
• Kenny Gainwell was RB2 in terms of snap counts but he was the third running back to get a carry in this game and he tied Boston Scott for total touches with two apiece. This was Gainwell’s second-lowest snap count percentage this year, just 0.2% ahead of his Week 8 game. Perhaps the coaches smartened up while self-scouting during the bye and realized they need to not force the ball to him.
• Jack Stoll was the top tight end with Goedert out. He was targeted twice and only had one catch for three yards on a dump off.
• Olamide Zaccheaus played his lowest snap count percentage since Week 5. OZ was WR4 behind Jones.
• Grant Calcaterra was TE2 but left the game early due to an ankle injury.
• Albert Okwuegbunam, normally a healthy scratch, began the game as TE3 but saw more snaps with Calcaterra getting hurt. He was not targeted.
• Boston Scott saw his second-highest snap count percentage this season. More Scott, less Gainwell is what the doctor ordered.
• Reed Blankenship on offense?! Yes, that’s not an error. He essentially lined up as an offensive safety on the Eagles’ QB kneels at the end of the game.

• With Goedert out and Calcaterra getting hurt, the Eagles occasionally utilized Jack Driscoll as a blocking tight end.

DEFENSE

• The Eagles’ starting safeties and cornerbacks didn’t miss a snap and they played relatively well.
• Zach Cunningham missed a couple snaps in the second half (cramps or something?) and Christian Elliss briefly filled in.
• The Eagles are heavily relying on Haason Reddick and Josh Sweat; they each played their highest snap count percentages in this game. Ideally, the Eagles would be able to rotate more to keep them fresh but they don’t seem to trust their options behind them. Also, it’s hard to keep them off the field when they’re really good.
• Nicholas Morrow’s playing time naturally went up with Nakobe Dean going on IR.
• Bradley Roby was the Eagles’ primary nickel cornerback in his first game back from injury. He made a huge play by punching the ball out of Travis Kelce’s control for an Eagles fumble recovery. He also almost gave up a huge play to Marquez Valdes-Scantling on the deep pass that was dropped.
• Jalen Carter played his third-highest snap count percentage this season. He was more disruptive than the box score indicates with zero TFLs, sacks, or QB hits.
• Jordan Davis played his third-highest snap count percentage. Good to see him able to handle more playing time after seeing a decreased role while working through a hamstring injury in two games prior to the bye week.
• Milton Williams was playing heck of a game before leaving due to a friendly-fire concussion.
• Sydney Brown still had a role despite Roby’s return to the lineup. The rookie safety shared some playing time with Eli Ricks in the slot.
• The coaching staff clearly doesn’t trust Nolan Smith to play much. The 2023 first-round pick saw his third-lowest snap count percentage this season.

SPECIAL TEAMS

• Josh Jobe made a really nice special teams tackle to pin the Chiefs at their own 9-yard line on KC’s final drive.
• Ben VanSumeren was active for his second career NFL game after being temporarily elevated from the practice squad again. He saw a heavy ST workload.
• Eagles offensive struggles made it an active night for Braden Mann, who punted seven times for a 47.7 average.
• Josiah Scott is a prime candidate to be cut if/when the Eagles decide to free up a roster spot. Scott could’ve played his last game for Philly with Justin Evans potentially returning in Week 12.

DID NOT PLAY

INACTIVE: Dallas Goedert, Derek Barnett, Sua Opeta, Rashaad Penny, Moro Ojomo, Tanner McKee

ACTIVE: Marcus Mariota

• In case you missed it, the Eagles decided not to put Goedert on injured reserve prior to Monday’s game. That means they have hope he can return in Week 14 (if not sooner). Good news.
• Barnett missed this game due to “personal reasons.” He was previously a healthy scratch in Week 9.