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Drake Maye’s Offensive Support: Patriots’ Lineup Shifts Against Texans

Introduction: A Game of Musical Chairs

The New England Patriots’ 41-21 loss to the Houston Texans in Week 6 of the NFL season was more than just a disappointing scoreline. It was a glimpse into the team’s evolving strategy and roster management. As we dive into the snap count analysis, we’ll uncover the intricate dance of player rotations and position adjustments that defined this game.

Offensive Snap Counts: Building Drake Maye’s Supporting Cast

Quarterback Conundrum

While Drake Maye wasn’t on the field for this game, the quarterback position remained a focal point. Mac Jones took 100% of the offensive snaps, highlighting the coaching staff’s commitment to giving him a full opportunity to lead the offense. This decision will undoubtedly impact how the Patriots approach Maye’s integration into the lineup in future weeks.

Offensive Line Shuffle

The offensive line saw significant adjustments:

Cole Strange returned to left guard, playing 100% of snaps

Mike Onwenu shifted to right tackle, also playing every offensive snap

Rookie Atonio Mafi saw increased playing time at right guard

These changes suggest a concerted effort to bolster protection for the quarterback and improve run blocking, which will be crucial for Maye’s future success.

Wide Receiver Rotation

The receiving corps showed interesting patterns:

DeVante Parker led with 91% of snaps

Kendrick Bourne followed closely at 89%

JuJu Smith-Schuster’s playing time decreased to 64%

This rotation indicates a search for the most effective combination to support the passing game, a key factor in preparing for Maye’s eventual debut.

Tight End Timeshare

The tight end position saw a near-even split:

Hunter Henry: 64% of snaps

Mike Gesicki: 62% of snaps

This balanced approach suggests a versatile game plan that could benefit Maye, offering multiple reliable targets in various formations.

Running Back Usage

The running back snaps were divided as follows:

Rhamondre Stevenson: 62%

Ezekiel Elliott: 38%

This distribution shows a clear preference for Stevenson as the lead back, but Elliott’s significant playing time indicates a commitment to a two-back system, which could provide valuable support for a rookie quarterback.

Defensive Snap Counts: Shoring Up the Other Side

Defensive Line Rotations

The defensive front saw heavy rotation:

Christian Barmore led with 71% of snaps

Davon Godchaux and Lawrence Guy Sr. each played 56%

Deatrich Wise Jr. saw 49% of snaps

This rotation strategy aims to keep the line fresh and adapt to various offensive looks, potentially helping to keep the score manageable for when Maye takes the reins.

Linebacker Deployment

The linebacker corps showed interesting usage:

Ja’Whaun Bentley played every defensive snap

Jahlani Tavai saw 84% of snaps

Mack Wilson Sr. was on the field for 40% of plays

This distribution highlights the importance of versatile linebackers in the Patriots’ scheme, which could be crucial in supporting a young quarterback by creating turnovers and favorable field position.

Secondary Adjustments

The secondary saw some notable patterns:

Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers each played 100% of snaps