Zone Read: Eagles-Vikings, the Day After


SNAP COUNTS

The offense:

Total SnapsPercentage Of Snaps
QUARTERBACKS
Nick Foles69100%
RUNNING BACKS
LeSean McCoy5783%
Bryce Brown34%
Chris Polk913%
WIDE RECEIVERS
DeSean Jackson6391%
Riley Cooper6188%
Jason Avant5884%
Jeff Maehl812%
Brad Smith34%
Damaris Johnson23%
TIGHT ENDS
Zach Ertz4565%
Brent Celek3145%
James Casey57%

The most noteworthy item on offense is that Ertz (45 snaps) played more than Brent Celek (31 snaps). The guess here is that Ertz is a more viable receiver, and since the Eagles barely ran the ball, they decided to get the rookie on the field more.

Also, Brad Smith, Jeff Maehl and Damaris Johnson all rotated in as the fourth receiver. Smith might deserve all those snaps going forward.

Chris Polk played nine snaps, compared to three for Bryce Brown. Neither back had a carry.

The defense:

Total SnapsPercentage Of Snaps
DEFENSIVE LINE
Fletcher Cox6384%
Bennie Logan5067%
Cedric Thornton4763%
Vinny Curry2229%
Clifton Geathers1115%
Damion Square912%
OUTSIDE LBs
Connor Barwin75100%
Trent Cole5573%
Brandon Graham2027%
INSIDE LBs
Mychal Kendricks75100%
DeMeco Ryans7499%
CORNERBACKS
Bradley Fletcher75100%
Cary Williams6688%
Brandon Boykin1723%
Roc Carmichael1216%
SAFETIES
Nate Allen75100%
Patrick Chung4965%
Kurt Coleman2635%
Colt Anderson45%

Chung got benched for Kurt Coleman, but both guys played.

Brandon Boykin suffered an injury, forcing the Eagles to go with a three-safety look (Chung, Coleman and Allen). That did not work out so well.

***

GUESSING THE LINE

The Eagles host the Bears. Both teams are 8-6 and have the exact same point differential (+15).

As mentioned earlier, the Eagles might not have a ton to play for. Chicago, meanwhile, could be tied with the Lions for first place after Detroit’s matchup with the Ravens tonight.

I’ll make the Eagles a 1-point favorite because they’re at home. Overall, this should be a really even matchup.

Follow Sheil Kapadia on Twitter and e-mail him at skapadia@phillymag.com.
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