clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Vikings vs. Rams snap counts: What happened to the tight ends?

The Rams used a little different mix of personnel this week, according to the snap count data from the NFL.

Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

The St. Louis Rams offense played a total of 81 snaps in Sunday's loss to the Vikings, 81 mostly forgettable, sometimes quizzical, occasionally upsetting snaps. The league released the snap count information for the games on Monday, and the numbers reveal a few minor surprises for the Rams.

Brandon Gibson had more offensive snaps than any other receiver with 64 out of 81. Danny Amendola was right behind him with 61 snaps. Chris Givens played 50 snaps. Austin Pettis played 40 snaps. Rookie Brian Quick played more snaps than he has all season with 26, which included two catches on three targets and a touchdown.

Harvey Dahl left the game with a torn triceps after 71 snaps. Shelly Smith replaced him. The other offensive linemen all saw the entirety of offensive snaps this week.

Steven Jackson and Daryl Richardson saw nearly identical snap counts, with 41 for the veteran and 40 for the rookie.

Lance Kendricks had 58 snaps, which was a little lower than previous percentages for him. I think that was reflected in the blocking struggles, especially the constant harassment the Vikings were giving Sam Bradford.

On defense, the numbers were fairly standard. Craig Dahl, Quintin Mikell, James Laurinaitis, Cortland Finnegan and Jo-Lonn Dunbar all played at least 98 percent of the 59 total snaps. Janoris Jenkins had 51 snaps.

The defensive line rotation featured a heavy dose of Chris Long, who led all defensive linemen with 49 snaps. Kendall Langford, 44, and Michael Brockers, 43, were next among that position group. Eugene Sims played more this week with 33 snaps. Robert Quinn had 35, and Williams Hayes played 20 snaps this week. Quinn, you'll recall, was limited last week since he was recovering from a concussion. Jermelle Cudjo saw 18 snaps.

The Rams didn't overdo it on the nickel, not against Adrian Peterson and Christian Ponder. Trumaine Johnson played just 13 snaps. No other safety beyond Mikell and Dahl saw the field with the defense. The marginalization of Bradley Fletcher continued with the veteran getting just two snaps.