Jaguars vs. Broncos: Snap count analysis

What do the snap counts from Jacksonville's 26-24 win on Sunday mean?

While watching a game live can give you one impression of a player's usage, looking at the actual amount of snaps they played compared to their teammates can also give insight into the team's strategy and outlook.

When looking at the snap counts for the Jacksonville Jaguars after their 26-24 victory against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, it is clear to see what kind of plan the Jaguars went into the game with, and what limitations they had from a personnel standpoint.

Who played a lot, and why? Did the snaps mean anything or nothing? We examine below:

Offense (85 snaps)

OG Andrew Norwell: 85

C Brandon Linder: 85

OT Jawaan Taylor: 85

OT Cam Robinson: 85

QB Gardner Minshew: 85

RB Leonard Fournette: 71

WR Chris Conley: 66

WR DJ Chark: 62

WR Dede Westbrook: 53

TE James O'Shaughnessy: 50

OG A.J. Cann: 50

TE Geoff Swaim: 41

OG Will Richardson: 35

WR Marqise Lee: 25

TE Seth DeValve: 22

RB Ryquell Armstead: 14

OT Cedric Ogbuehi: 11

WR Keelan Cole: 10

• 85 snaps is the most the Jaguars offense had been on a field in one game this season so a large amount of snaps for many players such as Geoff Swaim is not too surprising, but with the increase in offensive snaps it was good to see offensive coordinator John DeFilippo give Leonard Fournette 14 snaps off of the field, the most snaps he has been given off in any game all season. The lack of a running back rotation was a focus for the first three weeks, and the Jaguars responded by giving Ryquell Armstead his season-high in snaps.
• Will Richardson replaced A.J. Cann at right guard in the lineup at some point in the second half after Cann gave up a sack to Broncos defensive lineman Demarcus Walker. Cann and Richardson would rotate throughout the last several series, but it is clear from the snap count that the Jaguars are still viewing the position as a competition. 
• Marqise Lee played his season high in snaps but Keelan Cole still struggled to get on the field despite the offense playing almost 100 snaps. Each player did record their first catches of the season, with both coming on crucial second half 3rd downs.

Defense (55 snaps)

FS Jarrod Wilson: 55

LB Myles Jack: 55

LB Quincy Williams: 55

CB Tre Herndon: 55

CB A.J. Bouye: 55

SS Ronnie Harrison: 52

DE Calais Campbell: 45

DE Yannick Ngakoue: 45

DE Josh Allen: 38 

CB D.J. Hayden: 34 

DT Marcell Dareus: 29

DT Abry Jones: 24

DE Dawuane Smoot: 24 

LB Leon Jacobs: 21

DT Taven Bryan: 12

DE Lerentee McCray: 3

SS Andrew Wingard: 3  

• For the fourth straight game, free safety Jarrod Wilson played every snap for the Jaguars defense, and he is still the only Jaguar to play every defensive snap this season. Defensive coordinator Todd Wash said on Thursday that Wilson is the secondary's primary communicator, and that along with his high snap count shows the trust the team has in the first-year starter.
• The Jaguars defense used a true rotation at defensive tackle with Abry Jones, Dawuane Smoot and Marcell Dareus, but Taven Bryan played a season-low 12 snaps. He has only cracked 20 snaps once this season (week 3 with 22), and it is a bit puzzling considering he has showed much improved playmaking ability this season. The Jaguars struggled to get to Flacco on Sunday, so it would have been nice to see Bryan get a few more cracks at him.