Eagles Snap Count Breakdown: Week 16 Takeaways from Win Over Commanders
The Eagles took care of business in Week 16 with a win over the Washington Commanders, and the snap counts give us a deeper look at how they managed the game - especially with the chance to rest starters late. Let’s dive into the numbers and what they tell us about the state of this team heading into the final stretch.
Offense
Jordan Mailata continues to be the ironman of the offense, leading the team in total offensive snaps played this season. His consistency at left tackle has been a stabilizing force for an offensive line that’s battled injuries and shifting lineups.
With the game well in hand late, the Eagles pulled several key starters on offense - a luxury they haven’t always had this season.
A.J. Brown and Dallas Goedert led all pass-catchers in snaps.
Brown saw a team-high 12 targets, continuing to be the focal point of the passing game. Goedert, on the other hand, was only targeted three times - a bit surprising considering Washington’s defense has struggled to contain tight ends all year.
Still, Goedert made the most of his limited chances, turning those three targets into three catches for 32 yards and a touchdown. Efficient, but you can’t help but wonder what more volume might’ve looked like.
Saquon Barkley played his fifth-lowest snap share of the season, but don’t let that fool you - he still racked up 132 yards from scrimmage, his second-highest total of the year. Barkley didn’t need a heavy workload to make a big impact, which is exactly what you want to see this late in the season.
Behind him, Tank Bigsby and Will Shipley split backup duties evenly in terms of snaps, but the production was far from equal. Bigsby made the most of his four carries, piling up 37 yards and a touchdown - pushing his season average to a strong 6.6 yards per carry.
When Bigsby gets touches, good things tend to happen. Shipley, meanwhile, struggled.
He didn’t get a carry, caught one pass for three yards, and had a pair of questionable decisions on kick returns, including a fumble on the opening kickoff. That’s the kind of stuff that can cost a young player opportunities.
With Cameron Latu sidelined, Kylen Granson saw a bump in playing time at tight end, while Darius Cooper remained in a limited WR4 role.
E.J. Jenkins, temporarily elevated from the practice squad, saw some offensive snaps as the Eagles rotated in depth players late.
Defense
Zack Baun has quietly become the ironman on the defensive side, now leading the team in total defensive snaps this season - edging out Cooper DeJean by just one snap. Baun’s versatility and reliability have kept him on the field in a variety of packages.
With Jalen Carter inactive, Moro Ojomo continued to see extended time on the interior defensive line. He’s been solid, if not spectacular, over the past three games, registering one sack, a tackle for loss, and two QB hits. That’s decent production, but he may benefit from sliding back into a more rotational DT2 role once Carter returns.
Nolan Smith led all edge rushers in snaps this week, surpassing Jaelan Phillips. While Smith’s stat line wasn’t eye-popping, he did notch a quarterback hit and looked active throughout. Sometimes the box score doesn’t tell the full story - and in Smith’s case, the tape shows a player who’s starting to find his rhythm.
Jihaad Campbell saw a noticeable uptick in playing time, stepping in for Nakobe Dean, who left early with a hamstring injury. Campbell's increased role could continue if Dean misses more time.
Jordan Davis played his eighth-lowest snap percentage of the season, but when he was on the field, he made his presence felt. He led the team with six stops - tackles that result in offensive failures - and consistently disrupted plays at the line. Davis is rounding into dominant form, and that’s a scary thought for opposing offenses.
Brandon Graham continues to be the definition of efficient. Over the past two games, he’s played just 16 total snaps - and turned that into three sacks and two tackles for loss. The two-time Super Bowl champ is thriving in a rotational role, and the Eagles would be wise to keep giving him opportunities, especially with some of those snaps coming on the interior.
Sydney Brown and Kelee Ringo saw late-game action as the Eagles rested starters. Ringo unfortunately drew a pass interference flag that set up a Washington touchdown - a learning moment for the rookie.
And speaking of rookies, Brandon Johnson, an undrafted free agent corner, made his NFL regular season debut. A milestone moment for the young defensive back.
Special Teams
It was a rough outing for Jake Elliott, who missed three field goal attempts - though one was wiped off the board by a penalty. Still, two official misses is uncharacteristic for one of the league’s more reliable kickers.
Braden Mann has barely been needed lately, punting just three times over the last two games. That’s a good sign for an offense that’s been staying on schedule and finishing drives. Mann had been averaging 4.5 punts per game before this recent stretch.
Inactive List
- Lane Johnson
- Jalen Carter
- Cameron Latu
- Joshua Uche
- A.J. Dillon
- Mac McWilliams
- Sam Howell
Final Word
This was a game where the Eagles could afford to manage snaps and get a look at some depth pieces, and that’s exactly what they did. Veterans like Barkley and Graham showed they can still deliver in limited roles, while young players like Davis, Smith, and Campbell continue to grow into bigger responsibilities. With the postseason looming, the Eagles are getting healthier, deeper, and more balanced - and that’s exactly where you want to be in Week 16.