The Arizona Cardinals played 88 defensive snaps in Week 1 against the Detroit Lions. How was the playing time split up and what can we learn from it?
Defensive line
Zach Allen, 64; Rodney Gunter, 61; Corey Peters, 53; Clinton McDonald, 25; Jonathan Bullard, 16
Michael Dogbe was inactive. They did a good job of rotating in and out and, because of the Lions going with three receivers, there were often only two linemen on the field.
Linebackers
Jordan Hicks, 88; Chandler Jones, 85; Terrell Suggs, 68; Haason Reddick, 52; Joe Walker, 36; Cassius Marsh, 14; Brooks Reed, 11
What was interesting is how the snaps went at inside linebacker. Joe Walker played heavily early on with Reddick coming in for clear coverage or pass-rushing situations. However, after Walker was beaten for a big play by T.J. Hockensen, Reddick played much more.
Jones played a little more than I expected. Suggs played slightly more and Reed played less.
Defensive backs
Budda Baker, 88; Byron Murphy, 88; D.J. Swearinger, 88; Tramaine Brock, 72; Chris Jones, 59
This went roughly as expected. However, what was interesting was that Jones didn’t only play in nickel downs. He subbed in for Brock on some base sets for run support. The Cardinals were in nickel 43 plays.
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