DENVER – A look at snaps played by Patriots defenders in Sunday’s win over the Broncos, while analyzing what it might mean (as charted in press box, small margin for error):

CB Devin McCourty – 60 of 60

CB Kyle Arrington – 59 of 60

S James Ihedigbo – 59 of 60

LB Jerod Mayo – 59 of 60

LB/DE Rob Ninkovich – 54 of 60

DL Vince Wilfork – 50 of 60

DL Brandon Deaderick – 42 of 60

S Sergio Brown – 39 of 60

DB Nate Jones – 37 of 60

DE/OLB Mark Anderson – 36 of 60

DL Kyle Love – 29 of 60

LB Tracy White – 25 of 60

LB Dane Fletcher – 24 of 60

DE/OLB Andre Carter – 20 of 60

DL Shaun Ellis – 12 of 60

LB Gary Guyton – 12 of 60

DE Eric Moore – 11 of 60

DL Gerard Warren – 11 of 60

DL Ron Brace – 10 of 60

S Matthew Slater – 10 of 60

CB Antwaun Molden – 1 of 60

(Offensive and defensive holding penalties included.)

ANALYSIS: With DE Andre Carter leaving the game on a cart late in the first quarter, Mark Anderson saw his playing time spike. Anderson had played just three of the first 20 snaps. He played 33 of the final 40, and is now a top candidate to take on more full-time work. … The 60 snaps were the second fewest in a game this season, behind only 54 in the first meeting against the Jets. … The defensive linemen were rotated more liberally, likely because of the altitude factor. … LB Jerod Mayo played every snap but the final one. … Starting MLB Dane Fletcher was replaced by Gary Guyton late in the second half. Guyton has fallen out of favor as of late, but perhaps his late action is a sign he will be integrated more into the mix. … Safety Matthew Slater was replaced by Sergio Brown after one play of the second drive and didn’t play on defense again. He had a tough opening stretch.