CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- A look at snaps played by Patriots offensive skill-position players in the team's 24-20 loss to the Panthers, while analyzing what it means (as charted in press box, small margin for error):
QB Tom Brady -- 72-of-72
TE Rob Gronkowski -- 63-of-72
WR Julian Edelman -- 59-of-72
WR Aaron Dobson -- 53-of-72
WR Danny Amendola -- 49-of-72
RB Shane Vereen -- 34-of-72
RB LeGarrette Blount -- 19-of-72
FB James Develin -- 19-of-72
RB Stevan Ridley -- 19-of-72
TE Michael Hoomanawanui -- 15-of-72
TE Matthew Mulligan -- 14-of-72
WR Kenbrell Thompkins -- 14-of-72
WR Josh Boyce -- 2-of-72
(Penalties included.)
ANALYSIS: The return of Vereen (34 snaps) off the injured reserve list stands out, as he was the team's primary "passing back." The snaps were more evenly distributed among the top three backs before the final 11-play drive, which was all Vereen because his skills are the best match for that setting. ... Ridley played six snaps after his lost fumble in the second quarter. Part of that was the team wanting to get Blount (19 snaps) going, as well as the situation (end-of-game situation). ... Gronkowski's 63 snaps were a season high, as he had averaged 44 snaps per game in his first three games back. ... Thompkins (14 snaps) served as the No. 4 receiver behind Edelman (59), Dobson (53) and Amendola (49). ... Of Develin's 19 snaps, 13 came after Hoomanawanui left with a knee injury as the team utilized some two-back sets over two-TE sets.