EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Snaps played by New England Patriots defenders in Sunday's 17-16 win against the Jets (penalties included):
DEFENSIVE END
Chandler Jones -- 63 of 63
Rob Ninkovich -- 63 of 63
Akeem Ayers -- 5 of 63
Quick-hit thoughts: With Chandler Jones returning to a full-time role, and the Patriots focusing more on stopping the run, it resulted in a significant dip in playing time for Akeem Ayers, who was used solely as a pass-rusher in a lighter nickel front. The five snaps for Ayers were easily a season-low with the Patriots. Ninkovich continues to add miles to his odometer as he is essentially been a 100-percent play-time option since Week 2 of the season, playing more snaps than any defensive lineman in the NFL.
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
Vince Wilfork -- 56 of 63
Sealver Siliga -- 47 of 63
Alan Branch -- 26 of 63
Chris Jones -- 9 of 63
Quick-hit thoughts: The Patriots' focus on loading up the box and stopping the run was reflective in the playing-time totals at this position, as the club leaned more on its bigger defensive tackles in Vince Wilfork (6-foot-2, 325 pounds), Sealver Siliga (6-2, 325) and Alan Branch (6-6, 325), playing them as a trio on 26 snaps to provide a sturdy presence at the line of scrimmage. Chris Jones (6-1, 309), who is more of a penetrating presence than a hold-the-fort option, saw a significant reduction in snaps as a result of that change; his nine were easily a season-low.
LINEBACKER
Jamie Collins -- 63 of 63
Dont'a Hightower -- 63 of 63
Quick-hit thoughts: Collins and Hightower continue to impress, with no third option playing in the game because the Patriots ran their base defense with essentially five down linemen (edge players Chandler Jones and Rob Ninkovich could technically be viewed as outside linebackers at times). It seems like yesterday we were turning on sports-talk radio around these parts and hearing about how the Patriots were making mistakes by passing on players like Vikings receiver Cordarrelle Patterson to select Collins in 2013, and how Hightower was close to being a first-round bust. That script has changed.
CORNERBACK
Brandon Browner -- 63 of 63
Darrelle Revis -- 63 of 63
Logan Ryan -- 32 of 63
Quick-hit thoughts: With top No. 3 option Kyle Arrington inactive because of a hamstring injury, Logan Ryan stepped into that role when the Patriots went to a sub package with three cornerbacks. They also ran a sub package with three safeties at times. But the main takeaway from this position is that Brandon Browner (no penalties) and Darrelle Revis are locked in at the top.
SAFETY
Devin McCourty -- 63 of 63
Patrick Chung -- 48 of 63
Duron Harmon -- 20 of 63
Tavon Wilson -- 9 of 63
Quick-hit thoughts: We wouldn't be surprised to see Chung show up on the injury report this week, as this wasn't his best game and he looked hobbled at times. The Patriots had a specific matchup based on what personnel the Jets had in the game, so there were times when Chung was taken off in favor of more of a coverage option in Duron Harmon. That has been standard operating procedure for most of the season. Wilson, playing in sub, had one big tackle for the second time in three weeks.