Pats Pulpit
Taking a 30-7 halftime lead over the New York Giants on Monday Night Football, the New England Patriots were able to take their foot off the gas a bit in the second half. This, in turn, allowed for the team’s depth players to see some increased opportunities particularly on the defensive side of the ball.
One of the beneficiaries was Elijah Ponder.
Serving as the Patriots’ third outside linebacker behind Harold Landry and K’Lavon Chaisson against the Giants, the undrafted free agent out of Cal Poly played a career-high 29 defensive snaps for a playing time share of 53%. He registered two tackles as well as his third sack of the season. In addition, Ponder also was on the field for 16 special teams snaps (62%) and recovered a fumble in the second quarter.
After entering the season as little more than a rotational depth piece, he steadily increased his role following the trade that sent fellow edge Keion White to San Francisco. Over the five games since White left, Ponder has played 29% of defensive snaps compared to 13% over the previous six weeks.
The arrow is pointing up, something echoed by his position coach last week.
“He’s just getting better every week,” said Mike Smith. “There are still a handful of things he’s got to work on and always got to work on, but he’s just a kid. We’re lucky to get him. He was a great find. He’s a great one.”
Here is our full snap count report from the Patriots’ 33-15 win at Gillette Stadium.
Total snaps: 65 | Time on the field: 32:33 | *denotes starter
QB Drake Maye* (65; 100%), LT Vederian Lowe* (65; 100%), LG Ben Brown* (65; 100%), C Garrett Bradbury* (65; 100%), RG Mike Onwenu* (65; 100%), RT Morgan Moses* (65; 100%), WR Kayshon Boutte* (49; 75%), WR Mack Hollins* (49; 75%), TE Hunter Henry* (49; 75%), RB Rhamondre Stevenson* (38; 58%), RB TreVeyon Henderson (32; 49%), WR Stefon Diggs* (31; 48%), TE Austin Hooper (25; 38%), WR DeMario Douglas (22; 34%), WR Kyle Williams (14; 22%), FB/TE Jack Westover (8; 12%), OT/TE Thayer Munford Jr. (6; 9%), WR Efton Chism III (2; 3%)
Following the injuries suffered by Will Campbell and Jared Wilson, the Patriots introduced a new left side of the offensive lines. Vederian Lowe started at tackle, with Ben Brown flanking him at guard. The pair, just like the rest of the offensive line, went wire-to-wire and generally looked good against a talented Giants front.
New England, of course, made sure not to put them in potentially dangerous situations as well. The team used its running backs to chip the edges on occasion, while the tight ends — including fullback Jack Westover and backup tackle Thayer Munford Jr. — both saw regular snaps next to Lowe. It was a good plan well executed by the players on the field.
Elsewhere on offense, the Patriots did not make any major changes compared to past weeks. The...
