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Lions offensive snap analysis vs. Giants

The Detroit Lions woke up Tuesday morning probably feeling pretty good after a 35-14 win over the New York Giants.

How did it happen?

Here’s a look at how the Lions broke down their snaps on offense on Monday night.

QUARTERBACKS:

Matthew Stafford 67 snaps (100 percent)

Analysis: The Lions obviously want this all season. More so, they want the performance Stafford had, where he was 22 of 32 for 346 yards and three touchdowns (two passing, one rushing). This was the best Stafford has looked in his career.

RUNNING BACKS:

Joique Bell 35 snaps (52 percent); Reggie Bush 30 snaps (45 percent); Theo Riddick 5 snaps (7 percent).

Analysis: This was about what to expect from Detroit every week. Bell had more snaps -- and appeared to be the primary rusher. At least a third of Bush’s snaps came with him lined up as a wide receiver, indicating his Darren Sproles-esque role in the Lions offense. Riddick saw more time on special teams (18 snaps) than he did as a running back. Until the fourth quarter, though, neither Bell nor Bush were effective.

FULLBACKS:

Jed Collins 17 snaps (25 percent); Montell Owens 1 snap (1 percent).

Analysis: This signifies Collins is going to be the primary blocking back, and Owens is a special teams player with minimum offensive value. Owens had 18 special teams snaps, and Collins only had three. Expect both to be active most weeks, though.

WIDE RECEIVERS:

Golden Tate 55 snaps (82 percent); Calvin Johnson 54 snaps (81 percent); Jeremy Ross 35 snaps (52 percent); Corey Fuller 15 snaps (22 percent)

Analysis: One of the biggest takeaways from Monday night was how the Lions used Johnson. He was on the sidelines more than usual in recent memory (when healthy), but that’s part of the plan. Still surprising to see Tate with more snaps than him, though. Detroit kept only four receivers active, and Ross actually picked up the start, too. Fuller filled in on special teams when Bill Bentley hurt his knee (7 snaps), and Ross is a key special teams player (11 snaps).

TIGHT ENDS:

Brandon Pettigrew 39 snaps (58 percent); Joseph Fauria 29 snaps (43 percent); Eric Ebron 20 snaps (30 percent).

Analysis: Pettigrew played more as a blocking tight end, only seeing one target for a nine-yard catch. Fauria lined up a bunch of places on the field, as did Ebron. Expect to eventually see Ebron’s snaps increase, but a good amount for the rookie in his first game.

OFFENSIVE TACKLE:

Riley Reiff 67 snaps (100 percent); Corey Hilliard 62 snaps (93 percent); LaAdrian Waddle 5 snaps (7 percent).

Analysis: Waddle injured his calf on the first drive and did not return, opening an opportunity for Hilliard to play the rest of the game. It was interesting the Lions kept only three tackles up, and it almost cost Detroit because Hilliard twisted his leg late in the game.

INTERIOR LINEMEN:

Rob Sims 67 snaps (100 percent); Dominic Raiola 67 snaps (100 percent); Larry Warford 67 snaps (100 percent)

Analysis: Status quo here for Detroit and what it wants to see all season long. Travis Swanson only played special teams, with nine snaps -- including on kick return.