The third preseason game is often considered the final dry run for starters before the regular season starts in September.

With the first team playing into the second half in most cases, snap counts can also give an indication of who is still fighting for a roster spot, who has one wrapped up and who might have played their last game as a Lion against Jacksonville on Friday.

Here's a peek and some analysis on the offensive snap counts:

QUARTERBACKS:

Matthew Stafford 33 snaps (53 percent); Dan Orlovsky 21 snaps (34 percent); Kellen Moore 8 snaps (13 percent).

Analysis: This is what was expected during the third preseason game. Unless Stafford makes a very, very brief cameo against Buffalo, he's done until the regular season. Orlovsky could play some against the Bills, but it will probably be the Moore show as he fights for a roster spot. If James Franklin survives this week's cuts, he could finally see snaps, too.

RUNNING BACKS:

George Winn 17 snaps (27 percent); Mikel Leshoure 16 snaps (26 percent); Theo Riddick 15 snaps (24 percent); Joique Bell 13 snaps (21 percent); Reggie Bush 5 snaps (8 percent).

Analysis: Bush didn't need any more work after his 86-yard touchdown run and there is enough competition for spots behind him that the Lions wanted to give both Winn and Leshoure a lot of work. Both fumbled and neither separated themselves. Steven Miller had no running back snaps according to the box score, so that probably doesn't bode well for his future with the Lions.

FULLBACKS:

Jed Collins 10 snaps (16 percent); Chad Abram 10 snaps (16 percent).

Analysis: Montell Owens would have received some snaps here, but he missed almost all of the game with a head injury suffered on special teams. Some decent exposure for Abram, who likely remains a practice squad candidate.

WIDE RECEIVERS:

Golden Tate 25 snaps (40 percent); Jeremy Ross 20 snaps (32 percent); Calvin Johnson 20 snaps (32 percent); Patrick Edwards 17 snaps (27 percent); Ryan Broyles 16 snaps (26 percent); Corey Fuller 15 snaps (24 percent); Kevin Ogletree 11 snaps (18 percent); Kris Durham 9 snaps (15 percent); Andrew Peacock 6 snaps (10 percent); Conner Vernon 1 snap (2 percent).

Analysis: The tightest position battle on the Lions saw a bunch of guys see about equal snaps. Johnson got his preseason work in and he'll likely next appear in the regular season opener. Broyles and Edwards took snaps with reserves. Wouldn't read a ton into Ogletree or Durham's snaps as they all came with the first team. The Lions gave Ross some run throughout the game as they probably tried to see how he could fare in a receiver role along with his established returner spot.

TIGHT ENDS:

Joseph Fauria 26 snaps (42 percent); Eric Ebron 17 snaps (27 percent); Brandon Pettigrew 15 snaps (24 percent); Jordan Thompson 13 snaps (21 percent); Jacob Maxwell 13 snaps (21 percent).

Analysis: Fauria can play both inside and outside so he continues to receive a good chunk of tight end snaps. The Lions didn't need to run the veteran Pettigrew out too much and Ebron saw time throughout the game as well. All three should be ready to go for the season.

OFFENSIVE TACKLE:

Riley Reiff 33 snaps (53 percent); Corey Hilliard 30 snaps (48 percent); Michael Williams 27 snaps (44 percent); LaAdrian Waddle 17 snaps (27 percent); Cornelius Lucas 17 snaps (27 percent); Bryce Quigley 8 snaps (13 percent).

Analysis: Reiff and Hilliard saw starter's snaps, although Waddle played with the first team in the second half as he and Hilliard continue to compete for the starting right tackle spot. The more interesting development continues to be Williams, who played left tackle with the second unit and right tackle with the third unit for a while. That he has emergency tight end capabilities as well makes him somewhat intriguing as a roster option over Lucas, who ran almost exclusively with the third team.

INTERIOR LINEMEN:

Rob Sims 33 snaps (53 percent); Larry Warford 33 snaps (53 percent); Dominic Raiola 33 snaps (53 percent); Travis Swanson 21 snaps (34 percent); Rodney Austin 21 snaps (34 percent); Darren Keyton 17 snaps (27 percent); Garrett Reynolds 12 snaps (19 percent); A.J. Dalton 8 snaps (13 percent).

Analysis: Sims, Warford and Raiola played with the first team, as expected. Swanson and Austin were second-team fixtures and appear to be the leaders for reserve linemen spots. Reynolds played with the second team for the most part as well, but appears behind both Austin and Swanson for a roster spot.