Mike Reiss, ESPN Staff Writer 11y

Offensive snaps: Ringing up 94

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- When analzying the snap counts played by skill-position players in the Patriots' 31-21 win over the Broncos, the first thing that stands out is the sheer volume of snaps.

Utilizing an up-tempo no-huddle attack that could be described as the offense's version of a blitz, the Patriots totaled 94 snaps (not including kneel-downs, does include penalties). That is easily a season high, and might be an all-time, non-overtime high in the Bill Belichick era.

There is a fine line between playing fast and out of control and the Patriots, with quarterback Tom Brady leading the way, expertly navigated it all.

For a comparison, the high total for snaps charted in a game last year was 80. Going back to 2009, it was 83.

QB Tom Brady -- 94 of 94

TE Rob Gronkowski -- 94 of 94

WR Brandon Lloyd -- 91 of 94

WR Wes Welker -- 87 of 94

WR Deion Branch -- 61 of 94

RB Stevan Ridley -- 45 of 94

TE Daniel Fells -- 35 of 94

RB Brandon Bolden -- 22 of 94

RB Danny Woodhead -- 20 of 94

RB Shane Vereen -- 6 of 94

TE Nick McDonald -- 4 of 94

WR Matthew Slater -- 3 of 94

FB Dan Connolly -- 2 of 94

ANALYSIS: There weren't a lot of substitutions because the offense was playing so fast. ... Brandon Lloyd and Wes Welker were the constants at receiver, while Rob Gronkowski was at tight end. Then it was just a question of whether receiver Deion Branch or Daniel Fells would be the fourth option. ... The running backs were ready to integrate into the mix, staying alert on the sideline and sprinting into the game when their number was called. Most of the time, the backs got a string of snaps in a row, with Stevan Ridley clearly the No. 1 option.  Ridley got 21 snaps in the first half and 24 in the second half.

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