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          New England Patriots

          Patriots' defensive snaps: Alan Branch rises

          • Mike Reiss, ESPN Staff WriterNov 24, 2014, 07:00 AM ET
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              Mike Reiss is an NFL reporter at ESPN and covers the New England Patriots. Reiss has covered the Patriots since 1997 and joined ESPN in 2009. In 2019, he was named Massachusetts Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sports Media Association. You can follow Reiss on Twitter at @MikeReiss.
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          FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Snaps played by New England Patriots defenders in Sunday's win over the Detroit Lions (penalties included; kneel-downs not included):

          DEFENSIVE TACKLE

          Vince Wilfork -- 63 of 81

          Chris Jones -- 46 of 81

          Alan Branch -- 29 of 81

          Quick-hit thoughts: It has been a steady progression for Branch, who played 12 snaps in his debut against the Broncos, followed up with 18 against the Colts, and increased his workload to 29 against the Lions. He showed up several times Sunday with strong play up front and when he's in the game alongside Wilfork, it's two big, physical, strong players who are hard to move. ... Chris Jones showed some versatility in this game, kicking outside at times to fill Dominique Easley's void.

          DEFENSIVE END

          Rob Ninkovich -- 81 of 81

          Akeem Ayers -- 63 of 81

          Zach Moore --15 of 81

          Quick-hit thoughts: Ayers continues to contribute since being acquired in a midseason trade with the Titans, as he mostly played right end in the team's nickel front. The Patriots did have a four-man line combination with tackle Chris Jones playing some end.

          LINEBACKER

          Jamie Collins -- 81 of 81

          Dont'a Hightower -- 74 of 81

          Jonathan Casillas -- 21 of 81

          Quick-hit thoughts: Hightower played every snap up until the final drive when the outcome was decided. ... Casillas was the third linebacker in the base 4-3 defense, as his acquisition at the trade deadline not only added a strong special teams player but someone who is also contributing on defense in a niche role.

          CORNERBACK

          Brandon Browner -- 80 of 81

          Darrelle Revis -- 74 of 81

          Kyle Arrington -- 36 of 81

          Logan Ryan -- 33 of 81

          Alfonzo Dennard -- 7 of 81

          Quick-hit thoughts: Browner's lone snap on the sideline came as part of a goal-line package. ... Revis played every snap up until the final drive. ... Dennard didn't play until the final drive. ... Arrington was the top option in the slot, but when he left with a head injury in the third quarter, Ryan took his place for the remainder of the day.

          SAFETY

          Devin McCourty -- 73 of 81

          Patrick Chung -- 71 of 81

          Duron Harmon -- 28 of 81

          Tavon Wilson -- 9 of 81

          Nate Ebner -- 7 of 81

          Quick-hit thoughts: McCourty played all but one snap (on the goal line) up until the final drive of the game. ... Chung was subbed out at times in place of Harmon for a bit more of a coverage element. ... All of Ebner's snaps came on the final drive, while seven of Wilson's nine snaps came on the final drive.