FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Snaps played by New England Patriots defenders in Sunday's 43-21 win against the Denver Broncos (including penalties but not kneel-downs):

DEFENSIVE END

Rob Ninkovich -- 82 of 82

Akeem Ayers -- 77 of 82

Quick-hit thoughts: Unexpected to see Ayers, who just arrived two weeks ago, excel in a front-line role. That is a credit to him and the coaching staff for an interchangeable defensive game plan that tapped the versatility of Ninkovich, Ayers, Jamie Collins and Dont'a Hightower to disguise intentions and keep Denver quarterback Peyton Manning guessing on who was coming. Ayers, who has experience playing both on and off the line of scrimmage, mostly lined up at right defensive end. ... Ninkovich's versatility to rush, set a hard edge in the running game, and drop back into coverage makes him a valued chess piece as well, as we saw on his second-quarter interception.

DEFENSIVE TACKLE

Vince Wilfork -- 62 of 82

Chris Jones -- 41 of 82

Dominique Easley -- 32 of 82

Casey Walker -- 18 of 82

Alan Branch -- 12 of 82

Quick-hit thoughts: Most of the game was played with just two defensive tackles on the field, with the primary responsibility of players in this spot to help defend the run despite lighter numbers in the box. ... Easley was back to more of a sub-rushing role, coming on in obvious passing situations. ... Branch was sprinkled in over four different series, playing nine first-half snaps and three in the second half as he works himself into game shape.

LINEBACKER

Collins -- 82 of 82

Hightower -- 82 of 82

Jonathan Casillas -- 1 of 82

Quick-hit thoughts: Ironman efforts from Collins and Hightower. The lone snap for Casillas came on the one play the Patriots were in a base 4-3 alignment, which technically was negated by an illegal formation penalty.

CORNERBACK

Darrelle Revis -- 81 of 82

Brandon Browner -- 81 of 82

Kyle Arrington -- 54 of 82

Malcolm Butler -- 36 of 82

Logan Ryan -- 4 of 82

Quick-hit thoughts: This was Browner's third game, and his snaps played over that span show the progression of him transitioning back into the lineup -- 41 of 87 against the Jets; 57 of 70 against the Bears; and then almost wire-to-wire against the Broncos. The one snap he and Revis didn't play came on the goal-line on Ronnie Hillman's 1-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. ... Arrington was solid in the slot against Wes Welker. ... With Alfonzo Dennard a healthy scratch, Butler seized the opportunity to be active and made the most of it, leaping over Ryan as well on the depth chart.

SAFETY

Devin McCourty -- 82 of 82

Patrick Chung -- 69 of 82

Duron Harmon -- 3 of 83

Tavon Wilson -- 3 of 83

Quick-hit thoughts: Chung was active in the game, subbing out at times in favor of a fourth cornerback in the nickel. ... McCourty continues to serve as the steady quarterback of the secondary. ... Harmon and Wilson came on late for the final three plays of the game in dime.