NEW ORLEANS -- New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia made several notable changes in Sunday's 36-20 victory against the New Orleans Saints as the unit took a step in the right direction.

Three that stood out:

• After playing most of the opener in a dime package, the win against the Saints was mostly a "big nickel" game with three safeties. In simple terms, that meant one fewer defensive back (take off Jordan Richards) on the field, with one additional linebacker (add Elandon Roberts).

• Veteran defensive tackle Alan Branch, whose play in the opener was notably down on film review, had a significantly reduced role (just six snaps).

• Cornerback Eric Rowe opened the game as the starter opposite of Stephon Gilmore in place of Malcolm Butler. When the more traditional nickel package was called upon, adding a third cornerback and taking off a third safety, Butler entered the game.

Those defensive changes provide the springboard to this week's snap-count analysis:

Offensive snaps: 76

Defensive snaps: 65

LINEBACKER

Kyle Van Noy -- 65

Elandon Roberts -- 36

Harvey Langi -- 6

David Harris -- 1

Playing without Dont'a Hightower, a clearer picture is emerging of how Patricia views linebacker personnel, with Van Noy playing every snap for the second game in a row and Roberts (9 snaps last week) the No. 2 player on the depth chart. Veteran David Harris (two snaps last week) is the third option, and because the Patriots are seldom in their base defense with three linebackers, he isn't playing.

DEFENSIVE TACKLE

Adam Butler -- 45

Malcom Brown -- 34

Lawrence Guy -- 30

Alan Branch -- 6

Butler, an undrafted free-agent from Vanderbilt, showed his position versatility by aligning in multiple spots. In obvious passing situations, he would reduce inside and rush over the nose. Branch had mostly played good football for the Patriots over the past two-plus seasons, so this is an uncharacteristic dip for him after the tough opener. Back-to-back runs by Adrian Peterson (5, 6 yards) early in the second quarter were a reflection of the struggles Branch is having as he was handled rather easily at the line of scrimmage. Meanwhile, Guy showed up early by drawing a holding penalty to open the Saints' second drive and was stout on inside run plays.

DEFENSIVE END

Trey Flowers -- 62

Cassius Marsh -- 31

Deatrich Wise -- 28

Marsh, who was acquired from the Seahawks in a Sept. 2 trade, had a pressure to help force an incomplete pass on fourth-and-3 late in the second quarter. That play reflected how the Patriots, while giving up too many big plays, still delivered in a handful of got-to-have-it situations (third downs etc...).

CORNERBACK

Stephon Gilmore -- 65

Malcolm Butler -- 49

Eric Rowe -- 34

Jonathan Jones -- 27

Jones, a second-year player out of Auburn who makes his primary contributions on special teams, had two notable pass breakups. His playing time spiked after Rowe went out with a groin injury in the third quarter, bumping him up to the No. 3 spot behind Gilmore and Butler. Outside of jumping offside on a field-goal attempt, he responded well.

SAFETY

Devin McCourty -- 65

Patrick Chung -- 63

Duron Harmon -- 52

Jordan Richards -- 16

McCourty's tackling, closing speed, and run support showed up for the second straight week. After a heavy workload in the opener, Richards didn't enter the game until the second half when Rowe went out and the Patriots ran more plays with seven defensive backs on the field.

RUNNING BACK

James White -- 30

Mike Gillislee -- 30

Dion Lewis -- 14

Rex Burkhead -- 8

Burkhead seemed to be in line for a bigger role, playing five snaps on the opening drive and capping it off with a touchdown catch, before he was shut down after the fourth drive with an injury to his ribs. Gillislee's numbers rose late when the Patriots fed him as they were running down the clock.

WIDE RECEIVER

Brandin Cooks -- 65

Chris Hogan -- 65

Phillip Dorsett -- 32

With just three healthy receivers active, Dorsett nearly doubled his playing-time output from the opener (18 snaps) as the No. 3 option. He showed he can help, with three catches for 68 yards and one rush for seven yards before departing in the second half with a knee injury.

TIGHT END

Rob Gronkowski -- 46

Dwayne Allen -- 46

Jacob Hollister -- 16

Cameron Fleming -- 4

After playing with just two tight ends in the opener, the Patriots went with three and opened the game with a three-TE package (empty formation), going back to it often over the course of the game.

FULLBACK

James Develin -- 24

This seemed to be the typical workmanlike day for a player who brings an element of physicality and toughness to the offense; when he aligns wide as he did at times, it often helps quarterback Tom Brady read the defensive coverage (man vs. zone).

OFFENSIVE LINE

LT Nate Solder -- 76

LG Joe Thuney -- 76

C David Andrews -- 76

RG Shaq Mason -- 76

RT Marcus Cannon -- 76

Cannon, who was questionable with an ankle injury, played with no obvious limitations. Nonetheless, that's a credit to his toughness.

QUARTERBACK

Tom Brady -- 76

His patience to hang in the pocket and convert on third down set an early tone.