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The Kansas City Chiefs tight end who didn't play a lot but made an amazing catch is ... Anthony Fasano!
We're used to saying that's Travis Kelce but Kelce played a lot of snaps in this game -- 37 to be exact. Fasano played just 17 snaps. Fasano was questionable entering the game with an injury so that could have played a role in why Kelce played so much more. It's nice though to see Kelce continue to have a larger role in the Chiefs offense.
New Chiefs WR Jason Avant led all Chiefs receivers with two catches for 30 yards in Sunday night's loss to the Denver Broncos. Avant also played 31 snaps, second only to Dwayne Bowe among Chiefs receivers. Meanwhile, Donnie Avery played 27 snaps in his first game back from a midseason sports hernia surgery. His notable contribution was a fumble that helped the Broncos seal the game.
The Chiefs have tried a few options for second and third receivers, including AJ Jenkins and Frankie Hammond. Neither Jenkins (now on IR) or Hammond offered much to the Chiefs, who are hoping Avant or Avery can provide a spark the Chiefs have not seen from their receivers yet.
Since I mentioned the Chiefs receivers, I am obligated to mention that not one Chiefs receiver has a touchdown catch this season. Except for Avant, who has one ... but those came while he was a Panther.
Let's check out the rest of those snap counts (numbers via the NFL).
OFFENSE
| Position | Player | Snaps |
| C | Rodney Hudson | 45 |
| G | Zach Fulton | 45 |
| OT | Eric Fisher | 45 |
| QB | Alex Smith | 45 |
| RB | Jamaal Charles | 43 |
| WR | Dwayne Bowe | 43 |
| TE | Travis Kelce | 37 |
| OT | Ryan Harris | 35 |
| WR | Jason Avant | 31 |
| G | Mike McGlynn | 28 |
| WR | Donnie Avery | 27 |
| G | Jeff Linkenbach | 17 |
| TE | Anthony Fasano | 17 |
| OT | Donald Stephenson | 11 |
| WR | Frankie Hammond | 10 |
| FB | Anthony Sherman | 9 |
| RB | De'Anthony Thomas | 5 |
| RB | Knile Davis | 2 |
- Mike McGlynn was injured in the game and exited early.
- Donald Stephenson had 11 snaps and a personal foul. Are you ready for more Stephenson? He looked a little rusty in there on at least one play against the Broncos pass rushers.
- Knile Davis is still playing on a few snaps per game. The Chiefs have to find a way to get him more involved. Maybe not getting down 14-0 in the first quarter is part of it. The same goes for Anthony Sherman, who played just nine snaps.
- The Chiefs needed big plays on offense and De'Anthony Thomas played just five snaps. I know the Chiefs like to work some plays early in the game for him but they need to find a way for him to have a regular role in the offense.
DEFENSE
| Position | Player | Snaps |
| CB | Sean Smith | 82 |
| CB | Ron Parker | 82 |
| CB | Phillip Gaines | 82 |
| LB | Justin Houston | 82 |
| LB | Josh Mauga | 82 |
| LB | Tamba Hali | 82 |
| NT | Dontari Poe | 82 |
| S | Husain Abdullah | 82 |
| CB | Chris Owens | 57 |
| DE | Allen Bailey | 49 |
| DE | Jaye Howard | 46 |
| LB | James-Michael Johnson | 34 |
| S | Kurt Coleman | 32 |
| DE | Vance Walker | 17 |
| DT | Kevin Vickerson | 7 |
| LB | Joe Mays | 3 |
| S | Kelcie McCray | 1 |
- Eric Berry did not play obviously.
- Eight Chiefs played every snap on defense.
- You can tell how often the Chiefs were in passing situations by the number of snaps from Chris Owens and Kurt Coleman, who are extra defensive backs who come in on passing downs.
- Three snaps for Joe Mays!
- Allen Bailey left the game with a concussion.
- Big Vick (Kevin Vickerson) played seven snaps. The Broncos CJ Anderson ran for 168 yards. You would think Big Vick would play more with a back going off like that but the Chiefs had to be prepared for the pass. That's the Peyton effect at play right there.
- Dee Ford had 13 snaps on special teams but none on defense.
- 17 snaps is a little high for Vance Walker. He is a reserve lineman who doesn't play that much.