Reviewing the number of snaps from each player from the Chiefs 20-17 win over the Panthers...
Quarterback
QB Alex Smith: 64
No splitting snaps in this game, although some of you wanted to. Alex was 25/38 for 178 yards. When you get a pick-six and a last minute fumble recovery, you can have stats like that and win. Alex and Cam Newton both threw the ball 38 times. Alex completed two more passes than Cam did but Cam threw for 83 more yards. Sounds about right.
Offensive line
C Mitch Morse: 64
G Laurent Duvernay-Tardif: 64
G Zach Fulton: 64
OT Eric Fisher: 64
OT Mitch Schwartz: 63
OT Jah Reid: 2
The NFL releases these snap counts and occasionally I can find an error. They had Mitch Schwartz with 63/64 snaps, which is notable because he hasn’t missed an offensive snap in his career. I asked around and no one remembers him missing a play. I quickly went through the game again and didn’t see him miss any plays. So I’m giving him the full 64 snaps here.
Tight ends
TE Travis Kelce: 61
TE Demetrius Harris: 22
TE Ross Travis: 17
TE James O’Shaughnessy: 6
The Chiefs went with four tight ends when they normally go with three. The tight ends not named Kelce were good for a couple of drops. It’s fun when they create mismatches and they’re out there blocking but when you need them to catch a pass ... woof.
Wide receiver
WR Chris Conley: 54
WR Albert Wilson: 46
WR Tyreek Hill: 39
WR De’Anthony Thomas: 9
The Chiefs were without Maclin entering this game, which is possibly the reason why they had four tight ends and just four receivers on offense (Demarcus Robinson was active but played special teams only). Tyreek continues to get more and more work. He had 10 catches on these 39 snaps. He also had a 12-yard run in the game.
Running back
RB Spencer Ware: 41
RB Charcandrick West: 20
FB Anthony Sherman: 4
Knile Davis was active but only did kick returns. This wasn’t a highly productive day from the Chiefs backs. They got down 17-3 and had to throw for a lot of the second half. Ware still had 16 touches. The Chiefs did a decent job of balance considering the flow of the game.
Safety
S Ron Parker: 72
S Eric Berry: 72
S Daniel Sorensen: 17
S Eric Murray: 2
The Panthers actually run the ball unlike most of the rest of the league so the Chiefs didn’t need their third safety as often as other games. The highlight obviously is Eric Berry’s pick-six, which helped put the Chiefs in position to win the game.
Linebacker
LB Dee Ford: 72
LB Ramik Wilson: 67
LB Derrick Johnson: 54
LB Frank Zombo: 45
LB Tamba Hali: 27
Weird stats here. DJ, who was questionable with a hamstring injury for this game, usually plays every snap. I’m trying to think of the last time he didn’t. Since his Achilles year in 2014? DJ’s dip in playing time went to Ramik Wilson, who had another solid game. Did anyone see Ramik coming? He’s been very good in the middle. The Chiefs are lucky to have him. Keep an eye on these snaps to see how Justin Houston will affect it next week (hopefully next week).
Cornerback
CB Steven Nelson: 70
CB Marcus Peters: 70
CB Kenneth Acker: 26
CB Phillip Gaines: 17
Peters came out for a couple of plays. A reporter asked him after the game why he came out and he said there’s a difference between being hurt and being injured. I didn’t see what was wrong. Speaking of what’s wrong, Phillip Gaines. Another injury for him. If they get something out of him, great. But the Chiefs clearly can’t rely on him.
Defensive line
NT Dontari Poe: 62
DE Chris Jones: 45
DE Kendall Reyes: 35
NT Rakeem Nunez-Roches: 32
DE David King: 7
The Chiefs are deep along the defensive line and they needed all of that with Allen Bailey done for the year and Jaye Howard missing this game. Rakeem Nunez-Roches and Kendall Reyes saw the most playing time as a result of those injuries.