Let’s examine the snap counts from the Kansas City Chiefs 24-3 win over the New York Jets on Sunday.
Quarterback
QB Alex Smith: 63
Nick Foles getting the Chase Daniel treatment.
Offensive line
OT Mitch Schwartz: 63
OT Eric Fisher: 63
G Jordan Devey: 63
G Zach Fulton: 63
C Mitch Morse: 63
Starter Parker Ehinger and backup Jah Reid were both inactive due to injuries so Fulton and Devey replaced them. Laurent Duvernay-Tardif was active and dressed but did not play. Instead Devey, called up from the practice squad last week, started the game. The Chiefs were good when the line did well which actually wasn’t all that often against a good defensive front.
Wide receiver
WR Jeremy Maclin: 60
WR Chris Conley: 51
WR Albert Wilson: 21
WR Tyreek Hill: 12
Albert Wilson’s snaps plummet. He has gone from 49 snaps in the first game, 41 in the second to now just 21 in the third. We wondered earlier this week what happened to Albert Wilson because it seems he’s been a non-factor. This is a guy we thought just a few months ago had a chance to be the Chiefs second best receiver. A combination of Tyreek Hill’s effectiveness, Albert Wilson’s ineffectiveness and more two and three tight end sets likely led to this.
Tight ends
TE Travis Kelce: 58
TE Demetrius Harris: 31
TE Ross Travis: 11
TE James O’Shaughnessy: 1
Did you notice that four tight end set on the goal line? That’s a new one. I enjoyed some of these multiple tight end formations against the Jets. Kept their pass rushing defensive line off guard.
Running backs
RB Spencer Ware: 45
RB Charcandrick West: 14
FB Anthony Sherman: 10
RB Knile Davis: 1
So, yeah, Ware is your lead back with Jamaal Charles out. No question about that.. Maybe it was typical bumps and bruises but I saw Charcandrick West with an ankle wrap on after the game.
Cornerbacks
CB Steven Nelson: 68
CB Marcus Peters: 68
CB Phillip Gaines: 55
CB DJ White: 5
Nelson and Peters played every snap once again. Gaines came out late in the game because he tweaked his knee but Reid said he’s fine. DJ White made the most of his five snaps with an interception. More DJ White, please.
Safeties
S Ron Parker: 68
S Eric Berry: 68
S Daniel Sorensen: 37
S Eric Murray: 2
Parker and Berry played every snap. Berry had an interception as did Sorensen. Murray recovered a fumble on one of his two snaps.
Linebackers
LB Derrick Johnson: 68
LB Frank Zombo: 53
LB Tamba Hali: 46
LB Dee Ford: 28
LB Justin March: 24
LB Dezman Moses: 8
LB Dadi Nicolas: 1
What happened to Dee Ford? With 68 snaps, he played 28 of them. Reid didn’t say he was hurt. Hmm. I noticed he wasn’t playing at times but I didn’t realize it was this dramatic of a drop off. (Update: Andy Reid said Ford hurt his hand)
Defensive line
NT Dontari Poe: 45
DE Jaye Howard: 45
DE Allen Bailey: 36
DE Chris Jones: 16
DE Nick Williams: 7
Look at this rotation. This is what I’m talking about. Poe, Howard and Bailey are obviously more effective when they’re rested. The rookie Chris Jones has had games of 12, 18 and now 16 snaps. I could even stand to see him a little more.