Chiefs vs. Colts: Making sense of snap counts

The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Indianapolis Colts, 31-13, in the divisional round to advance to the AFC championship game.

Here were the snap counts for the Chiefs:

Offense

Defense

Special teams

Starters (offensive): WR Tyreek Hill, LT Eric Fisher, LG Cam Erving, C Mitch Morse, RG Andrew Wylie, RT Mitch Schwartz, TE Travis Kelce, TE Demetrius Harris, WR Sammy Watkins, QB Patrick Mahomes, RB Damien Williams

Starters (defensive): NT Derrick Nnadi, LDE Allen Bailey, LOLB Dee Ford, LILB Reggie Ragland, RILB Anthony Hitchens, ROLB

Active, but did not play: QB Chad Henne

Inactive: S Eric Berry, RB Spencer Ware, LB Dorian O’Daniel, G Kahlil McKenzie, C Jimmy Murray

Takeaways, in no particular order:

• Offensive lineman Cam Erving reentered the starting lineup, starting and playing 100 offensive snaps at left guard. Jeff Allen had five special teams snaps.
• Sammy Watkins had 81 offensive snaps in his return to the lineup, 11 more than Tyreek Hill. That is a promising sign for the next few weeks.
• Patrick Mahomes’ best friend Gehrig Dieter came in for eight offensive snaps. Dieter caught his only target for 11 yards.
• Backup center Austin Reiter came in as the Chiefs sixth offensive lineman for two snaps.
• In a true sign of the times, cornerback Charvarius Ward led all Chiefs in defensive snaps with 52 (93 percent). Jordan Lucas started at safety. Lucas and Daniel Sorensen each had 47 snaps (84 percent).
• With Dorian O’Daniel unavailable, Eric Murray had the most defensive snaps he’s had since Week 11: 45 (80 percent).
• Outside linebacker breakdown: Dee Ford, 41 (73 percent); Justin Houston, 34 (61 percent); Breeland Speaks, 28 (50 percent); Tanoh Kpassagnon, 9 (16 percent)
• The Chiefs pulled some of their defensive starters at the end of the game.
• Special teams standouts (19 snaps or more): TE Demetrius Harris (26), LB Frank Zombo (24), S Eric Murray (23), WR Marcus Kemp (21), RB Darrel Williams (21), FB Anthony Sherman (19), Tremon Smith (19)