[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbwa53mtds520q2 player_id=none image=https://chiefswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]
The Kansas City Chiefs played nearly an even number of snaps on offense and defense on Sunday, which speaks to how thoroughly they dominated the Las Vegas Raiders on both sides of the ball. Very few players played 100% of the snaps, with Kansas City beginning to sub in backups late in the third quarter.
What else can we learn from this week’s snap counts? Here’s a look at how the snaps played out in Week 14:
*Snap counts via NFL Game Statistics and Information System
Observations
- Orlando Brown and Trey Smith are the only two players who managed to play 100% of the offensive snaps (66). Both were on the field through the final whistle.
- Austin Blythe subbed in for Creed Humphrey, Nick Allegretti subbed in for Joe Thuney and Lucas Niang for Andrew Wylie.
- Byron Pringle continued to get the snap share of a No. 3 receiver with Demarcus Robinson not too far behind him. Josh Gordon and Mecole Hardman did contribute in this game, though, and not just in garbage time.
- Hardman played the most total snaps he has seen since the Week 10 meeting against the Raiders. He seems to be out of the dog house, especially after making a big reception early on in the game. Expect him to carve out a larger chunk of the game plan in the ensuing weeks.
- Gordon played just 24 snaps but they were impactful snaps at that. He had his first touchdown catch with the team and caught an 8-yard pass later on that helped the Chiefs achieve a fresh set of downs.
- Darrel Williams and Clyde Edwards-Helaire literally had an even split of snaps in this game, with Derrick Gore not too far behind them either. This offense seems to be at its best when they can get all three running backs involved, which they did on Sunday.
- Noah Gray and Blake Bell also had an even split of snaps at the tight end position.
- Mike Hughes and Juan Thornhill were the only two defenders to play 100% of the defensive snaps (63). Hughes played the most combined snaps of his career (74), exceeding the 72 snaps he played against the Cowboys a few years back when he was still with the Vikings.
- Rashad Fenton played 35 snaps in his first game back from injury. This was a good way to ease him back into action ahead of “Thursday Night Football.”
- Steve Spagnuolo made good on his promise to get Nick Bolton more involved. The rookie linebacker played over 40% of the defensive snaps, compared to last week when he played less than 30% of the defensive snaps. Ben Niemann’s defensive snaps seemed to come down as a result.
- After playing the most combined snaps of his Chiefs career in Week 13, Deandre Baker played just 16 defensive snaps in Week 14. It was rather odd, seeing how the team was short-handed at the cornerback position. They must have liked the matchup with Mike Hughes better.
- Dorian O’Daniel and Josh Jackson played only special teams snaps this week. It was expected for Jackson, but a bit surprising that O’Daniel didn’t see any action on defense during garbage time.
[listicle id=112028]