Snap Count Observations: Transactions to Make for Week 14 (Fantasy Football)

Kansas City Chiefs

Isiah Pacheco 37%; Kareem Hunt 38%

Pacheco returned from IR and almost exactly split time with Kareem Hunt. Neither was particularly good, but Pacheco seemed to have the fresher legs (seven carries for 44 yards for Pacheco vs. seven carries for 15 yards for Hunt). Hunt had an edge in targets but failed to record a single total yard for his four targets, yet again suggesting that Hunt may have run out of steam.

It’s hard to say whether Kansas City was “easing” Pacheco back into playing in the NFL after injury. He did break a bone for crying out loud, but I do think that they have been happy with what Kareem Hunt has provided. Or at least they were until this performance.

Lost in all of this is that Samaje Perine also played 25% of the snaps, so Pacheco was far from the backfield bell cow we saw at the beginning of the year. My guess is that Pacheco eventually takes over more and more of the backfield share, but I tend to think this happens gradually.

Conclusion: Not sure either Hunt or Pacheco should be played with confidence right now. But I believe in a few weeks, Pacheco will again dominate the Chiefs’ backfield.

Los Angeles Chargers

Gus Edwards 52%

As expected, Gus Edwards played a lot in relief of J.K. Dobbins but he was not very good. Gus only received six carries and one target, which he converted into a grand total of 33 yards. The Chargers also worked in Kimani Vidal, who played limited snaps (26% – 12 total snaps) but got four carries in those 12 snaps, which he converted into 20 yards.

Gus looked slow and the Chargers’ offense looked bad. They could not sustain drives. The Chargers only had 46 total plays and 10 total first downs on the day.

Atlanta has a decent run defense, but it isn’t one you specifically avoid. Instead, this was just a dud from the Chargers.

Conclusion: It will probably get a little better, but I think Gus is just past his prime and not really worth starting consideration beyond desperation.

Las Vegas Raiders

Ameer Abdullah 62%; Sincere McCormick 38%

The Raiders continue to look for answers at the running back position after the injuries to Zamir White and Alexander Mattison. Abdullah continues to play big snaps, but he is not a preferred option between the tackles. So, the Raiders turned to formerly undrafted free agent, Sincere McCormick.

McCormick has been active for the last two games and got five carries against Denver in Week 12. The Raiders must have liked what they saw because he received 12 carries in the game against the Chiefs, which led all Raiders running backs. His 12 carries turned into 64 yards—a solid output against a very stout Chiefs defense.

McCormick’s snap share doesn’t scream waiver wire pickup, but he has been pretty efficient in his limited usage (averaging 5.7 per carry). He also has caught a couple of passes too, so he does not appear to be a one-trick pony. If you are desperate for an RB, he is someone worth putting in a low-value bid on. Also, of note for dynasty folks, both White and Mattison are free agents after this year, so he could be a good dynasty stash if the team thinks he has a future. This is essentially his tryout for his future with the Raiders.

Conclusion: Stash Sincere McCormick.

Dallas Cowboys

Rico Dowdle 70%

Rico Dowdle has certainly been on your radar for some time, but it’s worth noting how complete his takeover of this backfield has become. Over the past two weeks, Dowdle has had a running back rush share of 86.4% and 84.6%. Now, in Week 13, he saw a season-high snap share. Dowdle is truly the only show in town now, and so as long as the Cowboys are a semi-competent offense, he remains a solid play every week.

Conclusion: Start Rico Dowdle.