Now that we have two weeks of data, we can begin to look at trends instead of plain old snap data from one game. I won’t be covering quite as many players as last week this time around. Instead, I’ll be focusing on position battles and significant changes.
All Week 2 games included
Packers 30, Panthers 23
After beating him 47-17 in total snaps back in Week 1, James Starks enjoyed a 37-18 edge over Ryan Grant in Week 2. It’s clear that he’s the top back, but Grant has racked up 15 carries in those limited snaps. Starks has 22 carries. After Donald Driver played 19 more snaps (12 more pass routes) than Jordy Nelson in Week 1, Nelson had a 4 snap (2 pass route) edge in Week 2. They were the clear 2/3 behind Greg Jennings. James Jones was in on just 18 plays, while Randall Cobb handled 11, four more than in Week 1.
Brandon LaFell has been the more productive Fantasy asset, but he’s still getting smoked by Legedu Naanee in snaps. Naanee had a 26 snap edge in Week 1 and the margin grew to 33 this week. For the second straight week, the team’s No. 4 wideout Seyi Ajirotutu played one snap. Greg Olsen is the team’s top tight end, but Jeremy Shockey is seeing plenty of reps as well. Olsen has been on the field for 134 snaps this year compared to 81 for Shockey. DeAngelo Williams played 12 more snaps than Jonathan Stewart in Week 1, but it was the opposite story in Week 2. Stewart played 49 snaps (37 pass plays) compared to 26 snaps (20 pass plays) for Williams. Mike Goodson did not play.
Lions 48, Chiefs 3
Nate Burleson actually played three more snaps than Calvin Johnson in Week 2, but both barely left the field. Titus Young had a solid Fantasy day in Week 2, but that’s not shocking when you consider he played 50 snaps after a 42 snap opener. No major changes at tight end, but Tony Scheffler saw a few more snaps with Brandon Pettigrew missing a few plays with an injury. Jahvid Best is the clear workhorse (54 snaps both weeks), but Keiland Williams took over as the No. 2 this week. He played just 12 snaps, but ran the ball nine times. Jerome Harrison had four carries on seven snaps. Maurice Morris did not play.
Week 1 saw Steve Breaston take a one snap edge over Jerheme Urban in the race for the No. 2 WR job. Week 2 saw Breaston solidify his spot with a 45-to-18 edge. With Jamaal Charles done for the season, Dexter McCluster (33 snaps), Le’Ron McClain (26), and Thomas Jones (27) picked up the slack. Expect a committee from these three going forward with Jones handling early down carries (for now), McCluster handling pass downs, and McClain spelling Jones.
Saints 30, Bears 13
The Devery Henderson-Robert Meachem debacle rolls on. Henderson has had the Fantasy edge both weeks, but Meachem is winning the snap battle. One of these is bound to give. Meachem held an eight snap (10 pass route) edge in Week 1 and racked up 22 more snaps (six more pass routes) than Henderson in Week 2. Lance Moore was in on 25 plays and is still recovering from his injury. Slot man Adrian Arrington chipped in with 21. Heads up Jimmy Graham owners – he played just 33 snaps, compared to 48 by Dave Thomas. Graham was pulled in run blocking situations, but his pass routes did drop by 20 this week, which is a red flag. The RB unit continues to roll as a committee. For the second straight week, it was Darren Sproles (28) pacing the trio in snaps. Twenty of those were pass plays. Pierre Thomas (27) was a close second, just like last week, and was in on 16 pass plays. Mark Ingram (22) led the way in carries, but was a non-factor on pass plays (7 pass routes).
With Roy Williams out of action, Johnny Knox and Devin Hester both led Bears wide receivers with 63 snaps a piece. That’s a big boost for both, but especially for Knox after he was in on just 24 plays in Week 1. Earl Bennett went down with a chest injury after six snaps, but Dane Sanzenbacher picked up the slack with 46 of his own in a very pass heavy day for Chicago. Sam Hurd played 31. Same as last week, Matt Forte was the clear workhorse and Kahlil Bell handled RB No. 2 duties with just under two dozen snaps played.
Browns 27, Colts 19
Same as in Week 1, Ben Watson and Peyton Hillis each handled the same number of snaps (now 127 total) and both led the team’s skill position players in snaps. Montario Hardesty (7 snaps this week) is no threat to Hillis for playing time. For the second straight week, it was Greg Little leading the wide receivers in snaps, this time with 48. Mohammed Massaquoi pushed his way into second with 39, while Brian Robiskie saw a drop from 47 to 26. Josh Cribbs played 29 snaps, three more than in Week 1. Evan Moore played only 11 snaps in Week 1 and just nine in Week 2. So much for that breakout season. No. 3 TE Alex Smith was in on 32 plays and ran nine more pass routes than Moore.
Reggie Wayne and Pierre Garcon led the Colts skill position players in snaps with 68 apiece. They blew Austin Collie (41) out of the water for the second straight week, but, like last week, Collie was usually removed on run plays. He was targeted on 10 of his 31 pass routes, while Wayne and Garcon each ran 41 routes. Delone Carter continues to play a far second fiddle to Joe Addai, who played 55 snaps to Carter’s 14. Carter ran on 11 of those 14 snaps and has been handed the ball on 60% of his snaps this season.
Cowboys 27, 49ers 24
Jason Witten has now played all but one of the Cowboys’ offensive snaps this season after a 70-for-70 Week 2 effort. With Dez Bryant out, Kevin Ogletree managed to be a Fantasy non-factor despite 64 snaps played. He had a huge edge for work over Jesse Holley (26) and Dwayne Harris (1) and is still a sneaky play this week with Austin out. Martellus Bennett returned to action with 32 snaps played, retaking his spot ahead of John Phillips (18) as the No. 2 TE. Felix Jones (24 snaps) missed action with an injury, allowing Tashard Choice to lead the tailbacks with 28. DeMarco Murray was in on 18 plays, 12 of which were passes.
Like Witten, Vernon Davis played 100% of his team’s Week 2 snaps after missing only one in Week 1. Frank Gore handled 57 snaps, allowing only three for Anthony Dixon and zero for Kendall Hunter. He’s the clear workhorse. Michael Crabtree was inactive and Braylon Edwards lasted just three snaps before he went down for the game, which allowed Josh Morgan (54 snaps) and Ted Ginn (43) plenty of work. Kyle Williams (17) is the No. 3 WR.
Giants 28, Rams 16
Despite his questionable status, Hakeem Nicks was in on all but one of the Giants’ 76 offensive plays on Monday night. For the second straight week, FB/TE Bear Pascoe was among the skill position player leaders in snaps – this time with 47. Jake Ballard was in on 40 plays and Tackle Stacy Andrews worked the position 11 times. Ahmad Bradshaw (45 snaps) was well ahead of Brandon Jacobs (23) for the second straight week. DJ Ware (9) played a minimal role once again. He holds an 81-to-39 edge this season. Mario Manningham handled 32 snaps before suffering an apparent concussion and Domenik Hixon managed just 22 plays dealing with a knee tweak. This allowed Victor Cruz (28) and newcomer Brandon Stokley (11) some extra work.
Mike Sims-Walker paced the Rams’ wideouts with 64 snaps out of a possible 69. Brandon Gibson (48) was next in line. Greg Salas (30) struggled in a limited role in place of Danny Amendola, while Danario Alexander (16) thrived. Returning from injury, Mike Hoomanawanui played 50 snaps, compared to 36 for the rookie Lance Kendricks and 26 for fellow blocking TE Billy Bajema. Cadillac Williams was the workhorse, as expected, with Steven Jackson out of action. Williams enjoyed a 61 to eight snap edge over Jerious Norwood.
Steelers 24, Seahawks 0
Heath Miller played all but three of the team’s snaps in Week 2, but spent 42 of his 69 snaps blocking. Another week, another episode of Hines Ward’s demise being exaggerated. The vet paced the wide receivers with 56 snaps and 36 pass routes. Mike Wallace was right behind him in both departments. Antonio Brown saw 20 more snaps than Emmanuel Sanders in Week 1, but Sanders had a two snap edge this time around. Brown did run six more pass routes, though, as 21 of his 25 snaps were pass plays. Isaac Redman was just one snap behind Rashard Mendenhall (a product of the blowout) and was light-years ahead of Mewelde Moore, who was in on just five plays.
Zach Miller has played all but one of the team’s offensive snaps in both games so far this season. Mike Williams led the wide receivers in snaps for the second consecutive week, this time handling 41 of a possible 51. Ben Obomanu was second again, but this week it was Doug Baldwin with a 16 snap edge over Golden Tate, who was in on only 14 plays. Rookie Kris Durham played nine snaps after no Week 1 activity. Justin Forsett handled 24 snaps to just 20 for Marshawn Lynch. Lynch had the edge in carries, but 19 of Forsett’s snaps were pass plays.
Falcons 35, Eagles 31
Roddy White played every snap in Week 1 and 62 of a possible 64 in Week 2. Julio Jones handled 51 Week 2 snaps after missing only five in Week 2. He has a clear handle on the No. 2 job (as if that was ever in question).Harry Douglas ran 21 pass routes on a measly 26 snaps, but does have a big edge for slot duties over Eric Weems (six). Jason Snelling played more snaps than Mike Turner in Week 1, but that wasn’t the case this time around – although it was closer than you’d think. Turner was on the field for 36 snaps, 14 of which were pass plays. Snelling handled 21 snaps, 16 of which were pass plays. Seven of Jacquizz Rodgers’ 13 snaps were pass plays. Noticing a trend? Turner comes off on pass plays, Snelling and, to a lesser extent, Rodgers handle pass plays.
Jeremy Maclin is all better. He handled a WR-high 67 snaps, making it two weeks in a row he led the team’s skill position players in snaps. DeSean Jackson was just eight behind him. Jason Avant (41) is slowly losing work to Steve Smith (19), but Riley Cooper (four) is no threat. Brent Celek handled a respectable 59 snaps, but 35 of those were as a blocker. LeSean McCoy (59) is the workhorse and Ronnie Brown (9) is the handcuff. Dion Lewis was in on one play.
Bills 38, Raiders 35
Donald Jones led the Bills offensive skill position players in snaps for the second consecutive week. He was in on three more plays than Steve Johnson this week. With Roscoe Parrish out for the season, David Nelson (65 snaps in Week 2) is the new full-time slot man. Ruvell Martin (30) also moves up the depth chart. Scott Chandler scored again, but ran just 17 pass routes on 36 snaps. This came after a two score effort in Week 1 on just 10 pass routes. It’s a situation to avoid, as the TD rate won’t keep up. CJ Spiller is expected to see more work at wideout, but consider that he’s seen a grand total of 25 snaps so far this season, 14 of which were pass plays.
With Darrius Heyward-Bey, Louis Murphy, Jacoby Ford, and Kevin Boss out of action, it was a busy day for Raiders reserves. Derek Hagan led the wideouts with 60 snaps played. Rookie standout Denarius Moore was second with 49 and handled only two fewer pass routes than Hagan. Chaz Schilens was in on 27 plays. Brandon Myers handled the TE duties again with 57 snaps. Darren McFadden (56 snaps) has a clear edge on the feature back job over Michael Bush (10). The Week 1 split was 44:26.
Broncos 24, Bengals 22
With Brandon Lloyd out and Eddie Royal going down after 17 snaps, Eric Decker played all but two of a possible 67 snaps for Denver. Matt Willis stepped into the No. 2 role and handled 53. Rookie Julius Thomas went down after one snap, allowing Virgil Green to step into the No. 2 TE role and handle 23 snaps, 14 of which were plays where he blocked. Daniel Fells never left the field and has a clear hold on the top TE job. Willis McGahee handled 51 snaps with Knowshon Moreno out. Lance Ball spelled him 16 times.
Jermaine Gresham paced the Bengals skill position players in snaps for the second consecutive weeks, this time handling 68 of a possible 69. AJ Green (64) again led the wideouts, with Jerome Simpson (55) right on his tail. Unlike last week, Green also handled a few more pass routes than Simpson. Jordan Shipley was lost for the season after 18 snaps, allowing Andre Caldwell to step into the No. 3 role. He was in on 39 snaps, 31 of which were pass plays. Cedric Benson (50 snaps) is still the workhorse, and Brian Leonard (16) handily beat out Bernard Scott (four) for snaps for the second straight week. Clearly, they prefer Leonard to Scott in pass situations.
Texans 23, Dolphins 13
Same as last week, Andre Johnson played all but two of the possible offensive snaps and Owen Daniels was just behind in second place among skill position players. Jacoby Jones handled No. 2 snaps with Kevin Walter out. He racked up 56 snaps, including 30 of a possible 34 pass routes. Daniels (29 pass routes) was also heavily in the mix on pass plays. Joel Dreessen played 40+ snaps again, but was asked to block on 30 of his 45 snaps. FB James Casey was on the field about half as often as he was in Week 1. David Anderson (19 snaps) immediately eclipsed Bryant Johnson (six) as the No. 3 wideout. Ben Tate played 44 snaps, compared to 21 for the limited Arian Foster. Steve Slaton was in on only three plays after seeing only five in Week 1.
Anthony Fasano was in on 58 of a possible 62 Week 2 plays after missing only two plays in Week 1. Brandon Marshall equaled Fasano in snaps, but ran 11 more pass routes. Brian Hartline played 15 more snaps than Davone Bess, but one fewer pass route. Bess was pulled out on run plays all but nine times for the second straight week. Clyde Gates was in on eight plays. Daniel Thomas’ debut saw him lead the team’s tailbacks in snaps with 32, 14 of which were pass plays. Reggie Bush was in on 28 plays, 22 of which were pass plays.
Jets 32, Jaguars 3
Santonio Holmes paced the offensive skill position players for the second straight week, this time handling 48 of a possible 62 snaps. Dustin Keller (46) and Plaxico Burress (37) followed. Shonn Greene trailed LaDainian Tomlinson in snaps after Week 1, but enjoyed a 37 to 19 edge in Week 2. Greene was also in on 18 pass plays, compared to 12 for LT. Joe McKnight was in on seven plays after no playing time in Week 1. John Conner was in on 15 plays after seeing only six Week 1 snaps.
Mike Thomas played 42 snaps, including 26 pass routes, both of which led the team’s skill position players. With Jason Hill inactive, Cecil Shorts (25 snaps) and Jarett Dillard (24) split the No. 2 wideout duties. Both ran 17 pass routes. Jamar Newsome was cut after the game, but not before he handled 18 snaps. Kassim Osgood was in on 11 plays. Zach Potter (34 plays) and Zach Miller (34) split the tight end duties with Marcedes Lewis out. Miller ran 21 pass routes to Potter’s eight. Maurice Jones-Drew was used on a disappointing six pass plays in Week 1, but that changed in Week 2. MJD handled 38 snaps (still underwhelming), but was in on 20 pass plays. Deji Karim was in on 16 plays, including nine pass plays. Jones drew now has 46 looks (carries + targets) on 71 snaps. That’s a look rate of 65%. Take notes defensive coordinators.
Redskins 22, Cardinals 21
Santana Moss paced the Redskins with 76 snaps played in Week 2, but Jabar Gaffney was just behind with 71. Anthony Armstrong (48) was third among wide receivers for the second week in a row, but it was Donte Stallworth (24) who was the No. 4 this time around. He seems to have passed out Terrance Austin and Niles Paul, who combined for two snaps this week (both were Paul’s). Fred Davis is this team’s top tight end now. He handled 62 snaps, compared to 37 for Cooley. Cooley was asked to block on 25 of those snaps. After handling 63 of a possible 66 snaps in Week 1, Tim Hightower was in on just 58 of a possible 85 plays in Week 2. Roy Helu saw his snaps rise from three to 27. Hightower enjoyed a 32 to 16 edge on pass plays.
Larry Fitzgerald never left the field in this one. Andre Roberts was in on 46 of 50 possible plays, while Early Doucet handled just 28 snaps. For the second week in a row. Roberts is the clear No. 2. Chansi Stuckey was in on 20 plays. Beanie Wells continues to dominate the backfield snaps, as Chester Taylor was in on only three plays in his Cardinals debut. Jeff King (25) held a slight edge on Todd Heap (23) in snaps, but Heap ran a few more pass routes for the second straight week.
Bucs 24, Vikings 20
Mike Williams played every snap and has now missed only one this season. Arrelious Benn (27 snaps) can no longer be considered the team’s No. 2 wide receiver. Instead, he’s in a committee attack with Dezmon Briscoe (31 snaps) and Preston Parker (29), who is filling in for injured Sammie Stroughter. Benn was sixth among all Bucs in pass routes in Week 2 with 12. Luke Stocker played 31 fewer snaps than Kellen Winslow and is no threat for the job. After playing only 13 snaps in Week 1, LeGarrette Blount was in on just 26 plays in Week 2. Earnest Graham ousted him by seven snaps and 27 of his 33 snaps were pass plays. Blount was in on only 11 pass plays.
Visanthe Shiancoe led the skill position players in snaps for the second straight week – this time handling 61 of a possible 69 plays. Kyle Rudolph was in for 41 plays after seeing 21 in Week 2. This team is clearly going with a 2-TE attack. Adrian Peterson handled 56 snaps, including 29 pass plays. Toby Gerhart was in on just nine plays, five of which were passes. In possibly the most mind-boggling depth chart situation in the league, Michael Jenkins (54) and Bernard Berrian (51) saw plenty more snaps than Percy Harvin (33) for the second week in a row. Harvin was pulled when blocking was needed, but he still ran a half dozen fewer pass routes than the two “starters”.
Titans 26, Ravens 13
Kenny Britt and Nate Washington each played 70 of a possible 74 snaps in Week 2. With Damian Williams out, Lavelle Hawkins handled 34 snaps, 28 of which were pass routes. Marc Mariani entered the game five times. Chris Johnson is still the workhorse here. He was in on 58 plays, compared to 16 for Javon Ringer. Craig Stevens edged Jared Cook by seven total snaps, but Cook ran 15 more pass routes.
Anquan Boldin and Ed Dickson each handled 54 snaps to lead the Ravens skill position players. Dennis Pitta was in on just 16 plays, eight of which were pass routes. Lee Evans (38) and Torrey Smith (30) again handled the No. 2 and 3 WR duties, but David Reed (16) was in the mix, as well. After seeing 43 Week 1 snaps, Vonta Leach was in on only 16 plays this week. Ray Rice saw 49 snaps compared to just seven for Ricky Williams.
Patriots 35, Chargers 21
Rob Gronkowski missed only two snaps in Week 2 after sitting out only five in Week 1. Aaron Hernandez was in on 43 of the team’s 72 plays, but will be out a few weeks with an injury. Chad Ochocinco actually played one less snap in Week 2 than he did in Week 1, but he should see more work with Hernandez out. Speaking of wide receivers, Wes Welker (61) and Deion Branch (53) continue to hold down the WR1 and WR2 jobs, respectively. Danny Woodhead led the running backs again, but he held a snap edge over BenJarvus Green-Ellis of just nine after a 34 snap margin in Week 1. Stevan Ridley made his NFL debut with a pair of snaps.
Vincent Jackson has missed a grand total of two offensive snaps this season – one each week. An injury cost Antonio Gates a few snaps in Week 2, but he’s missed only 13 on the year. Bryan Walters took advantage of an early Malcom Floyd injury to rack up 57 snaps, including 42 pass routes. Richard Goodman (19 snaps) was the No. 3 wideout. No. 2 TE Randy McMichael handled 45 snaps after a 52 snap Week 1. Ryan Mathews and Mike Tolbert tied with 36 snaps each after Tolbert’s 12 snap edge in Week 1. Tolbert handled 25 pass plays, compared to 23 for Mathews.
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