The Kansas City Chiefs’ offense played a whopping 78 snaps against Denver Broncos in Week 18. That shows the extended scoring drives where the team managed to eat the clock and matriculate the ball down the field. The defense played just 54 snaps in Week 18, illustrating how the Broncos struggled with the time of possession and had a few quick three-and-outs.
What else can we learn from this week’s snap counts? Here’s a look at how the snaps played out in Week 18:
*Snap counts via NFL Game Statistics and Information System
Observations
- With Tyreek Hill limited due to injury, Mecole Hardman had a chance to step up in a big way for Kansas City. He played his most snaps of the season, leading the way for the Chiefs’ receiving corps with 65 snaps. This also was good for the most offensive snaps in a single game of his Chiefs career. It’s the most he’s played in a single game since Week 5 against the Bills when he played 59 snaps on offense.
- Darrel Williams played just 31 snaps before suffering an injury that would sideline him for the remainder of the game. Derrick Gore and Jerick McKinnon split snaps in his absence with each playing just over 20 snaps on offense.
- Tyreek Hill played just 14 snaps due to injury during the course of the game. The fact that he was able to play through the injury suggests that it’s something minor that shouldn’t limit him during the playoffs.
- Tyrann Mathieu was the only defender to play 100% of the defensive snaps for the second consecutive week. It’s pretty rare that he doesn’t play 100% of the snaps on defense or close to it.
- Anthony Hitchens and Willie Gay played more snaps than rookie LB Nick Bolton, but it was clear who had the more impactful night. On just 24 defensive snaps, Bolton was able to play a part in a game-changing 86-yard touchdown return.
- Rashad Fenton and Mike Hughes seemed to work in at times on defense, but L’Jarius Sneed and Charvarius Ward had the most snaps of the cornerback group. They’re still trying to find a balanced and consistent rotation for that position group.
- The Chiefs seemed to have a strong rotation on the defensive side of the ball, especially on the defensive line. Those big guys get winded easily in the high altitude of Denver.
- Armani Watts, Dorian O’Daniel and Zayne Anderson remain the trio of players who only played snaps on special teams for Kansas City.
- Kyle Long was active for the first time in his Chiefs career on Saturday, but he didn’t play any snaps for the team.
