Snap Count Observations: Transactions to Make for Week 17 (Fantasy Football)
Kansas City Chiefs
Kareem Hunt 43%; Isiah Pacheco 35%
Since returning from injury, Isiah Pacheco has not trended well in playing time. His first week back was 35% snaps, then he jumped up to 46%, surpassing Kareem Hunt, but since that “high water mark” in Week 14, Pacheco’s playing time has trended back down. Pacheco now seems to be playing behind Kareem Hunt.
It’s possible that the Chiefs are saving Pacheco for the playoffs, but it’s equally likely that Pacheco just isn’t the same runner he was before the injury. A broken leg may be healed, but the surrounding muscles may still be weaker than when he started the season. Either way, Pacheco should not be anywhere near your fantasy championship starting lineup. I am not sure I’d trust Hunt either—the Chiefs’ offense is not the juggernaut it once was, so a split backfield on a mediocre offense is not exciting.
Conclusion: Bench Isiah Pacheco.
Atlanta Falcons
Michael Penix 100%
The Falcons offense found a bit of life with rookie QB, Michael Penix, leading the way. He looked the part. His stats probably could have been better if called upon, but the Falcons merely asked Penix to be a game manager in his first start because the Falcons’ defense did a bunch of scoring to help out with two pick-sixes. Also, the Giants are horrific.
To be honest, this is probably the best possible outcome for Penix. He got to take it slow in his first game after a tumultuous week leading up to his first start. He flashed some pinpoint accuracy and started getting comfortable as he handed it off regularly. Everybody is happy (except Kirk Cousins).
But seriously, the tape showed some real flash. He dropped a couple in the bucket, and his one interception was entirely Kyle Pitts‘ fault. All-in-all, Penix looks great and could be a streamer for the desperate this week.
Conclusion: Michael Penix looked solid in his first start.
New England Patriots
Kayshon Boutte 88%
Boutte has been the Patriots’ wide receiver with the highest playing time for some time now, and he has been seeing a decent target share (six or more targets in every game except two since Week 9). Generally, we ignore Patriots skill players in this periodical, but Boutte’s production is becoming hard to ignore, especially with Drake Maye playing pretty well for a rookie.
Boutte flashed this past week, as he had the best game of his career (95 yards and a touchdown). He’s worth considering if you are super desperate but keep in mind that this Buffalo defense has been a sieve since they lost both starting safeties and a starting corner. The Lions torched them last week, and the Rams the week prior so the Patriots’ passing numbers are likely inflated. Still, Boutte is someone worth knowing, and a name that you could maybe even pick up in a dynasty league.
Conclusion: Kayshon Boutte is a name worth considering.
Detroit Lions
Jahmyr Gibbs 69%
We got a glimpse of the Lions’ run game without David Montgomery, and, no surprise, it ended up being a healthy dose of Jahmyr Gibbs. Gibbs played much higher than his season average, but the bigger number is his usage share. He received 23 of 31 carries and saw five of the nine RB targets. He was heavily involved.
I was a little surprised it was this heavy, especially in a game that wasn’t particularly close. Craig Reynolds didn’t really see any involvement until the second half, and Sione Vaki only saw real playing time during the two-minute drill.
This is great news if you roster Gibbs, as he looks like someone who could win you a championship.
Also, equally good news, Dan Campbell says the Lions have no intention of resting any starters next week against San Francisco regardless of the outcomes of any other NFL game. The Lions play on Monday night, and if the Vikings beat the Packers the day prior, the outcome of the Lions-49ers would not impact either the NFC North race or the race for the number-one seed because the Lions and Vikings play each other in Week 18, and only that game would matter for either playoff scenario. You can take Campbell at his word—he’s one of the most transparent coaches in the NFL. Plus, you know the Lions want a piece of flesh after what happened last year in the NFC Championship Game—just look at what the Lions did to Dallas because of one bad call.
Conclusion: Celebrate if you roster Gibbs.