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In order to make the best waiver and lineup decisions each week you really need to break down who is on the field the most and who is touching the ball the most. If you follow those very basic principles you will do quite well week in and week out.

So every week I will be taking a close look at the amount of snaps that players who are in platoon situations are getting in order to uncover those hidden gems that win championships.

This week let’s switch it up a bit and focus on the number of snaps each team is running instead of individual players. Now that we are about ¼ of the way through the season, we can use the first quarter data to project the teams and therefore the players who will have the most volume moving forward.

 Let’s take a look at which teams are leading the league in snaps through the first four weeks:

1) Indianapolis Colts

79.5 Snaps Per Game (1st)

318 Total Snaps  (1st)

136 Points Scored (1st)

Breakdown: As we discussed in the 2014 Fantasy Football Draft Guide, Andrew Luck is just beginning his peak years this season and he looks every bit of it. The extra snaps are really helping the RB’s in Ahmad Bradshaw and Trent Richardson maintain fantasy value while grinding out the clock as the Colts sit on big leads.

 

2) Miami Dolphins

75.5 Snaps Per Game (2nd)

302 Total Snaps (2nd)

96 Points Scored (10th)

Breakdown: Bill Lazor’s offense is doing exactly what it was designed to do and that is rack up plays while controlling the clock. Ideally the amount of plays would result in more points scored but we can all agree that the Dolphins offense is racking up better numbers than most people thought they would.

 

3) New York Jets

73 Snaps Per Game (3rd)

292 Total Snaps (3rd)

79 Points Scored (23rd)

Breakdown: Surprised? I am too actually but I have realized that the Jets are ranking much higher in offensive categories than I would have expected. Geno Smith, Eric Decker and Chris Ivory are all fairly useful fantasy players at this point in the season.

 

4) Baltimore Ravens

72.75 Snaps Per Game (4th)

291 Total Snaps (4th)

103 Points Scored (5th)

Breakdown: Even without a clear cut RB the Ravens offense is carving up yards and points this season. Gary Kubiak is really in his element as an offensive coordinator. If the Ravens can continue mounting plays in this fashion, Lorenzo Taliaferro is going to become an every week starting RB2 in fantasy football.

 

5) Washington Redskins

72.75 Snaps Per Game (5th)

291 Total Snaps (5th)

95 Points Scored (12th)

Breakdown: The Redskins got a nice boost in week three playing against the up tempo Philadelphia Eagles. I would expect this number to drop in the next few weeks but as long as Kirk Cousins can refrain from the big turnovers the Redskins offense is in good shape.

 

6) Philadelphia Eagles

72.5 Snaps Per Game (6th)

290 Total Snaps (6th)

122 Points Scored (3rd)

Breakdown: Rapid play calling and more overall plays are a trademark of the Chip Kelly offense. The key factor here is that the Eagles turn plays in to points and that is ultimately how fantasy football is won.

 

7) New York Giants

72 Snaps Per Game (7th)

288 Total Snaps (7th)

103 Points Scored (6th)

Breakdown: Look at the Giants back in the offensive limelight here. Eli Manning is finally embracing Ben McAdoo’s quick hitting offensive style which is paying off on all ends. The receivers in Victor Cruz and Larry Donnell are racking up the numbers as they get the ball delivered quick and are allowed to make plays after the catch. Odell Beckham’s return could be a huge factor in taking this Giants offense to the next level.

 

8) Kansas City Chiefs

70.75 Snaps Per Game (8th)

283 Total Snaps (8th)

102 Points Scored (8th)

Breakdown: The Chiefs got a huge boost from their Monday Night destruction of the New England Patriots. This offense rides on the shoulders of the RB be it Jamaal Charles or Knile Davis.

 

9) Pittsburgh Steelers

70.75 Snaps Per Game (9th)

283 Total Snaps (9th)

97 Points Scored (9th)

Breakdown: The Steelers have a real nice blend of running and passing on the offensive side of the ball. With a defense that has been decimated by injury, they will likely be playing in some real high scoring games in the next few weeks.

 

10) New Orleans Saints

70.75 Snaps Per Game (10th)

283 Total Snaps (10th)

95 Points Scored (11th

Breakdown: The above numbers are actually quite disappointing for the Saints. We all recognize that the Saints are a much better team at home then on the road. Through the first four games the Saints have played just game at the Superdome. With five of their next seven games at home, it is definitely time to buy low on the Saints.

 

11) Arizona Cardinals

70.67 Snaps Per Game (11th)

212 Total Snaps (27th)

66 Points Scored (28th)

Breakdown: The total snaps and points scored are misleading because of the bye week in week four. As good as the Cardinals offense has been, they have done most of this without their starting QB in Carson Palmer.

 

12) Chicago Bears

70.5 Snaps Per Game (12th)

282 Total Snaps (11th)

92 Points Scored (14th)

Breakdown: The more plays that the Bears run the better it is for Matt Forte. There is a ton of talent in that Chicago offense that puts a lot of stress on opposing defenses. I fully expect their snaps per game to improve as we progress through the season.

 

13) Detroit Lions

70.5 Snaps Per Game (13th)

282 Total Snaps (12th)

85 Points Scored (18th)

Breakdown: The Lions system isn’t designed to run a lot of plays. They are a downfield pushing offense with game breakers such as Reggie Bush and Calvin Johnson. This success down the field actually does hurt the ancillary players fantasy value such as Golden Tate, Joique Bell and anyone that is playing the TE position.

 

14) Atlanta Falcons

70.25 Snaps Per Game (14th)

281 Total Snaps (13th)

131 Points Scored (2nd)

Breakdown: The Falcons offense benefits from a horrible defense. It should be noted though that they lost three more offensive lineman this past week which is going to impact them moderately at best and significantly at worst. The passing game should remain in good shape though no matter what.

 

15) San Francisco 49ers

70.25 Snaps Per Game (15th)

281 Total Snaps (14th)

88 Points Scored (16th)

Breakdown: The 49ers are a rare team these days in that the less plays they run the better-expected production out of their offense. The 49ers need to run the ball more and grind out the clock in order to build and hold leads. This benefits Frank Gore and to a lesser degree Carlos Hyde.

 

16) New England Patriots

70 Snaps Per Game (16th)

280 Total Snaps (15th)

80 Points Scored (21st)

Breakdown: The Patriots were way ahead of the curve in the whole “more plays equal more points” strategy. The implemented this idea back in 2007 and rode it to some of the most successful offensive seasons ever. But they simply don’t have the personnel to run this style right now and are relegated into the dim world of mediocrity.

 

17) San Diego Chargers

69.75 Snaps Per Game (17th)

279 Total Snaps (16th)

102 Points Scored (7th)

Breakdown: The above numbers are the ultimate reasons why players like Eddie Royal, Malcom Floyd and even Antonio Gates just don’t have a lot of fantasy appeal. There isn’t quite enough volume here in San Diego for multiple fantasy standouts.

 

18) St. Louis Rams

69.67 Snaps Per Game (18th)

209 Total Snaps (28th)

56 Points Scored (31st)

Breakdown: It should be surprising that the Rams are running this many plays considering the emphatic lack of production. But it goes to show that there are probably better times ahead for this team. Personally, I think that Zac Stacy is going to wind up being a borderline RB1 from this point on.

 

19) Dallas Cowboys

69.25 Snaps Per Game (19th)

277 Total Snaps (17th)

115 Points Scored (4th)

Breakdown: The Cowboys have been carving up opponents with their revitalized run game. Thus, they aren’t running a ton of plays but are able to keep their below average defense off the field while controlling the time of possession. DeMarco Murray is in a great spot as long as he can stay healthy.

 

20) Cleveland Browns

68.33 Snaps Per Game (20th)

205 Total Snaps (29th)

74 Points Scored (25th)

Breakdown: This is the start of the decline in NFL offenses. The Browns are solid on the ground but don’t have the QB or WR’s to play ball control offense.

 

21) Houston Texans

68.25 Snaps Per Game (21st)

273 Total Snaps (18th)

87 Points Scored (17th)

Breakdown: The defense is carrying the 3-1 Texans right now. The lack of offensive plays and production is directly tied to Andre Johnson’s slow start. My question for the Texans is when do they start getting the TE’s involved more?

 

22) Denver Broncos

68 Snaps Per Game (22nd)

204 Total Snaps (30th)

75 Points Scored (24th)

Breakdown: As if you needed proof that it isn’t 2013 anymore in Denver, the Broncos have been a very average offense so far this season. They will get better but even a substantial turnaround here wouldn’t be enough to feed backup RB’s, WR’s & TE’s fantasy value the way they did last year.

 

23) Carolina Panthers

67.25 Snaps Per Game (23rd)

269 Total Snaps (19th)

73 Points Scored (26th)

Breakdown: It’s amazing they have been this productive. With their offensive line a mess, their top three RB’s injured and Cam Newton not willing to run the ball, the Panthers offense is dead in the water.

 

24) Cincinnati Bengals

67 Snaps Per Game (24th)

201 Total Snaps (31st)

80 Points Scored (20th)

Breakdown: The Bengals are actually not rolling on offense the way that they are on defense thus far. Hue Jackson loves finding and exploiting matchups and this usually ends up in big plays. Thus, less total snaps but high overall production.

 

25) Minnesota Vikings

66.5 Snaps Per Game (25th)

266 Total Snaps (20th)

91 Points Scored (15th)

Breakdown: At this point in the rankings the numbers are starting to run together. I get it. But when you start figuring 13 snaps per game difference, that is a ton. After 16 weeks it equates to almost three entire games more snaps which greatly favors the players on those teams. Wouldn’t you say?

 

26) Buffalo Bills

64.75 Snaps Per Game (26th)

259 Total Snaps (21st)

79 Points Scored (22nd)

Breakdown: The move to Kyle Orton signifies the Bills actually wanting to slow down their offense a bit rather than run more plays. Orton will be more effective so that will help move the chains a bit more for this Buffalo offense.

 

27) Seattle Seahawks

64 Snaps Per Game (27th)

192 Total Snaps (32nd)

83 Points Scored (19th)

Breakdown: The Seahawks might go down in history as one of the most efficient offenses ever. They run the football and only throw when necessary yet convert an insanely high amount of those plays.

 

28) Jacksonville Jaguars

63.5 Snaps Per Game (28th)

254 Total Snaps (22nd)

58 Points Scored (30th)

Breakdown: Blake Bortles should help this offense make some big plays but until they solve their offensive line issues the fantasy upside is basically nil here in Jacksonville.

 

29) Tennessee Titans

63.25 Snaps Per Game (29th)

253 Total Snaps (23rd)

60 Points Scored (29th)

Breakdown: Ken Whisenhunt would like to crawl under a rock right about now.

 

30) Oakland Raiders

61.5 Snaps Per Game (30th)

246 Total Snaps (23rd)

51 Points Scored (32nd)

Breakdown: This is the worst collection of players, the worst team and the worst organization in all of sports. There isn’t a single reliable fantasy player on the Raiders right now.

 

31) Tampa Bay Buccaneers

61.25 Snaps Per Game (31st)

245 Total Snaps (24th)

72 Points Scored (27th)

Breakdown: A QB change, injured RB & WR and the loss of their offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford due to health concerns are just some of the issues plaguing the Bucs early on this season. Mike Glennon will help this offense although it will never be even an average volume unit.

 

32) Green Bay Packers

60 Snaps Per Game (32nd)

240 Total Snaps (25th)

92 Points Scored (13th)

Breakdown: It is astonishing that the Packers are running the least amount of plays in the league right now. This will absolutely change over the next few weeks. A lack of plays is one of the most obvious reasons for Eddie Lacy’s terrible early season production.