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Giants and Eagles set to push the pace on MNF

New York Giants running back Shane Vereen (34) rushes during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars Saturday, Aug. 22, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Welcome to Snaps, Pace, and Stats, which examines trends in snap totals and no-huddle usage. This year I’ll be looking at individual players on Fridays in Advanced Matchup Plays, which will appear both here and on RotoGrinders. Before that, however, it is helpful to take a 30,000-foot view of the upcoming games in the hope of finding out which ones will be played on fertile fantasy soil.

 

Rank Week 5 Snaps 2015 Snaps/Game Opponent Wk 5 Snps 2015 Opp Snps/Gm
1 Detroit (89) Houston (77.2) Arizona (89) Philadelphia (72.6)
2 Cleveland (80) Atlanta (70.0) Baltimore (80) Carolina (71.2)
3 Cincinnati (79) Washington (68.2) Seattle (79) Baltimore (68.6)
4 Philadelphia (79) New Orleans (68.0) New Orleans (79) Buffalo (68.2)
5 Atlanta (77) Baltimore (67.8) Washington (77) Jacksonville (68.2)

 

New England at Indianapolis

The Colts allowed an average of 74.3 snaps over their last three games, all to division opponents. They play in the AFC South, by the way. New England ran 74 plays against them last season, and 76 more in the playoffs. Before the Patriots’ Week 5 slowdown, they had posted back-to-back 76-snap performances. As if any doubt existed, the volume will be turned way up for the Patriots in Lucas Oil Stadium. The question is if the Colts can muster an equally high snap count after posting just 56 and 52 in their last two meetings.

Most remember New England running 84 times for 423 yards against Indianapolis last year, and might expect a repeat. Yet, the Colts are only allowing 3.8 yards per carry, have an entirely new defensive line, and even a positive run defense grade (+4.5). The Patriots are running between the tackles 40 percent of the time, versus 52 percent last year. Their young interior offensive line is improving, but the trust hasn’t been there yet. Less run pounding than in 2014 — and more spread-out, quick-paced passing — should mean more snaps for the Colts.

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Pat Thorman is a Lead Writer for PFF Fantasy and was named 2013 Newcomer of the Year by the Fantasy Sports Writers Association. You can follow him on Twitter at @Pat_Thorman

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