Hidden Stat Line: Week 14 Backfield Breakdown

There was no shortage of RB production in Week 14, as three different players reached 150 rushing yards, and five others went for at least 80 and a touchdown. Cam Akers kicked it off with 171 rushing yards Thursday night, ultimately finishing the week second in both snap share and yardage.

Fellow rookie Jonathan Taylor outdid Akers from a fantasy perspective on the strength of his two touchdowns, though Taylor didn't dominate Indy's backfield work the same way Akers did for the Rams. Speaking of dominant, Derrick Henry has a puncher's chance at 2,000 rushing yards, with 215 on Sunday bringing him to 1,532 for the year. It might seem aggressive to ask for 468 yards over the final three weeks, but Henry gets an assist from his schedule, closing out the season against three defenses (GB, DET, HOU) that have allowed 4.6 YPC or worse.

On a less promising note, some big-name runners lost more work to their backups in Week 14, namely Ezekiel Elliott, James Conner and James Robinson. Blowouts were part of the equation in each case, but the usage nonetheless represented a noteworthy change from previous weeks, particularly for Mr. Robinson.

Robinson has been a regular at the top of our leaderboard for a slew of different usage stats, but this weeks he's been replaced by the Akers, Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Miles Sanders, among others.

Week 14 RB Leaderboard

(Bold indicates Top 10 for the week.)

Classify Me, Captain

Three-down Role with 80-plus Percent Snap Share

1. Philadelphia Eagles - Miles Sanders

Three-down Role, But Subbed Out Sometimes

1. Los Angeles Rams - Cam Akers
2. Carolina Panthers - Mike Davis
3. Chicago Bears - David Montgomery
4. Dallas Cowboys - Ezekiel Elliott
5. Kansas City Chiefs - Clyde Edwards-Helaire
6. Minnesota Vikings - Dalvin Cook
7. Green Bay Packers - Aaron Jones
8. Los Angeles Chargers - Austin Ekeler
9. New Orleans Saints - Latavius Murray

Clear Lead Back, But Usually Off the Field for Obvious Passing Situations

1. New England Patriots - Damien Harris
2. New York Giants - Wayne Gallman
3. Miami Dolphins - DeAndre Washington
4. Tennessee Titans - Derrick Henry
5. Jacksonville Jaguars - James Robinson
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Ronald Jones
7. Indianapolis Colts - Jonathan Taylor
8. Las Vegas Raiders - Josh Jacobs
9. Seattle Seahawks - Chris Carson

Two-Man Split

1. Denver Broncos - Melvin Gordon & Phillip Lindsay
2. Arizona Cardinals - Kenyan Drake & Chase Edmonds
3. Washington FT - J.D. McKissic & Peyton Barber
4. San Francisco 49ers - Raheem Mostert & Jeff Wilson
5. Buffalo Bills - Zack Moss & Devin Singletary
6. Pittsburgh Steelers - James Conner & Jaylen Samuels

Not-So-Pretty Committee

1. Cincinnati Bengals - Samaje Perine, Trayveon Williams & Giovani Bernard
2. Houston Texans - Duke Johnson, Buddy Howell & C.J. Prosise
3. New York Jets - Frank Gore, Ty Johnson & Josh Adams
4. Detroit Lions - D'Andre Swift, Adrian Peterson & Kerryon Johnson
5. Atlanta Falcons - Ito Smith, Todd Gurley & Brian Hill

Game-by-Game Breakdowns

(Snap totals, snap shares, carries and targets come from pro-football-reference.com or NFL.com's game books. Data on dropbacks and routes run come from Pro Football Focus.)

Patriots (3) at Rams (24)

Patriots

• Harris was the starter, and he played 17 of 32 snaps (53%) in the first half, getting nine of the team's 13 RB carries and both of the two targets. He then played only five of 27 snaps in the second half, with White getting 48% and Michel handling 41%.
• Michel played four of 32 snaps (13%) in the first half, followed by 11 of 27 (41%) in the second half. It was the second straight week where he got a bunch of carries post-halftime in a blowout.
• White saw fewer than five targets for a third straight week. He has just three games with more than five targets this year.

Rams

• Akers made his third start of the season (Weeks 1, 2, 14). He gained 35 yards on his first carry, and ultimately led the Rams backfield in snaps, carries, yards and fantasy points for a second straight week. (He got 21 carries and one target on 63% snap share Week 13.)
• Akers played four of six snaps inside the 5-yard line. The two he didn't play were on third and fourth down. Akers took three of the team's four inside-the-five carries, with the other being a Jared Goff sneak on fourth down to finish out the opening drive.
• Akers played each of the five snaps on third-and-long, plus three of seven on third-and-medium.
• Akers took nine carries for 84 yards in the first quarter alone.

Broncos (32) at Panthers (27)

Broncos

• This was Denver's seventh straight game with both Lindsay and Gordon healthy. In that time, Lindsay has averaged 9.7 carries for 37.1 yards and 0.4 catches for 1.4 yards, scoring just one touchdown. Gordon has averaged 11.4 carries for 57.7 yards and 1.6 catches for 9.1 yards, scoring two TDs.
• Royce Freeman played four snaps, with three of them coming on third-and-medium/long. Gordon also got three of seven snaps on third-and-medium/long.
• Gordon and Lindsay each played two of four snaps inside the 5-yard line, with Gordon getting two carries and Lindsay none. The team had taken just three snaps inside the 5-yard line over its previous six games combined (not sure how that happens), with Gordon playing each of the three. So Gordon seems to have the advantage for goal-line work, if/when the Broncos can provide some on a consistent basis.

Panthers

• Christian McCaffrey was expected back for this game, but he reportedly hurt his thigh/quad while rehabbing from the shoulder injury. It isn't clear if he'll be back for Week 15, or at all this season.
• Trenton Cannon played two snaps (3%) and took one carry for a loss of two yards.
• Curtis Samuel had gains of 12 and 10 on his two carries, but for the first time since Week 1 he didn't take any snaps from the backfield, per PFF. (Samuel took more snaps as a receiver with DJ Moore inactive). Samuel took 3-7 backfield snaps in each game Weeks 8-12.
• Davis rebounded to 73% snap share, after dropping to 57% in Week 12 before the bye. His touches have been pretty steady, however, totaling 21, 18 and now 16 the past three games.
• Davis played each of Carolina's five snaps inside the 10-yard line, including a three-yard TD run. His second score came from 10 yards out, and he played 11 of 13 red-zone snaps.

Texans (7) at Bears (36)

Texans

• With David Johnson placed on the COVID list, Duke made his fifth consecutive start. He played 10 of 12 snaps through Houston's first two drives, but he lost a fumble at the end of that second series, and then lost work to Howell and Prosise
• Howell played 22 of 35 snaps (63%) in the second half, after getting just one snaps before halftime.
• Prosise played 12 snaps in the first half and just one in the second half.

Bears

• Montgomery scored an 80-yard TD on Chicago's first snap of the afternoon. He didn't find a ton of room to run thereafter, yet topped 20 fantasy points for a third straight week. It helps that he faced Green Bay, Detroit and Houston, the same three teams Derrick Henry will see the next three weeks as he tries to make a run at 2,000 yards.
• Montgomery played 71% of snaps in the first half, with Patterson getting 26%. The split was closer after halftime - 60% Montgomery, 40% Patterson.

Cowboys (30) at Bengals (7)

Cowboys

• Pollard got a season-high 11 carries, playing 30-some percent of snaps for a seven time in eight games.
• Elliott's snap share was in the 60s for a sixth time in the past eight games, compared to 88, 93, 98, 77 and 82 percent through the first five games of the year. Those two chunks of time line up with the before-and-after for Dak Prescott's season-ending injury (Week 5).

Bengals

• Bernard made a seventh straight start, having played 64% or more of snaps in five of his previous six starts. Gio lost a fumble on the opening drive, so Cincinnati turned to Williams for its second series. Williams had four touches for 22 yards to help bring the Bengals deep into Dallas territory, before he coughed up a fumble that Aldon Smith returned 78 yards for a touchdown. Perine then took carries on the third drive.
• Williams played 16 of 17 snaps in the second quarter, picking up 34 yards on seven touches. But he got only three snaps after halftime, while Bernard took 15 and Perine took 14. This could be a committee (or not) over the final three weeks, if Joe Mixon (foot) continues to miss games.
• Bernard, Williams and Perine each played four of 12 snaps on third-and-medium/long. Williams saw the most snaps on first downs (41%), though barely ahead of Perine (37%) and Bernard (22%).
• Williams played all three snaps inside the 5-yard line. Each of the three was a pass play.

Titans (31) at Jaguars (10)

Titans

• Henry had four gains of 20 or more yards, including a 36-yard TD. His last play of the afternoon was a 20-yard run with about 12 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
• Prior to the fourth quarter, Henry played 24 of 27 snaps (89%) on first down and 16 of 17 (94%) on second down, but only one of six (17%) on third down.
• D'Onta Foreman and Darrynton Evans both were healthy scratches. Senorise Perry, the No. 3 RB, strictly played special teams.

Jaguars

• Robinson played at least 69 percent of snaps in seven straight games before Sunday, including 97% and 85% in Weeks 12-13. He still got all the RB carries in this blowout loss, and his playing time was impacted by the blowout.
• Robinson played 31 of 44 snaps (71%) through three quarters, followed by nine of 27 (33%) in the fourth quarter.
• Ogunbowale played eight of 11 snaps on third-and-medium/long.
• Ozigbo played each of the final six snaps, which accounted for all his playing time. He caught passes on four of those six

Chiefs (33) at Dolphins (27)

Chiefs

• Edwards-Helaire got the start and the first three touches, but Bell also took a couple snaps (including a 13-yard carry) on the opening drive.
• Edwards-Helaire played 29 of 32 snaps (91%) in the second half, after logging 17 of 30 snaps (57%) before halftime. The final snap share of 74% was the largest of his career, and his first time above 59% since Bell started playing for KC.
• CEH's two largest snap shares of the Bell era (59%, 74%) came in the past two games, with the Chiefs seemingly unimpressed by the veteran, or else pleased with the rookie's progress. Whatever the case, CEH is averaging 13.7 carries and 3.0 targets over his last three games, with Bell at 6.0 and 2.7 over the same stretch.

Dolphins

• Myles Gaskin joined Matt Breida on the COVID-19 list Saturday, and Salvon Ahmed (shoulder) was also unable to play. Washington filled in as the starter and lead runner, though Laird ended up playing three more snaps.
• Washington played 24 of 36 snaps (67%) snaps in the first half, followed by just 15 of 47 (32%) after halftime. The Dolphins turned to Laird once they were trailing by multiple scores and largely relying on their passing attack, but it was Washington who took each of the nine RB carries in the first half.
• Washington played three of four snaps inside the 5-yard line, taking one carry that was stopped for a loss of one yard. Tua Tagovailoa had the team's only other carry inside the five, scoring a one-yard TD two plays after Washington got stuffed.

Cardinals (26) at Giants (7)

Cardinals

• The Cardinals ate up 37:52 of possession, with 43 rush attempts and 35 passes. A huge performance by their defense allowed Drake to set a season high for carries even while Edmonds played half the snaps.
• Drake has been more productive since he returned from an ankle injury, despite giving up more snaps to Edmonds. Over the past five games, Drake averaged 16.4 carries for 67.2 yards and 1.0 TD, plus 2.2 catches for 14.8 yards on 2.8 targets, scoring double-digit PPR points every week.
• Drake played each of Arizona's three snaps inside the 5-yard line, taking two carries for one yard and a touchdown. Drake has 11 carries inside the five over the past five games, playing 17 of 23 snaps (74%) in that area. During the same period, Kyler Murray has taken just three carries inside the five, and Edmonds hasn't seen any.

Giants

• The Giants had five three-and-outs, and none of their 11 drives spanned more than seven plays or 3:16 of game clock.
• Gallman handled his usual role in terms of snap/carry/route/target shares. There just wasn't much to go around in an incompetent showing from the New York passing game, with the Giants QBs combining for eight sacks and two lost fumbles.
• Lewis also lost a fumble, though his was on a kick return rather than on offense.
• Lewis vultured a one-yard TD the third quarter after the Giants converted a 3rd-and-4 with a long pass that came up just shy of the end zone. The team hurried up to the line with its third-down personnel still on the field and let Lewis plunge in for the short score.

Vikings (14) at Buccaneers (26)

Vikings

• Cook played four of seven snaps on third-and-medium/long before the fourth quarter, splitting work with Abdullah in obvious passing situations.
• Cook got 71% snap share and 18 of the 23 RB carries through three quarters, a slightly less dominant workload than what we'd seen in recent weeks (80-plus percent snap share in three of four games Weeks 10-13).
• In the fourth quarter, Cook dropped to 64% of snaps, though he did see a couple targets on the final drive, so it's not like he was ever pulled from the game with the Vikings down by two scores.

Buccaneers

• Leonard Fournette was a healthy scratch. Jones dominated carries, while McCoy handled passing downs. Ke'Shawn Vaughn played four snaps, all in the fourth quarter, and lost three yards on his only carry.
• Jones played 18 of 27 snaps (67%) in the first half, accounting for each of the Bucs' 11 carries.
• McCoy then got 42% of snaps and four of the six carries in the third quarter, before Jones took over the fourth with 75% snap share and five of six carries.

Colts (44) at Raiders (27)

Colts

• Taylor got the start and had seven touches for 62 yards on the opening drive, getting the ball on seven consecutive plays. Hines then handled the next drive, but Taylor got 74% of snaps in the second quarter and 55% after halftime.
• This was Taylor's third straight game with at least 16 touches, 48% snap share and 114 total yards.
• Despite the final score, Indianapolis didn't have any garbage-time work, as a pick-six simultaneously sealed the game and gave the ball right back to the Raiders. Prior to that, Taylor had seven carries for 26 yards and a TD in the fourth quarter.
• Taylor got the lone snap inside the 5-yard line, scoring a three-yard TD. However, Hines had a 5-2 advantage for inside-the-10 snaps, getting one carry and one target in the area.
• Hines played six of 11 snaps on third-and-medium/long, only two more than Taylor (four). The Colts increasingly seem to trust the rookie on passing downs, even if Hines is still preferred in those spots.

Raiders

• Jacobs returned from a one-week absence and finished below his prior season-low of 49% snap share.
• Jacobs played 58% of snaps through three quarters, before sitting out the entire fourth quarter. Richard and Booker took nine snaps apiece in the final frame.
• At the end of the third quarter, Jacobs had 13 carries and five targets, while Booker had three carries and zero targets, and Richard had no carries or targets. In other words, Jacobs got 18 of the 21 RB opportunities before he was pulled from the game.
• Booker and Richard then combined for three carries and eight targets in the fourth quarter.
• Jacobs played two of three snaps inside the 10-yard line prior to that fourth quarter, taking one carry for two yards. (The Raiders never ran a play inside Indy's 5-yard line.)

Jets (3) at Seahawks (40)

Jets

• Gore got the start and took four carries on the opening drive. Johnson got one carry on the opening drive.
• Gore and Johnson played 35% of snaps apiece in the first half, with Gore having a 7-5 carry advantage and 1-0 target advantage. Adams played 19% of snaps, with three carries and one target.
• Gore didn't play in the fourth quarter. Johnson and Adams both played five of 10 snaps and took three carries.
• Johnson played seven of 12 snaps on third-and-medium/long. Adams played one, and the Jets used no RB on four others.

Seahawks

• Carson played 71% of snaps in the first half, with 8-30-1 rushing and 3-22-0 receiving. Hyde had four carries and no targets before the break, handling 29% of snaps.
• Carson then played 38% of snaps in the third quarter, and was held out entirely for the fourth.
• Dallas played each of his eight snaps after halftime, and Hyde took 11 of his 15 carries after the break.
• Hyde played seven of nine snaps on third-and-medium/long, with Dallas getting the other two. Carson was far more of a factor in the passing game, but he wasn't actually on the field in clear passing situations, instead doing his receiving work on first and second downs.

Packers (31) at Lions (24)

Packers

• The snap share was Jones' second-largest of the season, though not much of a difference from his 66% the week prior. He's finished in the 48-to-71 percent range in each of 11 appearances this year.
• Williams got the only snap inside the 5-yard line, a four-yard TD pass to Robert Tonyan.
• Jones played six of eight snaps on third-and-medium/long, solidifying that the Packers trust him just as much as Williams (if not more so) for clear passing downs.

Lions

• Peterson got the start and played nine of 14 snaps (64%) in the first quarter. He logged just seven of 53 snaps (13%) thereafter, while Swift handled 64%.
• Swift played 21 of 33 snaps (64%) on first downs, and 12 of 21 (57%) on second downs.
• Johnson got 10 of 13 snaps on third downs, though Swift did poach three of the 12 plays on third-and-medium/long.
• Peterson and Swift both played two of five snaps inside the 5-yard line, while Johnson played one. Each RB got one carry in that range, with Swift and Johnson converting for touchdowns.

Falcons (17) at Chargers (20)

Falcons

• Gurley was the starter and played eight of 10 snaps in the first quarter, taking six touches for 29 yards.
• Smith then took over with 10 of 15 snaps in the second quarter, while Gurley got only two.
• Smith then played 44% of snaps after halftime, taking nine touches for 41 yards. Gurley (28%) and Hill (16%) still got some playing time in the second half, but they combined for only two carries and two targets.
• Atlanta didn't run any plays inside the 5-yard line, and the only play inside the 10 was a nine-yard TD catch by WR Laquon Treadwell.

Chargers

• Ekeler still hasn't scored a TD in three games since returning from his lengthy absence, but he's averaged 12.3 carries, 11.3 targets and 114.3 total yards.
• Jackson made his first appearance since Week 9
• Ekeler and Ballage played one snap apiece inside the 10-yard line. The Chargers didn't run any plays inside Atlanta's five.
• Ekeler played only seven of 18 snaps (39%) in the fourth quarter, even though it was a close game. Ballage got nine snaps (one carry, one target) in that final quarter, and Jackson got four (with two targets). Kinda strange that Ekeler didn't play more at the end, as it was a tied game for the entire fourth quarter until the Chargers kicked a field goal on the final snap.

Saints (21) at Eagles (24)

Saints

• Kamara's 10 targets were four more than he saw in Taysom Hill's first three starts combined. This was the Saints' first time playing from behind with Hill at quarterback, but Kamara did get half his targets before halftime.
• Murray's 32% snap share was his first time below 40% since Week 8, though he also hasn't gone any higher than 49%. His two worst fantasy performance of the year have been the past two weeks.

Eagles

• After three straight games playing 56-61 percent of snaps, Sanders rebounded to his late-2019, early-2020 role, with his 81% snap share leading all RBs in Week 14. He played 73% of snaps post-halftime Week 13, so this wasn't totally out of nowhere.
• Sanders even played nine of 11 snaps on third-and-medium/long, getting more work than Scott in those situations for a second straight week. It appears the Eagles prefer Sanders in all situations, with Scott mostly used to keep the starter healthy/fresh.
• Sanders played each of the four snaps inside the 10-yard line, taking two carries for six yards and a touchdown.
• Jalen Hurts took 18 carries for 106 yards, or 15 for 110 if we remove his kneel-downs at the end. It isn't ideal for a running back to lose so many carries to his team's QB, but what we saw Sunday at least was better than what Sanders dealt with when the Eagles couldn't get anything going under Carson Wentz.

Football Team (23) at 49ers (15)

Football Team

• McKissic got the start and played at least 50 percent of snaps in each quarter. He even had more carries (six) than Barber (four) in the first half.
• Barber played 16 of 22 (62%) snaps on first downs, with McKissic getting 14 (54%). The dual-tailback formations weren't as prominent with Antonio Gibson (toe) inactive, but they were still a part of Scott Turner's offense.
• McKissic played 14 of 16 snaps on third downs, while Barber took only three (two of those being third-and-short).
• Barber got the lone snaps inside the 5-yard line, an incomplete pass to Terry McLaurin. McKissic played four of six snaps inside the 10-yard line, with Barber getting three. Both RBs got one carry inside the 10. Neither scored.
• McKissic had 86 yards on 13 touches, compared to 38 yards on 14 touches for Barber.
• McKissic went 0-for-2 on passes from Alex Smith, then caught both of his targets after Dwayne Haskins entered the game. Smith has thrown a ton of passes to McKissic this year, but the efficiency has been brutal -- 33 catches for 245 yards on 51 targets (4.8 YPT).

49ers

• Tevin Coleman played two snaps, without any carries or targets. Jerick McKinnon strictly played special teams.
• Mostert and Wilson both have handled 35-50 percent snap share each of the past three weeks since they returned from injured reserve. The Niners backfield has become a two-man split, with Coleman and Jerick McKinnon both phased out.
• Wilson played both snaps inside the 5-yard line. Wilson and Mostert played two snaps apiece inside the 10-yard line, but only Wilson got carries in that area (two of them, including a one-yard TD).
• Over the past three weeks, Mostert has a 5-4 snap advantage inside the 5-yard line, while Wilson has a 4-2 carry advantage. So it isn't 100 percent clear Wilson is the goal-line guy; more like both backs have a shot at some of those easy points.
• Wilson played each of the 13 snaps on third-and-medium/long.
• Mostert played 69% of snaps on first downs, and 56% on second downs.

Steelers (15) at Bills (26)

Steelers

• Conner's first appearance since Week 11 was less than magnificent. He got the start and played 14 of 18 snaps in the first quarter, but his four rushes in the opening framed produced only eight yards, and he then split work with Samuels and Snell in the second quarter.
• Samuels played 17 of 20 snaps in the second half, with Conner getting just three and Snell none at all. The Steelers were trailing my multiple scores and struggling to move the ball — similar to the situations where they broke out their four-wide, zero-RB offense a couple times last month. They didn't do that Sunday night, instead going with Samuels. The Steelers stink at running the ball

Bills

• Benched after his fumble the previous week, Moss returned to his usual role Monday night, confirming that there's no real hope for useful fantasy production in the Buffalo backfield this year.

Ravens (47) at Browns (42)

Ravens

• Mark Ingram technically started... and his first snap was also his last.
• Dobbins played 17 of 28 snaps (61%) in the first half, taking six of the team's 10 RB carries (Edwards got three, Hill took one).
• Dobbins played 19 of 31 snaps (61%) in the second half, taking seven of the 11 RB carries (Edwards got four).
• Hill played six of nine snaps on third-and-medium/long, with Dobbins handling the other three. Hill didn't play any other snaps besides those six.
• Edwards scored from 11 and then 19 yards out, while Dobbins scored a one-yard TD and a two-point conversion. Dobbins played each of Baltimore's three snaps inside the 10-yard line, plus the aforementioned two-point play where he smashed through a defender to give Baltimore a seven-point lead shortly after the two-minute warning.
• Dobbins played only 38% of snaps Week 13, but he's played more than half in four of the past six games, averaging 11.8 carries for 58.3 yards and 0.5 TDs in that stretch. While the rookie still isn't doing much in the passing game, his rushing alone should prove fruitful in home games against the Jags and Giants the next two weeks. Start him, with confidence.

Browns

• The Browns didn't have any snaps inside the five, but they did have seven inside Baltimore's 10-yard line. Hunt played four of those and got one carry (a TD); Chubb played two and got two carries (one TD). Chubb also scored from 14 yards out.
• Chubb played 59% of snaps through three quarters, getting 13 carries and two targets while Chubb had three and four, respectively.
• Per usual, Hunt got more work in the fourth quarter, playing 62% of snaps and seeing three carries and three targets. Chubb played 38% and took four carries.

RB Waiver Targets

(Only includes players below 50 percent rostered on Yahoo.)

1. Jeff Wilson
2. Ito Smith
3. Peyton Barber
4. Ke'Shawn Vaughn
5. DeAndre Washington
6. Tony Pollard
7. Trayveon Williams
8. Justin Jackson
9. Cordarrelle Patterson
10. Samaje Perine
11. Jeremy McNichols