Between the Lines: Week 14 Snap Count Analysis

NFC South

Atlanta Falcons - Ito Shuffle

Quarterback: Matt Ryan (100%)

Running Backs: Tevin Coleman (46%), Ito Smith (45%), Brian Hill (13%)

Wide Receivers: Julio Jones (89%), Mohamed Sanu (80%), Calvin Ridley (62%), Justin Hardy (20%)

Tight End: Austin Hooper (77%), Eric Saubert (45%)

For the second week in a row Atlanta Falcons running back Ito Smith was on the field for 45% of the team's snaps. For the second week in a row, he out-touched teammate Tevin Colemand in the rushing game. Not only has he seen more touches over the past two weeks, but his 4.56 yards per carry has easily outpaced Coleman's 3.31. There's a chance his workload could be even bigger this week as the Falcons head into Week 15 as 8.5-point favorites, the second-biggest margin on the slate.

Carolina Panthers - Late Season TE Savior

Quarterback: Cam Newton (99%)

Running Backs: Christian McCaffrey (100%)

Wide Receivers: Curtis Samuel (93%), D.J. Moore (91%), Jarius Wright (51%), Devin Funchess (39%)

Tight End: Ian Thomas (82%), Chris Manhertz (28%)

We all know that it's been a down year for tight ends. There are only a handful of players that are trustworthy on a weekly basis, but it seems like another has emerged from the crowd as we've turned the corner into the fantasy semis. Ian Thomas has taken over the starting tight end role in Carolina and has exceeded all expectations. In the past two weeks he's caught a combined 14 passes for 123 yards. While he hasn't found the end zone, it's hard to argue against a minimum of 9.6 PPR points in each of those weeks.

New Orleans Saints - Top Four or Bust

Quarterbacks: Drew Brees (100%), Taysom Hill (11%)

Running Backs: Alvin Kamara ( 64%), Mark Ingram (45%)

Wide Receiver: Michael Thomas (91%), Tre'Quan Smith (64%), Keith Kirkwood (34%), Austin Carr (22%), Tommylee Lewis (20%)

Tight End: Josh Hill (70%), Benjamin Watson (44%)

You know the drill here, my friends. You use Brees, Kamara, Ingram, and Thomas with calm. You pray for production from everyone else on this team, no matter how much their playing time might indicate that they should be involved.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Quizz Show

Quarterback: Jameis Winston (100%)

Running Backs: Peyton Barber (46%), Jacquizz Rodgers (44%)

Wide Receivers: Mike Evans (87%), Chris Godwin (86%), Adam Humphries (81%), Justin Watson (11%)

Tight Ends: Cameron Brate (66%), Antony Auclair (33%), Alan Cross (13%)

Running back Jacquizz Rodgers seemingly can't be trusted in fantasy, or can he? Since the Bucs' October 28 game against the Cincinnati Bengals, the former Oregon State star has alternated weeks of at least four catches with duds of zero or two (4, 2, 8, 0, 4, 0, 4). That means--of course--that we're in for another dud this week, but you should hold onto him as a championship game wild card, where he's bound to catch at least four passes from Winstpatrick. It just makes sense, folks!