Between the Lines: Week 16 Snap Count Analysis

NFC North

Chicago Bears - Unreliable Gabriel

Quarterback: Mitchell Trubisky (100%)

Running Backs: Jordan Howard (62%), Tarik Cohen (52%), Taquan Mizzell (14%)

Wide Receivers: Taylor Gabriel (80%), Allen Robinson (69%), Anthony Miller (45%), Josh Bellamy (34%)

Tight Ends: Trey Burton (78%), Adam Shaheen (45%)

The Bears can still finish with the NFC's number two seed, so all of their starters should be ready to be used at 100% this week. They'll need to beat the Vikings (and get a loss from the Rams) to do so. When the two teams met earlier this season, the game plan called for a heavy dose of Taylor Gabriel, who finished with 7 catches on 9 targets for 52 yards. Gabriel, who was on the field for a team-leading 80% of the Bears' snaps in Week 16, has seen just six combined targets in the past two weeks, though he's reeled in all six. It might be tough to rely on him this week. Offense in general might be hard to come by, as the total for the game is set at just 41 points, currently the third-lowest total of the week.

Detroit Lions - Zenner Is As Zenner Does

Quarterback: Matthew Stafford (80%), Matt Cassel (20%)

Running Back: Theo Riddick (44%), Zach Zenner (36%), LeGarrette Blount (29%)

Wide Receiver: Andy Jones (83%), Kenny Golladay (77%), T.J. Jones (69%), Brandon Powell (20%)

Tight Ends: Levine Toilolo (61%), Jerome Cunningham (27%), Luke Willson (17%)

While he may not have won you a championship in Week 16, Zach Zenner was still the most effective running back for the Lions. He rushed 8 times for 45 yards (5.6 yards per tote) and added 2 catches for 22 yards in the receiving game. Theo Riddick was on the field more often for the Lions but saw just seven touches. There's no reason to expect Zenner won't be the focal point in the rushing attack once again in a meaningless Week 17 game against a porous Green Bay defense.

Green Bay Packers - MVS MVP

Quarterback: Aaron Rodgers (100%)

Running Backs: Jamaal Williams (95%)

Wide Receivers: Davante Adams (96%), Marquez Valdes-Scantling (79%), Jake Kumerow (63%), Equanimeous St. Brown (43%)

Tight Ends: Jimmy Graham (70%), Lance Kendricks (18%), Robert Tonyan (16%), Marcedes Lewis (12%)

Well, MVP is really overstating it. Still, Marquez Valdes-Scantling has been a fun player to watch this season. With Randall Cobb out last week with a concussion, MVS saw his snap share jump from 31% to 79%, the second most of all Packers receivers. If Cobb is out again this week, MVS has a chance for a solid game against the Lions, a team he torched for 7 catches, 68 yards, and a score earlier this season.

Minnesota Vikings - Avoid the Run Game

Quarterback: Kirk Cousins (100%)

Running Backs: Dalvin Cook (75%), Latavius Murray (25%)

Wide Receivers: Adam Thielen (93%), Stefon Diggs (85%), Aldrick Robinson (52%), Brandon Zylstra (10%)

Tight Ends: Kyle Rudolph (95%), David Morgan (38%), Tyler Conklin (15%)

Dalvin Cook saw the field for 75% of the team's snaps in Week 16, marking the third time in four games he's seen that high of a snap share. Even if he makes it four of five with this week's game, it will be hard to trust him against a Bears defense he mustered just 12 yards against earlier this year. The Bears are giving up just 81.1 yards on the ground per game, second-best in the league. Avoid Cook and the Vikings' run game this week.