KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Nose tackle Dontari Poe hadn't played particularly well in recent games, perhaps in part because the Kansas City Chiefs had been utilizing the 346-pounder so much. Poe had rarely come out of games over the past several weeks.
That changed in Sunday's 31-13 win over the Oakland Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium. Poe was in the lineup for 59 of Oakland's 80 snaps, or 74 percent. The Chiefs rested Poe, and some of their other starters, later in the game because they had a comfortable lead. But Poe was also out of the game on occasion when the outcome was still in doubt.
The Chiefs also provided more relief for linebacker Tamba Hali, who is bothered by soreness in his knee. Hali played 58 snaps and was out of the lineup on occasion before the Chiefs had moved to their big lead.
Rookie linebacker Dee Ford was in for 38 plays.
Some offensive snap-count observations:
The Chiefs made a change at left guard, replacing the injured and struggling Mike McGlynn with veteran Jeff Linkenbach, who was in for all of the Chiefs' 67 plays.
Travis Kelce again played more at tight end than Anthony Fasano, who also is bothered by a sore knee. Kelce played 52 snaps, Fasano 42.
Jason Avant may have taken the slot receiver spot from Junior Hemingway. Avant played 25 snaps, Hemingway just two on offense. This was Hemingway's first game in three weeks after his concussion, but he still played 27 snaps on special teams.
Players on both sides of the ball got playing time when they usually get little or none. Quarterback Chase Daniel was in for six snaps, while running back Charcandrick West got one. At linebacker, Frank Zombo was in for 15 plays and Josh Martin for 13. At safety, Kelcie McCray and Daniel Sorensen each received 12 snaps. Defensive lineman Nick Williams was in for two plays.
