Thorman’s Snaps and Pace: Week 5

Welcome to the Week 5 edition of Snaps & Pace, where we examine trends in play volume and game pace. It is meant to be a 30,000-foot view of upcoming contests, with the goal of identifying which matchups will — and which will not — be played on fertile fantasy soil. For a primer on why this is important, click here.

We have enjoyed an opening month filled with excellent matchups, but it’s about to catch up with us on a Week 5 main slate that leaves much to be desired. Pace-pushing outfits from Kansas City, Buffalo, Los Angeles, and (theoretically) Seattle all play in prime time. Other fast offenses face slow counterparts in Arizona, Carolina, Houston, Jacksonville, Washington, and at the Chargers. Nevermind whatever the hell is happening in London on Sunday morning.

Still, we have a 12-game main slate to dig into, even if there’s more fat than meat on the bone. As a wise toddler once said, “You get what you get, and you don’t get upset …unless you’re waking up at 6am on the west coast for Jets/Falcons.”

As always, “situation neutral” is meant to provide context, refers to plays while the game is within seven points during the first three quarters (minus the final two minutes of the first half), and is derived via the intrepid RotoViz Pace Tool.

Up In Pace

New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys

Could it be as simple as the Giants were always going to start slowly against a stiff early schedule, with several new offensive pieces getting acclimated? After a discouraging opening few games, New York appeared to click in the Superdome against a worthy Saints defense. The Giants lead the league in no-huddle rate (36%), although they are operating at a middling situation-neutral pace (16th). Their 60% pass rate ranked 11th on the week, and New York is up to 13th for the season. Saquon Barkley and Kenny Golladay appear fully back from injury to add an explosive element, and to his credit, Daniel Jones is currently PFF’s second-best-graded passer.