Between the Lines: Week 8 Snap Count Analysis

NFC North

Chicago Bears - Bellamy Bump

Quarterback: Mitchell Trubisky (100%)

Running Backs: Jordan Howard (58%), Tarik Cohen (58%)

Wide Receivers: Josh Bellamy (83%), Anthony Miller (73%), Taylor Gabriel (67%), Kevin White (44%)

Tight Ends: Trey Burton (73%), Dion Sims (30%)

While he may not be a guy you want to target yet, Josh Bellamy's fantasy stock--at least temporarily--is on the rise. With Allen Robinson on the sidelines against the New York Jets, Bellamy was on the field for 83% of the Bears' snaps, by far his highest number of the season (his previous best was 24% in Week 3). If Robinson is forced to sit again in the future and the Bears have a good matchup, then Bellamy might garner some interest in daily leagues. In season-long leagues, however, there is no need to pick him up.

Detroit Lions - Kerryon Becomes Workhorse

Quarterback: Matthew Stafford (100%)

Running Back: Kerryon Johnson (81%), LeGarrette Blount (12%)

Wide Receiver: Marvin Jones (97%), Kenny Golladay (92%), Golden Tate (92%)

Tight Ends: Luke Willson (61%), Michael Roberts (31%), Levine Toilolo (24%)

If it wasn't already clear, the Detroit Lions have finally figured out how to use their running backs. Kerryon Johnson saw the field on 81% of the Lions' snaps. No other back has seen more than 59% in a game this season. Though he didn't see much ground work because the Lions got down 21-7 at the half, Detroit still found ways to use him. He finished with 6 catches on 8 targets for 69 receiving yards, all season highs. This is confirmation of their trust in him, and it solidifies his spot in RB1 discussions. As mentioned, the Lions traded away Golden Tate to the Philadelphia Eagles. This is a huge boost to both Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones' value. We'll have to see who steps up as the new WR3.

Green Bay Packers - Jones Takes Control of Backfield

Quarterback: Aaron Rodgers (100%)

Running Backs: Aaron Jones (62%), Jamaal Williams (25%), Ty Montgomery (12%)

Wide Receivers: Davante Adams (77%), Marquez Valdes-Scantling (60%), Geronimo Allison (58%), Randall Cobb (46%),

Tight Ends: Jimmy Graham (88%), Marcedes Lewis (23%)

Glad you joined the party, Mike McCarthy! Aaron Jones finally saw the workload we've all been hoping for. He saw the field for 62% of the Packers' snaps this week. That's a 35% bump from last week and matches the high for any Green Back running back this season. He turned 12 carries into 86 yards and a score. Jamaal Williams and Ty Montgomery had 15 rushing yards combined. Jones' 56.82% rushing success rate leads the league, and his 0.24 Rushing New Expected Points per Carry ranks second to only Marlon Mack (both stats are for runners with at least 40 carries). Given this type of workload going forward, Jones should be no worse than a mid-tier RB2 with upside for much more.

Minnesota Vikings - Dalvin Should Watch Out

Quarterback: Kirk Cousins (100%)

Running Backs: Latavius Murray (84%), Mike Boone (12%)

Wide Receivers: Adam Thielen (96%), Stefon Diggs (91%), Laquon Treadwell (74%)

Tight Ends: Kyle Rudolph (81%), David Morgan (35%)

At this point, does it matter if Dalvin Cook comes back? Sure, he'd be upset not to play, and you would as well if you drafted him early. However, Latavius Murray's recent play has made him seem irrelevant. Among backs with at least 40 carries, he ranks 13th in our Rushing NEP per Carry metric. He has now scored four touchdowns in his past three games and is averaging 4.7 yards per carry. If Cook is out again this week, fire Murray up once more as he faced a Detroit Lions defense that is giving up the fifth-most standard points to opposing running backs this season.