Between the Lines: Week 9 Snap Count Analysis

AFC North

Baltimore Ravens - Could Jackson Take Over?

Quarterbacks: Joe Flacco (90%), Lamar Jackson (21%)

Running Backs: Alex Collins (51%), Javorius Allen (43%)

Wide Receivers: Willie Snead (70%), Michael Crabtree (70%), John Brown (64%), Chris Moore (39%)

Tight Ends: Hayden Hurst (44%) Mark Andrews (44%), Nick Boyle (34%)

The Baltimore Ravens are getting a much needed week off. After starting 4-2, they've lost three straight games and now have three more losses than the Pittsburgh Steelers. While it's not yet time to call for Lamar Jackson to take over for Joe Flacco as the starting quarterback, those rumblings may begin to surface over the next month. The Ravens have games against the Cincinnati Bengals, Atlanta Falcons, and Kansas City Chiefs in three of their next four games. If they drop even two of those, it's going to be very tough for them to see a path to the playoffs. If Jackson does take over and you've been streaming QBs all season, his Week 15 matchup (fantasy semifinals) is against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Sometimes it's fun to ask, "Why not?".

Cincinnati Bengals - Bye Week

Cleveland Browns - It's Duke's World. We're just living in it.

Quarterback: Baker Mayfield (96%)

Running Backs: Nick Chubb (49%), Duke Johnson (47%)

Wide Receivers: Jarvis Landry (97%), Antonio Callaway (52%), Rashard Higgins (39%), Breshad Perriman (35%), Damion Ratley (27%),

Tight Ends: David Njoku (73%), Darren Fells (35%), Orson Charles (23%)

Well, now. It didn't take long for Duke Johnson to become fantasy relevant once Hue Jackson left town. Johnson caught 9 passes for 78 yards and a couple of scores, all season highs. If interim head coach Gregg Williams continues to use him like that, Johnson could make a huge difference in the fortunes of many a fantasy player down the stretch.

Pittsburgh Steelers - Opponents Don't Matter When Conner Gets the Rock

Quarterback: Ben Roethlisberger (99%)

Running Backs: James Conner (84%)

Wide Receivers: Antonio Brown (100%), JuJu Smith-Schuster (95%), James Washington (86%), Ryan Switzer (16%)

Tight Ends: Vance McDonald (63%), Jesse James (43%)

James Conner had many believers before the season started. If anybody predicted the season he is having, however, then I want to know how they figured that out. Conner has been simply plowing his way through every team he faces. He has compiled an astounding 474 rushing yards, 215 receiving yards, and 7 touchdowns in his past four games. Those 689 combined yards in that span rank second to only Todd Gurley's 698. Gurley had an extra game to get those extra nine yards. He just compiled 163 total yards and a score against a Baltimore Ravens. Joe Mixon had the previous best this year at 87 yards in Week 3. Even if Le'Veon Bell comes back this year, Conner has been good enough that he should still see some significant volume.