Between the Lines: Week 9 Snap Count Analysis

NFC North

Chicago Bears - Cohen Disappears

Quarterback: Mitchell Trubisky (94%)

Running Backs: Tarik Cohen (55%), Jordan Howard (51%)

Wide Receivers: Taylor Gabriel (86%), Anthony Miller (71%), Josh Bellamy (63%), Javon Wims (12%)

Tight Ends: Trey Burton (78%), Dion Sims (27%)

After four weeks of the Tarik Cohen show, Chicago Bears running back Jordan Howard finally had himself a day. Though Howard was on the field for fewer snaps than Cohen, that was more to do with the Bears getting up 28-0 early than it did with his output. Howard found paydirt twice, finishing as an RB1 for the first time this season. Hey, some guys are just slow starters. He's the RB10 in terms of standard points per game over the past three weeks.

Detroit Lions - Riddick Returns

Quarterback: Matthew Stafford (100%)

Running Back: Kerryon Johnson (56%), Theo Riddick (56%), LeGarrette Blount (16%)

Wide Receiver: Kenny Golladay (97%), Marvin Jones (90%), T.J. Jones (51%)

Tight Ends: Michael Roberts (51%), Luke Willson (49%), Levine Toilolo (23%)

With Golden Tate now in Philadelphia, Detroit Lions running back Theo Riddick wasted no time making an impact in his return from a knee injury. He caught seven passes from Matt Stafford, his second-best total of the season and the most on the team this week. Only 9% owned in Yahoo leagues, he could be a boon to your PPR teams for the rest of the season.

Green Bay Packers - MVS for MVP

Quarterback: Aaron Rodgers (100%)

Running Backs: Aaron Jones (58%), Jamaal Williams (42%)

Wide Receivers: Davante Adams (96%), Marquez Valdes-Scantling (81%), Randall Cobb (76%), Equanimeous St. Brown (20%)

Tight Ends: Jimmy Graham (80%), Lance Kendricks (35%)

While I jest about the MVP talk, Green Bay Packers receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling has certainly made a name for himself over the past few weeks. MVS got an opportunity over the past few weeks because of multiple injuries to his fellow Packers receivers. After four solid games in a row, he already had a legitimate claim for the WR2 spot on the team, even if Geronimo Allison hadn't been placed on injured reserve on Tuesday. As long as Rodgers is chucking the ball, MVS can easily be a WR3 for the rest of the season with much higher upside (he's been a WR2 in standard leagues in three of his past four games). He's on just 39% of Yahoo teams and 21% of ESPN teams as of Tuesday night, numbers that are sure to jump by the time this goes out on Wednesday.

Minnesota Vikings - Take "Sources" With a Grain of Salt

Quarterback: Kirk Cousins (100%)

Running Backs: Dalvin Cook (57%), Latavius Murray (45%)

Wide Receivers: Adam Thielen (92%) Laquon Treadwell (84%), Aldrick Robinson (53%), Chad Beebe (27%)

Tight Ends: Kyle Rudolph (94%), Tyler Conklin (24%), David Morgan (16%)

Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook wasn't supposed to see a big workload in his Week 9 return. Some reports predicted he'd be on the field for just 15 to 20 snaps. Cook, apparently, didn't get that message. Not only did Cook see 28 snaps (57%), he was very efficient when he got the ball, rushing for 89 yards on just 10 carries and adding 20 yards on 4 receptions. While you might not want to start him this week against a Chicago Bears team that is giving up the second-fewest points per game to opposing backs, it's clear that he'll be playing a big role on teams as we inch towards the last few weeks of the fantasy regular season.