• The Detroit Lions flipped the script in their backfield: Jahmyr Gibbs handled the early workload and wore down the Ravens‘ defense, setting the stage for a big third-quarter play by David Montgomery.

• The Ravens’ multiple X receivers: Rashod Bateman, DeAndre Hopkins and Devontez Walker all made impact plays in Week 3. While that’s encouraging for Baltimore’s offense, the rotation limits consistency and makes it a headache for fantasy managers.

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PFF’s fantasy football recap focuses on player usage and stats, breaking down all the vital information you need to achieve fantasy success in 2025.

The Lions lean heavily on Jahmyr Gibbs: Gibbs logged a season-high snap share, while David Montgomery’s usage dipped to a season low.

The Lions have typically leaned on David Montgomery early in games and at the start of the second half, gradually shifting to Jahmyr Gibbs as each half progresses. However, that trend has flipped over the past two weeks. Gibbs played all nine snaps on the first two drives last week and all 14 snaps on the opening two drives this week.

In Week 3, Gibbs logged 12 first-half carries — tied for the second-most in a first half in his career. The only other instances where he reached that mark came in games where Montgomery was inactive. He also saw five first-half targets, setting a new career high.

The Lions didn’t control time of possession in the second half as they did in the first, and began spreading the ball around more. Still, Jahmyr Gibbs continued to outpace David Montgomery in usage relative to previous games. Gibbs finished with 27 touches — a career high in a game in which Montgomery was also active. If this trend holds, Gibbs should remain an elite fantasy option moving forward.

Montgomery found the end zone early, ripped off a 72-yard run in the third quarter and added a 31-yard touchdown in the final minutes. But despite the big fantasy output, his snap share continued to decline. Given the shift in usage, Montgomery looks like a strong sell-high candidate, given his big game mixed with his decreased snap share.

Rashod Bateman plays a decreased role for a second straight game: Bateman recorded a snap share of 60% or less for the second consecutive week.

Rashod Bateman averaged a 67.5% snap share last season, including 84.7% of snaps in three-receiver sets and 77.1% in two-receiver sets. However, he was rarely used in one-receiver formations, appearing on just 12 of the Ravens’ 180 such plays.

This year, Bateman’s usage in three-receiver sets has stayed consistent, but his snap share in two-receiver sets has dropped below 50% in back-to-back weeks. With both DeAndre Hopkins and Devontez Walker also operating primarily as X receivers, Bateman’s role has become more limited. While he did catch a short touchdown and made a few key plays late, Hopkins and Walker have been far more efficient this season in terms of yards per route run.

It’s nearly impossible to trust Rashod Bateman in fantasy with his current snap share. If DeAndre Hopkins and Devontez Walker continue to produce, this could evolve into a full rotation at the X receiver spot. The Ravens have also been without Isaiah Likely and Patrick Ricard, and once they return, Baltimore may shift to more one- and two-receiver sets.

The game script has also played a role. Baltimore has faced pass-heavy matchups against the Bills and Lions, and they’ll see the Chiefs next week before hitting a much softer stretch of the schedule. All signs point to Bateman running even fewer routes in the coming weeks.

Bateman can likely be dropped in most redraft leagues given the role decline and its expected trajectory. Similarly, Hopkins is a cut candidate wherever he’s still rostered. At 33 years old, having played under 50% of snaps each of the past two seasons, even dynasty managers should consider moving on in favor of younger upside.

Miscellaneous Notes

• Lions’ third-string tight end Shane Zylstra was placed on injured reserve last Tuesday after suffering an ankle injury last week. The Lions elevated Ross Dwelley from the practice squad to take his place.
• Lions backup running back Sione Vaki, who missed the first two weeks with a hamstring injury, was a full participant in practice all week and wasn’t given an injury designation. However, he suffered a groin injury on a special teams play.
• To make room for Vaki on the game day roster, Craig Reynolds was a healthy inactive. Reynolds had been active for the Lions’ previous 40 games and played at least eight snaps on offense and special teams in all 40. He’s been on the Lions roster since 2021.
• The Lions were the first NFL team to use the Maryland-I since the Chicago Bears in Week 6 of 2023. It may or may not be a coincidence that the Lions chose to use this formation while playing in Maryland.
• Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely (foot) and fullback Patrick Ricard (calf) missed their third straight game. Zaire Mitchell-Paden was elevated from the practice squad to take their place, similar to the first two weeks of the season.
• Mark Andrews’ playing time was slightly different from future weeks. His overall playing time was similar, but he was more frequently on the field in 11 personnel and on the field less often for 12 personnel. However, his usage will likely change again once Likely and Ricard are back. Regardless, it was good to see his target rate improve this week.
• Ravens running back Keaton Mitchell remains inactive despite being healthy due to his limited contribution to special teams.

Table Notes

• Snaps include plays called back due to penalties, including offensive holding or defensive pass interference. The other three stats have these plays removed.

• Targets may differ from official NFL sources. The most likely discrepancy would be from a clear thrown-away pass, where the NFL may give the target to the nearest receiver, while this data will not.

• Carries are only on designed plays. Quarterback scrambles won’t count for the total number of carries in the game.