Around The NFL has been churning out snap reports each week to highlight surprising trends in playing time.
Below is a list of players catching our eye for telling snap counts. Let's find out which players' arrows are pointing up -- and which are trending down.
Calvin Pryor, Jets safety: Two weeks after Rex Ryan admitted Pryor was not meeting expectations, the first-round rookie was benched against the Chiefs. Limited to less than 30 percent of the defensive snaps, Pryor found himself in the old Tim Tebow personal protector role on the punting unit instead. It's been a disappointing start for the "Louisville Slugger," who was too often out of position in the first half of the season.
Marcus Williams, Jets cornerback: Pryor is hardly the only problem in the Jets' secondary. Undrafted out of tiny North Dakota State in May, Williams was Ryan's No. 1 cornerback in his first defensive action of the season last week. Ben Roethlisberger is licking his chops in anticipation of Sunday's game.
Chris Polk, Eagles running back: Relegated to the bench through seven weeks, Polk has seen 14 snaps in each of the past two games. Adding a power element to complement LeSean McCoy and Darren Sproles, Polk rushed for 50 yards on eight carries against the Texans. He was impressive enough to maintain a role going forward.
Akeem Ayers, Patriots linebacker: Picked up for the price of a future special teamer, Ayers has recorded a sack in each of the past two games. The former Titans second-round pick was an every-down player in the victory over the Broncos, playing 74 of 80 snaps.
Chris Borland, 49ers linebacker: The third-round rookie was a monster in his second career start, racking up 22 tackles by the coaches' count last week. He showed impressive power, aggressiveness and instincts as Patrick Willis' replacement. Although he's likely headed back to the bench upon Willis' return, Borland has the look of a future starter.
Will Hill, Ravens safety: Hill earned his first Ravens start last week after enjoying a breakout season with the Giants in 2013. In his third game back from suspension, Hill played nearly every snap. He should have a major role going forward, considering the cornerback shortage in Baltimore.
Antwon Blake, Steelers cornerback: One of the NFL's fastest players, Blake claims to have blazed a 4.18 40-yard dash at UTEP. With Ike Taylor out of the lineup and Cortez Allen benched, Blake took over in the slot and played it as well as any Steelers cornerback has this season. There's no reason to take him out of the lineup going forward.
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