Week 5 vs. Indianapolis
Joique Bell isn't on the fantasy radar until he gets more touches.
Week 17 at Chicago
He didn’t do too much last week in the win over San Francisco, but Joique Bell did score his fourth TD of the year. He finished with 13 rushing and nine receiving yards on nine total touches, while Ameer Abdullah accounted for 48 yards on 12 touches. Joique will remain the short-yardage back, but doesn’t make for a strong fantasy play at Chicago. Bell missed the previous meeting against the Bears this season.
Week 16 vs. San Francisco
After not scoring the previous two weeks, Joique Bell’s late TD at New Orleans last Monday sealed the victory. On the night, he ran for 71 yards on just eight carries, as the Lions ground game totaled 150 yards. He also caught two passes for 30 yards, eclipsing 100 total yards for the first time in ‘15. Ameer Abdullah finished with 77 rushing yards on nine attempts, as the two backs will continue to split time during the final two games. While the 49ers allow nearly 130 yards per game on the ground, Bell again should only be started if you’re in need of an RB.
Week 15 at New Orleans
Joique Bell and Ameer Abdullah each carried the rock seven times and caught two passes last week in St. Louis, but Joique had better results. He ran for 50 yards, including an 18-yard scamper, and his receptions netted an additional 25 yards. Over the final three games of the season, expect both RBs to receive comparable playing time, making neither a good fantasy option. The Saints have allowed a league-worst 136 yards per game on the ground, but Bell should only be started if you’re running low on options.
Week 14 at St. Louis
In the loss to Green Bay last Thursday, Joique Bell carried the ball eight times for just five yards. A few of those carries were near the end of the contest when Detroit was trying to run out the clock, but a 0.6 yards-per-rush average is not good. While he caught two passes for 25 yards, it was another disappointing night for Joique owners. He’ll be going against a St. Louis defense that is No. 23 against the run, but you’re better off keeping Bell on your bench.
Week 13 vs. Green Bay
On Thanksgiving Joique Bell ran for 25 yards and a score against the Eagles. He also caught two passes for 57 yards, including a 39-yard gallop, While Ameer Abdullah is seeing more carries and likely will for the remainder of the season, Joique will receive around 10-12 touches per game. Against the Packers in November, he was limited to 17 yards on 14 carries and should only be started if you’re out of other options on Thursday night.
Week 12 vs. Philadelphia
Joique Bell ran for just 22 yards on six rushes last week against Oakland, but he had a big third down carry that iced the win. Bell also caught an 18-yard pass in the victory. Ameer Abdullah saw twice as many rush attempts as Joique, a trend that will likely continue over the final six games of the season. Detroit has the worst ground attack in the NFL, so there is no reason to start Bell on the short week even against the No. 28 defense at stopping the run.
Week 11 vs. Oakland
The Lions ground attack had another rough game at Green Bay last week, with Joique Bell leading the team with 14 carries for a whopping 17 yards. He also caught two passes for 18 yards. Ameer Abdullah was used for only five rushing attempts, indicating that as long as Joique remains healthy (shoulder injury) he should remain the featured back despite his 2.6 yards-per-carry average this season. The Raiders have one of the worst overall defenses in the league, however Bell should be inserted as a RB3/flex play at best.
Week 10 at Green Bay
In the loss to Kansas City two weeks ago, Joique Bell led the Lions with seven rushes for 56 yards, including a season-long 32-yard run. Ameer Abdullah got himself in the doghouse early, leaving Joique to take most of the carries, but with the Lions so far behind it didn’t matter much. Even after the week off, expect more of the same from Detroit’s offense on Sunday at Green Bay, meaning you’re better off leaving Bell on your bench.
Week 8 vs. Kansas City
After missing the previous three games, Joique Bell returned last Sunday versus the Vikes. Joique received three carries for 21 yards, including a 14-yard scamper. During his absence, Ameer Abdullah didn’t exactly take control of the Lions starting RB position, which means the two should continue to split time. In London this week, Bell does not make for a good fantasy start.
