Week 17 at Miami Dolphins
LeSean McCoy had 22 touches last week and continues to be the main offensive weapon for Buffalo. He is second in touches in the NFL and with a possible playoff berth on the line, we don't expect the Bills to change anything. They will ride Shady all afternoon.
McCoy faces the Dolphins this week, who are ranked 28th in aFPA to running backs. He scored 2 touchdowns in the meeting between these two teams two weeks ago and we expect more production on Sunday. Start McCoy in all leagues and formats as a top-five fantasy running back.
Week 16 at New England Patriots
LeSean McCoy continues to be one of the most consistent running backs in the NFL. Last week, he scored 2 touchdowns and had 24 touches. Shady is especially effective when he gets 20+ touches. He is listed as questionable with a banged-up knee but should play.
McCoy faces a Patriots defense ranked ninth in aFPA to running backs. In the first meeting with New England earlier this month, McCoy recorded 102 yards from scrimmage on 17 touches. He was fairly effective, but probably should have had more touches. McCoy is rated as a low-end RB1 for Week 16.
Week 15 vs. Miami Dolphins
LeSean McCoy is hoping for another blizzard in Buffalo this weekend. In the snow against the Colts, he rushed for 156 yards on 32 carries and the game-winning touchdown in overtime. He is nursing a sore knee but practiced on Thursday so he will be ready to go.
McCoy will face a Dolphins defense that is due for a letdown after shutting down Tom Brady in Miami on Monday. They also rank 23rd in aFPA to running backs in 2017, which gives the edge to Shady.
He has been consistent all year when given the touches and with another cold day expected in western New York, expect the Bills to ride McCoy all afternoon. Start him as a top fantasy running back for Week 15.
Week 14 vs. Indianapolis Colts
LeSean McCoy had 102 yards from scrimmage last week against New England. Not a bad number considering how bad the Bills offense was. Shady is still ranked fifth in touches in the NFL and we expect a normal workload of 20+ touches from him on Sunday.
This is also a great matchup for McCoy as he faces a Colts defense ranked 30th in aFPA to running backs. One negative is the Bills could be without QB Tyrod Taylor which will put more pressure on McCoy to perform.
The Bills will lean heavily on McCoy and he should have a big afternoon. Start him as a top-five fantasy running back for Week 14.
Week 13 vs. New England Patriots
LeSean McCoy didn't put up great numbers last week with 79 yards from scrimmage but he did put up the most important number: 26 touches. That was his highest total since Week 8. We know and the Bills know McCoy is their best offensive weapon. It just seems sometimes Buffalo forgets.
McCoy will face a New England defense ranked 13th in aFPA to running backs. Shady only faced the Pats once last season but had a big day with 108 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown.
McCoy is definitely in play this week as he ranks as a solid RB1. Start him in all leagues and formats.
Week 12 at Kansas City Chiefs
LeSean McCoy had his third 100+ rushing game of the season and scored 2 touchdowns, although most of it came as the Bills were trying to rally from a big deficit. McCoy is not impacted by the QB situation from the standpoint he is the best offensive player on the roster and will get the football regardless who is throwing the ball.
McCoy has a tough matchup against Kansas City, who is ranked fifth in aFPA to running backs. The Chiefs have not been the offensive juggernaut they were at the beginning of the season, but the defense is still very strong.
McCoy will still get touches and he is talented enough to turn them into fantasy numbers that have an impact, even against a good team. Start McCoy in all leagues and formats as a top fantasy running back for Week 12.
Week 11 at Los Angeles Chargers
After carrying the at least 19 times for four straight games, LeSean McCoy only has total 20 carries over the past two games. Not sure why Shady is not getting his usual touches, but Buffalo will have to figure out how to get him involved considering the last two games have resulted in losses. The Bills will also turn to rookie QB Nathan Peterman, so we will see how that impacts McCoy and the rest of the Buffalo offense.
One reason we feel this will be a bounce back game for McCoy is he is facing the Chargers who are 25th in aFPA to running backs. As long as they get Shady the ball, his numbers should be good. Start him as a solid RB1 for Week 11.
Week 10 vs. New Orleans Saints
LeSean McCoy had an off-week with only 12 touches against the Jets. Part of the issue was only 1 target in the passing game which produced 0 receptions for the first time this season.
McCoy faces the Saints, who are ranked 20th in aFPA vs. RBs, so we expect a full bounce back game. The Bills do not want Shady to not get his touches so it will be a major part of the game plan.
Start McCoy in all leagues and formats as a top-five fantasy running back for Week 10.
Week 9 at New York Jets
LeSean McCoy had his best game of the season last Sunday. He rushed for 151 yards and a touchdown. He also added 6 receptions for 22 yards. McCoy continues to be the focus of the Bills offense. He continues to get 20+ touches every week which allows him to be very productive.
McCoy will face the Jets, who are ranked 23rd in aFPA to running backs. As long as the touches continue to happen, McCoy will rack up fantasy numbers. He ran for 110 yards against the Jets in Week 1. The Bills also added WR Kelvin Benjamin in a trade that should help the passing game, and which will trickle down to helping McCoy's numbers.
Start McCoy in all leagues and formats—he's a top-five fantasy running back in Week 9.
Week 8 vs. Oakland Raiders
LeSean McCoy had his best game of the season last week against Tampa with 122 yards from scrimmage, but more importantly, he also scored his first 2 touchdowns of the season. McCoy has been the No. 1 option in the Bills' offense, but has been up and down. The lack of scoring has knocked his ranking down a little bit in recent weeks because of production. His touches aren't an issue as he has recorded 20+ in every game but one this season.
Shady will face an average Raiders run defense this Sunday—Oakland ranks 15th in aFPA to running backs. But we expect McCoy to be able to put up very good numbers again as long as he still gets the targets, which is expected.
Start McCoy as a top-five fantasy running back in all leagues and formats for Week 8.
