Week 14 vs. Baltimore
LeSean McCoy was one of the best fantasy performers for Week 13 with 24 touches for 191 yards. The only negative was he didn't reach the end zone. The story has been the same all season for Shady. If he gets the touches, he produces. He now has five 100+ yard rushing games in 2016 and has been the key to Buffalo's success on offense.
McCoy has a favorable matchup at home this week against the Steelers, who are 25th in aFPA to running backs. Although Pittsburgh is playing better, McCoy should still do his damage. Start him as a solid RB1 for Week 14.
Week 13 at Oakland
LeSean McCoy seems healthy again and it showed last week. He rushed for 103 yards and two touchdowns and more important he was over 20 touches. Usually when he hits that mark, he has a positive fantasy impact.
The Raiders are next up for Buffalo and are ranked 30th in aFPA to running backs, which points to McCoy having a big game on the west coast. Start him in all leagues and formats, as he is projected to be a top-5 fantasy running back for Week 13.
Week 12 vs Jacksonville
LeSean McCoy returned last week, but that wasn't much help to his owners last week. McCoy only had seven touches and his health is still a concern. He actually had thumb surgery this week, but is expected to play against the Jaguars.
McCoy is the offense for the Bills. They want him to touch the ball at least 25 times a game, but that has not happened every week. He will face Jacksonville, who is 18th in aFPA to running backs, and as long as he gets his touches, McCoy should put up decent numbers. But his health is still a question going into Week 12. Start McCoy, but only as a high-end RB2 against the Jags.
Week 11 at Cincinnati
LeSean McCoy had an off week to rest his sore hamstring and should be in the lineup Sunday against the Bengals. McCoy has been one of the best fantasy running backs when he has been healthy and is the center piece of the Bills offense. Last year against the Bengals, McCoy rushed for 90 yards and a touchdowns.
Cincinnati is 19th in aFPA to running backs this season. This gives us even more optimism for Shady to have a big day, considering he had 25 touches against Seattle before the bye week.
Start McCoy in all leagues and formats as solid RB1 for Week 11.
Week 6 vs. San Francisco
Shady McCoy continues to be the main Bills offensive weapon in the 2016 season. He is averaging around 20 touches per game and had a season-high 150 yards rushing last week. He was held out of the end zone for only the second game this season, but his numbers have been excellent overall and his usage has been very positive.
McCoy has a great matchup this week against a 49ers run defense that is 26th in aFPA to running backs this season. With the consistent work in the backfield and home game against a West Coast team, you have to love McCoy on Sunday. Start him in all leagues and formats as a top-5 fantasy running back.
Week 5 at Los Angeles
LeSean McCoy continues to be the Bills most important offensive player, and he recorded a season-high 25 touches last Sunday against New England. The result was 108 yards from scrimmage and Shady's first receiving touchdown of the season.
McCoy might now become QB Tyrod Taylor's favorite target in the passing game, as WR Sammy Watkins was placed on the IR. The is week's opponent Los Angles is 18th in aFPA to running back, so McCoy should put up decent numbers if the touches are there.
Start McCoy in all leagues and formats as a low-end RB1. He will continue to put up fantasy numbers that were expected coming into the season.
Week 4 at New England
LeSean McCoy rushed for 100 yards and two touchdowns last week against Arizona for his best fantasy outing of the young NFL season. The Bills have to rely on Shady, because he is their best offensive weapon. So, even with teams keying on him, McCoy is capable of putting up good numbers.
McCoy faced the Patriots twice last season and averaged 86 yards per game and scored one touchdown. New England is seventh in aFPA to running backs this season, so it won't be an easy day for Shady on the road.
McCoy will still get his 20 touches, which is enough to rank him as a low-end RB1. Even against a tough Patriots defense, McCoy should be able to put up some decent numbers.
Week 3 vs. Arizona
LeSean McCoy had almost identical games in Weeks 1 and 2, except he did reach the end zone in the season opener. His rushing totals yards were 58 and 59 yards, while he caught four passes in each game. He saw 20 touches in the opener and 19 last week.
There is little doubt that Shady is a major part of the offense, and probably the most important play maker. It won't be easy this week as Buffalo faces an Arizona defense that is considered on of the NFL's best. Early in the season, they are 6th in aFPA to running backs.
With that matchup, McCoy is still a must-start for Week 3, but drops to a high-end RB2 against Arizona. The touches should be similar to the first two weeks, but he might have trouble upgrading his totals this week.
Week 2 vs New York Jets
Although it's not saying much, LeSean McCoy had the best fantasy day of any Buffalo player last Sunday. He had 20 touches for 70 yards and the Bills only touchdown. Even with the Buffalo offense struggling, McCoy will be the main offensive weapon and has even more value in the PPR leagues (4 catches in Week 1).
The Jets run defense was very good on Sunday, allowing just 57 yards, and they now rank 2nd in aFPA to running backs after one week. However, despite the Bills offensive struggles, we expect McCoy to get a minimum of 20 carries again this week. In his only meeting with New York last year, he rushed for 112 yards.
There is no doubt, he will be the focus of Buffalo's offense, so start him. But he's only a high-end RB2 on Thursday, as the Bills have to prove Week 1 was a fluke.
Week 1 at Baltimore
When the Bills traded for LeSean McCoy and gave him a big contract, Buffalo was hoping for one of the best running backs in the NFL. There were mixed results in 2015. McCoy did not reach the 1,000 yard mark for only the second time since his rookie season and both times, he missed four games. The Bills did bring in Reggie Bush, but he is only going to get some touches here and there and the man who was getting McCoy's touches last year Karlos Williams was waived during training camp.
Buffalo wants to run the football and no doubt Shady will be the main man. This should keep him relevant from a fantasy standpoint. Week 1 opponent Baltimore had an average run defense in 2015, so there is not distinct advantage either way.
We expect at least 20 touches for McCoy and since the Ravens defense is not as good as it once was, McCoy is a top-10 back for Week 1. Start him in all leagues and formats. If he stays healthy, he should be in the top-10 for most of the season.
