Week 1 at Cleveland Browns
In his first game back after serving a three-week suspension to open the season last year, Bell had over 170 total yards, including 144 on 18 rushing attempts, against Kansas City. The Chiefs defense is better than what Cleveland will put on the field in this game. Bell is fresh and ready to show he deserves a big, new deal at the end of the season. He should be ready for 20-25 touches, which should add up to a big day for the do-everything running back.
Fantasy Upside
Le'Veon Bell has averaged 128.7 total yards per game over the course of his four-year career, including 157 yards per game last season. He's an outstanding runner, and might be the best receiver out of the backfield in the league, as his 6.25 catches per game last season would attest.
Fantasy Downside
Bell has played in 47 out of a possible 64 games the past four seasons due to injuries and suspension. He's coming off a surgery to repair a torn groin that knocked him out of last year's AFC Championship. Despite all the rushing and receiving yards, his career high in total touchdowns is 11, set in 2014.
2017 Bottom Line
If Bell isn't the first pick in your draft, he should be no worse than number two. He has averaged over 100 rushing yards per game over the past two seasons and is a threat to catch 70-plus passes. Draft him without worry and watch the fantasy points pile up.
AFC Championship at New England
Another game, another record for Bell. He had 170 yards rushing last week to break his own team record, set just one week before. He has 59 carries for 337 yards in the playoffs, the most for a player in his first two postseason games in NFL history. Bell hasn't been as big a factor in the passing game, but that could change against New England. The Patriots allowed 102 receptions to running backs this season (second most in the NFL), and Bell had 10 catches against them - in addition to 81 yards rushing - putting up 140 total yards in their meeting earlier this season. Bill Belichick might want to take Bell away from the Steelers, but so has everyone else. It hasn't worked. Bell has 1,172 rushing yards in his past eight games. Keep on riding him.
Divisional Round at Kansas City
Bell set a Steelers' playoff record with 167 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 29 rushing attempts last week, and though he caught just two passes for seven yards, he now has six 100-yard games in his last seven outings. Kansas City ranked 26th in the NFL against the run this season and gave up 144 yards on 18 carries and 34 yards on five receptions to Bell in a Pittsburgh blowout earlier this year. Bell is on an amazing roll with 1,002 yards rushing in his last seven games. He might be the surest thing going this weekend despite the weather conditions - and maybe because of them.
Wild Card Round vs. Miami
Bell will make his postseason debut after missing the playoffs in each of the previous two seasons because of injury. He had 53 yards on 10 carries and caught six passes for 55 yards in a loss in Miami all the way back in Week 6. But the Steelers are much more committed to getting him 20-plus catches now - as they did six weeks in a row before having him sit out last week - and he has averaged 139 yards rushing per game over that period. Miami is more vulnerable against the pass than it is the run, but Bell also will take advantage of a Dolphins defense that allowed opposing running backs to catch 90 passes. He's the top running back in fantasy football this week.
Week 16 vs. Baltimore
Bell failed to get to 100 rushing yards for the first time in five weeks, but had 93 yards on 23 carries to go along with five catches for 38 yards. It marked the 10th game with 100 or more total yards in 11 games this season. Of course, the only time he didn't reach 100 total yards was in the first matchup with Baltimore. But the Steelers have been on a roll since then offensively in terms of Bell's usage, and the Ravens allowed 156 yards and a score to Philadelphia's backs last week. Bell's an elite option in all formats.
Week 15 at Cincinnati
Bell had a career day, setting a team-record with 236 rushing yards and three scores on 38 carries while also catching four passes for 62 yards, just missing a 300-total-yardage day. The only time in his career that he's played in Cincinnati, he had a similar day, rushing for 185 yards and gaining 50 through the air to go along with two rushing TDs and one receiving. The Bengals are 27th in our fantasy rankings against running backs. You do the math. Bell has been on fire the past month and that will continue.
Week 14 at Buffalo
Bell had his third-straight 100-yard game, going for 118 yards against a tough Giants' run defense. And though he failed to get into the end zone, he did his usual damage in the passing game, catching six passes for 64 yards. With weather likely to be an issue in Buffalo this weekend and the Bills' soft run defense - they have allowed 13 rushing TDs to running backs - Bell should easily get another 30-touch game. That alone makes him a RB1. But he should have plenty of success, as well, which makes him possibly the best fantasy start of the weekend.
Week 13 vs. Giants
Bell had 120 yards rushing and a score and four receptions for 22 yards at Indianapolis. The receptions were his fewest this season, as Pittsburgh wasn't forced to attack much in the second half. That likely won't be the case this week against the Giants. New York has allowed nine rushing TDs this season and Bell presents a unique challenge for any defense due to his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. He's a solid start this week.
Week 12 at Indianapolis
Bell had a monster game last week rushing for 146 yards and a touchdown and catching eight passes for 55 yards. It marked the fourth 200-yard game of his career. He had 36 touches, which is concerning on a short week, but with DeAngelo Williams still likely out at least one more game, there's no help in sight. Bell should get 25 or so touches in this game against an Indianapolis defense that will have a tough time keeping him in check. He might be the top fantasy play among non-QBs this week.
