Week 11 at Cleveland
Bell had 17 carries for 57 yards and a touchdown - his first rushing TD of the season - and added nine receptions on 10 targets for 77 yards and another score last week. The rushing yards have been hard to come by this season, but Bell makes up for that in the passing game. Now, he faces a Cleveland defense that has given up at least one rushing touchdown to opposing backs in eight of 10 games this season. This should be a game in which Bell can feast, especially with DeAngelo Williams still expected to be sidelined. He's a great start in all formats.
Week 10 vs. Dallas
Bell was completely bottled up at Baltimore last week, gaining just 32 yards on 14 carries, though he did have six receptions for 38 yards. But it was his worst game, by far, of the season. Dallas has limited opposing running backs to the 8th-fewest points in fantasy football this season but has largely done that by playing keep away. Opposing backs have topped 20 carries against them just twice this season. Bell's usage in the passing game is key and will make the difference here. He's also due to score since he hasn't in his past eight games.
Week 9 at Baltimore
Bell ripped through the Ravens for 129 yards on 22 carries with seven receptions for 21 yards with a TD in his only game against Baltimore last season. And that was with Mike Vick at quarterback. He's averaging an NFL-high 147.3 yards from scrimmage since returning to the lineup this season, though he has now gone seven games without a touchdown. Baltimore has only allowed three rushing touchdowns this season, but Bell is certainly due. He's a must-start in all formats.
Week 7 vs. New England
Bell had just 10 carries for 53 yards, but added a team-high six catches for another 55 yards last week at Miami for his third consecutive 100-yard outing in three games. He has yet to score, however, limiting his overall damage. With Ben Roethlisberger out, look for Bell to get back to getting 25-30 touches this week. The Steelers have a bye next week for him to rest up. New England has allowed just three RB TDs this season - two rushing and one receiving - but Bell is a handful as a receiver and the Patriots have given up 36 running back catches. As usual, he's a strong start.
Week 6 at Miami
Bell hauled in a career-high 9 passes for 88 yards last week and also rushed for 66 yards, putting him over 150 total yards in each of his two games this season. Does that sound like somebody you'd like to have in your lineup? Absolutely. Miami is allowing 131 yards rushing per game to running backs this season. He's a must-play in all formats and might be fantasy football's top play this week.
Week 5 vs. New York Jets
Bell got 23 touches in his return to the lineup, rushing 18 times and catching five passes for 178 total yards last week. DeAngelo Williams did vulture a touchdown, but it came after a 44-yard run by Bell, so he was a little gassed. You shouldn't worry that's going to happen too often. The Jets pose a formidable challenge, allowing 3.1 yards per carry, but Bell's only going to get better in the passing games. He's a top start again this week.
Week 4 vs. Kansas City
Bell returns from suspension this week, and head coach Mike Tomlin said we'll see plenty of him in this game. Ben Roethlisberger said the team will use both he and Williams at times, which means Bell will be split out wide with Williams in the backfield. Bell has plenty of motivation to have a big game. He's a must-start in all formats.
Le'Veon Bell preseason outlook
Bell missed 10 games in 2015 due to suspension and a season-ending torn MCL, but is expected to be fully back for the start of training camp. He also now has a 3-game suspension for missing mandatory drug tests to open the season. The Steelers will take it easy with their franchise back in the preseason, but don't let that fool you. He'll be getting 20-25 touches per game when he gets back onto the field in Week 4. And Bell told me he feels better about his knee this year than he did after a sprained MCL sidelined him for the playoffs in 2014 because he had a surgery to repair the issue instead of letting it heal on its own. Bell has averaged 119 yards from scrimmage in games he's played, but he has missed 16 of 51 games - including the playoffs - in his career. He's in a contract season, however, and wants big-time money. As such, it wouldn't be surprising to see him make a run at Chris Johnson's NFL record of 2,500 total yards. Look for Bell to be the Steelers No. 2 receiver as well, which makes him even more valuable in PPR leagues.The suspension drops him out of the conversation about being the first player selected, but I wouldn't let him slip too far. I'll take 10 games of Bell's dominance over just about any other back in the league.
Week 8 vs. Cincinnati
Bell had 17 carries for 121 yards to go with four receptions for 21 yards last week at Kansas City and should be even more of a factor in the passing game with Ben Roethlisberger back this week. In three career meetings with Cincinnati, Bell has averaged 147 yards from scrimmage and scored four touchdowns. Cincinnati is allowing an average of 4.9 yards per carry this season. Bell should be a solid start this week as usual.
Week 7 at Kansas City
When you have 24 carries for 88 yards and it's considered a blah game, it tells you how good Bell has been. He failed to catch a pass for the first time in his career last week and wasn't even targeted, something you can bet will change this week with Landry Jones making his first career start. The Chiefs have allowed limited yards to opposing running backs, but with Bell's typical production in the passing game makes him a must-start regardless of the matchup.
