Bye Weeks: N/A

Joique Bell has averaged 24 touches and scored three touchdowns over the last two weeks.

Grab a Helmet

Joique Bell v. MIN: Last year my kids got me a replica of the bell from The Polar Express. As we decorated the tree this past Sunday, I pulled the bell out of the ornament box and my son rang it like a mad man, and asked me “Do you love this bell we got you daddy?”, and I responded with “I love it almost as much as my other bells, Joique and Le’Veon! You see, I have both Bells in one of my leagues, and as fantasy football fans you can least appreciate my joke amid the corniness. My family on the other hand just thought I was nuts. What isn’t nuts is getting Joique in your line-up as a strong RB2. Bell and the Lions are coming off two of their best games of the season, and it seems, like the Steelers, the Lions are hitting their offensive stride and facing some weak opponents. This week the Lions host the Vikings who have yielded the 9th most fantasy points to running backs this season. Bell is getting the majority of the RB touches right now and all the goal line carries. Combine that with passing game work, and you have the makings of a solid day at the office.

Alfred Morris @ NYG: Morris and the Redskins have been a miserable mess this season, and fantasy owners have been forced to face the music. Drafted as a RB1, Morris has been barely startable most weeks….except of course when RGIII is under center. Like a Shakespearean tragic comedy, Morris has averaged over 100 yards rushing and scored 3 touchdowns in Griffin’s four brutal complete games this season. With the neck injury to Colt McCoy, the pendulum has swung back in favor of Griffin, and of course that means Morris instantly becomes an RB1. I might not go that far, but the matchup is right against a Giants defense that can’t stop the run (4.9 ypc). Morris was pitiful against the Rams last week, but don’t let that scare you off entirely. With Roy Helu likely out this week with a toe injury, look for Morris to get some extra snaps as well.

Chris Ivory @ TEN: I’m very much on board with Ivory as a strong FLEX play this week. The only other unit in the league that has been more hapless than the Jets offense, has been the Titans defense. Yielding a league worst 141 yards per game on the ground, the Jets are sure to do whatever is necessary to keep the ball out of Geno’s hands, despite his self-proclaimed “Pro Bowl” skills. With 16 carries and 60+ yards in back to game games, Ivory is also a good bet to find the end zone. A double digit scoring game is in the cards.

Grab Some Pine

Ryan Mathews v. DEN: Other than 13-105-1 line against the Rams in Week 12, Mathews has been a very underwhelming option at running back this season. Sapped of most of his lateral agility thanks to lower leg injuries, Mathews is once again hobbled after taking a shot to the leg last week against New England. He’s already missed a day of practice, and even if he suits up, he’ll be doing it against one of the league’s best run defenses in Denver. There simply is way too much risk involved in running Mathews out, and I would do everything I could to find a better option for a playoff game.

Giovani Bernard @ CLE: In three games since his return from a hip injury, Bernard has averaged 2.6, 4.9, and 2.8 yards per carry. Even more troubling is his near total lack of production in the passing game (no games over 22 yards receiving since Week 2). With the specter of rookie Jeremy Hill hanging over him, things look grim for Bernard gaining much traction as a fantasy asset down the stretch. It’s tough to bench Bernard even against a beatable Cleveland run defense, but I wouldn’t trust Gio as anything more than a shaky FLEX playthis week.

Matt Asiata/Ben Tate @ DET: The Minnesota backfield has been a cold fantasy wasteland for weeks now, and the sled dogs will find the mushing difficult against a dominant Lions defensive front seven. Because of a potential rotation, Asiata and Tate are likely to cancel each other out, and make you feel like a horrible person for starting either one of these guys. Look for higher upside options for your fantasy needs this week.


Wide Receivers