Fantasy football: FanDuel NFL 2020 best lineup for Week 17
By Nick Villano
FLEX Options: Le’Veon Bell $5,900
If the fantasy world has learned anything from Andy Reid, it’s that in a meaningless Week 17 game, he is going to use it as a value game. Basically, he’s going to see which options he can use for either the playoffs or for next season. Right now, Clyde Edwards-Helaire is out with injury for the foreseeable future. So, Reid will use this Week 17 game to compare Le’Veon Bell and Darrel Williams.
Last week, Williams and Bell split 17 carries, with Williams taking 10 of them. That points to him taking the position, at least on the surface. However, Bell is still a talent with a track record that Reid will love. The coach is going to want to unlock Bell before the playoffs to get him going. That’s exactly what he can do this week against the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Chargers defense hasn’t been terrible against the run, but the Chiefs will force it on them. Now, don’t worry. Nobody is going to say Bell is going to be the “bell cow” this week. That doesn’t work when it’s said before the game (like it was all last week). Still, he’s going to get a lot of opportunities to show what he can do before the postseason.
Bell has always been great at catching balls out of the backfield, but obviously, that hasn’t worked out this season. He’s tapped out at three catches in a game, and he only did it once (against the Jets when he had extra motivation). If the Chiefs decide to sit Mahomes, instead of looking downfield for a big play, Chad Henne will go for a check-down option. Look for the first big week out of Bell, and maybe the last.