The fantasy football season is getting very close to the end and for any teams in the playoffs, points are at a premium and for Monday night football, that means a decision must be made to start wither Reggie Bush or Joique Bell for the Detroit Lions against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 15 of the season.
Bush has been dealing with a calf injury and after missing practice this week, he was able to return and one Saturday he participated, but he still remains a question mark for Monday night's game. For anyone that has Bell on their roster along with Bush, he is a solid START option in case Bush is out and that could be a factor in many playoff matchups heading into the Week 15 MNF matchup. Bell has been very good in place of Bush when he has been out this season and Bush remains questionable for the game on Monday night and that should be looked at closer to game time depending on how the day shapes out for both players.
Bell has the skills to make up for Bush's fantasy value and even if Bush plays on Monday, there is a good chance that he will be limited and that could make Bell a smarter play for fantasy owners. The Ravens are ranked seventh in rushing yards allowed per game, but the Lions run the ball differently than other teams and they use running backs as pass catchers very often and that is where Bell could be valuable for owners, especially in PPR leagues. The Lions are ranked third in the NFL in passing yards per game and they are gaining over 110 on the ground and it looks as if Bell is the safer play on Monday night for fantasy owners.
Bush has missed time since the Green Bay Packers game in November on Thanksgiving and in that matchup he had 117 yards rushing with a touchdown while averaging nearly six yards per carry and he also ended up with five catches for 65 yards in the game and that has been in line with his usual lines. Bush has over 100 yards in two of his past five games and at least 80 in four of five and he also has 45 catches this season for nearly 450 yards and he has been very productive for fantasy owners and for the Lions. He has had 20 touches or more twice in the past five games and if he plays on Monday, he is likely to be limited.
Bell was very solid last week despite the snow and while he fumbled twice, he also had over 100 total yards on 27 touches and that includes a rushing touchdown and nearly 70 yards and now over his past four games he has three rushing scores. This season he has nearly 1,000 total yards and while the Ravens have a tough defense, the game is at home on the turf and that could mean another big game for Bell.
