Bell finished the season with 82 rushes for 414 yards and three scores.

Analysis: The Lions are likely to reevaluate their running game for yet another offseason. Bell, who averaged 5.0 yards-per-carry this season, may be a part of the backfield, but he won't be a featured part of it with Detroit likely to bring in some help from the outside.

Bell rushed seven times for 24 yards Sunday against Arizona.

Analysis: Bell continues to see a few carries each week, but the Lions are going to continue to ride Mikel Leshoure for the majority of snaps.

Bell ran for 49 yards on 12 carries in Sunday's loss to the Packers.

Analysis: Bell was also a factor catching the ball out of the backfield, as he caught five balls for 47 yards. His five receptions trailed only Calvin Johnson, so Bell could have added value down the stretch as the Lions are thin at wide receiver.

Bell had seven carries for 81 rushing yards and three catches on three targets for 21 receiving yards Sunday against the Colts.

Analysis: Sixty-seven of Bell's 81 rushing yards came on a single play, so fantasy owners who just see the final stat line shouldn't start assuming he's eating too much into Mikel Leshoure's touches. Leshoure finished with 21 carries and while his 2.1 YPC were hardly impressive, he remains the clear-cut starter in Detroit. Up next, however, is a Packers' defense that just allowed 240 yards on the ground Sunday, so Bell could have an opportunity to produce even with Leshoure starting.

Bell carried five times for 47 yards, with a 23-yard touchdown run in Thursday's overtime loss to the Texans.

Analysis: Meanwhile, Mikel Leshoure had 12 carries for 32 yards and Kevin Smith, three carries for six yards. Bell did not catch a pass Thursday, but the touchdown saved his day from a fantasy perspective after Week 11's statistical dud.

Bell had one carry for four rushing yards and one catch for five receiving yards Sunday against the Packers.

Analysis: If there was any thought that Bell was going to eat into Mikel Leshoure's carries, that was thrown out of the window Sunday. Bell has combined for eight rushing yards in the last two games and doesn't appear to be in any position to grab more carries moving forward.

Bell had seven catches on eight targets for 44 yards, as well as one carry for four yards Sunday against the Vikings.

Analysis: While Mikel Leshoure dominated the carries for the Lions, Bell was able to carve out a role in the passing game. He's had three straight games with at least 33 receiving yards, but he's not doing enough on a consistent basis out of the backfield to have much fantasy upside.

Lions need to emphasize run game

In his "Week 10 Predictions" analysis, Elliot Harrison believes the key to a Detroit Lions win will be the ground game. "The Lions have put up 117 rushing yards per game during this winning run (three out of four). It's so important to the offense to not only keep Matthew Stafford upright, but also to refrain from putting the whole damn game on his shoulders." FULL WEEK 10 PREDICTIONS

Analysis: Leshoure could find success against a Vikings defense which has allowed 7 rushing scores and an average of 117 yards per game. Just don't expect him to post another hat-trick performance as he did in Week 9.

Bell had 13 carries for 73 yards and a touchdown, as well as three catches on four targets for 36 yards Sunday against the Jaguars.

Analysis: A very good game for Bell, who finished with 39 more total yards than Mikel Leshoure. However, Leshoure ran for three touchdowns and while Bell continues to outproduce the former in the passing game, he'll continue to get backup carries out of the Lions' backfield.

Leshoure a Week 9 sleeper

In his Week 9 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em analysis, Michael Fabiano lists Leshoure as a sleeper, stating he "is worth a roll of the dice as a flex option against the Jaguars. Their defense has allowed eight touchdowns and the fourth-most fantasy points to backs." READ: START 'EM, SIT 'EM

Analysis: Leshoure has not been productive lately, and Joique Bell has seen more touches out of the backfield in recent weeks. While this could become an equal timeshare, there should be enough to go around this week.

The Lions prefer to use Bell over Mikel Leshoure as a receiver out of the backfield, the team's official site reports.

Analysis: Leshoure will still see more carries, but Bell will likely be in on obvious passing downs or passing situations, like when the Lions are trailing late in a game, something that's happened more frequently than the Lions' would have hoped for.

Lions RBs finding rhythm

In his Week 9 Power Rankings, Elliot Harrison notes, "The Lions rushed 22 times for 84 yards (Week 8). They are still the only outfit in the league without a single 20-yard run." FULL WEEK 9 POWER RANKINGS

Analysis: Of the two, Joique Bell has been the more effective player with fewer touches than current starter Mikel Leshoure. At minimum, this could evolve into an equal timeshare.

Bell closing in on Leshoure

Mikel Leshoure finished with ten carries for 46 yards, adding nine yards receiving. Joique Bell continues to see more playing time, totaling 25 yards on seven carries and 33 yards receiving. Neither back was able to find the end zone. WATCH GAME RECAP

Analysis: Bell has been doing more with his touches, so don't be surprised to see him take the lead-back duties if he continues to produce, relegating Leshoure back to a "closer" role.

Bell carried just three Monday against the Bears.

Analysis: Not only did Bell only get three carries, he lost a fumble at the goal line to boot. Mikel Leshoure was fairly efficient ahead of him with 12 carries for 63 yards, so don't look for an expanded roll for Bell next week.

Jahvid Best (concussion) will not play again this season, Mlive.com reports, meaning Bell will likely be the No. 2 back for the remainder of the season.

Analysis: Mikel Leshoure appears to the sure-fire No. 1 with Best's year and perhaps career over. Bell doesn't look ready to overtake Leshoure at the moment, but will continue to see a handful of carries each week.

Bell had just one carry Sunday against the Vikings.

Analysis: Not a good sign for Bell considering starter Mikel Leshoure averaged just two yards-per-carry against Minnesota and also lost a fumble. After looking like it could be a position of strength, the Lions' backfield is experiencing a bit of turmoil right now.

Coach Jim Schwartz views Bell as the Lions' "game closer," the Lions' official website reports.

Analysis: "He's made plays when he's been in the game," said Lions head coach Jim Schwartz. "He's made guys miss, he's gotten tough yards, he's ball secure, he's been assignment-sound. He's done a nice job." In the fourth quarter this season, Bell has 23 yards on four carries and has caught four passes for 44 yards. At this point, it appears as though Mikel Leshoure will be the bell cow in the running game, while Bell seems to be ahead of Kevin Smith in the No. 2 role, especially after Smith failed to record a carry in last Sunday's loss to the Titans.

Bell rushed for 23 yards on five carries and had four receptions for 44 yards in Sunday's game against the Titans.

Analysis: Bell, who was preferred to Kevin Smith as the Lions' second string running back, posted good numbers from a backup standpoint. With Mikel Leshoure impressing in his NFL debut, the reserve role looks to be Bell's to lose in Detroit.

Bell's only carry Sunday resulted in a one-yard touchdown in the Lions' win over St. Louis.

Analysis: Kevin Smith was the only player with multiple rushes Sunday as the Lions attempted 48 passes on the day. Bell's time as a short-yardage back will likely be short lived with Mikel Leshoure (suspension) due back after this week.

Bell carried five times for 11 yards Saturday against Oakland.

Analysis: Bell likely got some extra work with Kevin Smith (ankle) leaving the game, but Smith is expected to be fine. Bell's viability going forward will likely hinge on the health of the rushers ahead of him on the depth chart.

Bell rushed five times for 35 yards in the Lions' second exhibition game Friday.

Analysis: The Lions had four rushers carry the ball Friday. The group will get even more crowded this weekend with Mikel Leshoure (hamstring) slated to return.

Bell led all Detroit rushers Friday with 16 carries for 89 yards in the team's first preseason game.

Analysis: Bell had a few nice runs and one drive where he racked up three first downs and 53 yards. In Detroit's injury-riddled backfield, Bell looks to add depth but likely won't factor much unless it's as the last resort.