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According to Detroit News staffer Chris McCosky, that question has been tossed around quite a bit this week, especially after Bell's 67-yard run against the Colts pushed his average yards per carry to 5.7.

"He's definitely made the most of his opportunities," head coach Jim Schwartz said. "We talked about that, making the most of your opportunities. Joique is a guy that's done that. When that happens, you're rewarded with more opportunities."

Bell has carried the ball 100 times less than starter Mikel Leshoure, but has gained just 266 yards less. Leshoure has 591 yards in 157 carries (3.8); Bell has 325 yards in 57 carries (5.7). Leshoure's longest run from scrimmage is 16 yards. Bell has all three of the team's runs of 20 or more yards.

Bell also has 34 receptions (one more than receiver Titus Young) for 333 yards.

Offensive coordinator Scott Linehan was asked on Thursday if Bell had earned more playing time.

"I think that's a fair statement," he said. "By his play he's been able to do that…Him rattling off the three explosive runs that we've had this year certainly gives him more opportunities in our offense.

"I think you'll see him playing a little bit more throughout the game."

As McCosky points out, the run game has had its ups and downs. The average yards per game of 103.6 ranks 21st in the league. The Lions have not achieved the run-pass balance they had hoped for this season. The 547 passing attempts lead the NFL.

During the three-game home losing streak, the run game faltered in critical situations, at the 10-yard line against the Packers, in the red zone against the Texans and on the fatal third-and-5 play against the Colts last week.

Yet, the 4.2 average per carry -- the best in the Schwartz-Linehan era -- is at least something to build from, according to Linehan.

"I think we have to have the same kind of approach," he said. "We're getting a lot of favorable boxes when we play teams. We're getting a lot of nickel defense. We're getting the kind of things that enable you to have a potential advantage.

"We just need to continue to move in the direction that we have."

From a Fantasy perspective, Leshoure's scoring totals have benefited greatly from the fact he's scored a touchdown in each of the last three games.

But over the last two weeks, Bell's Fantasy Scoring Value (23 points) hasn't fallen that far short of Leshoure's total of 28.