Pittsburgh Steelers: Le’Veon Bell shouldn’t win the rushing title

The Pittsburgh Steelers were so close to ending a 71-year drought for the NFL rushing title.

Le’Veon Bell currently trails Los Angeles Rams running back, Todd Gurley, by 17 yards and Kansas City Chiefs running back, Kareem Hunt, by a single yard heading into Week 17. With a winless Cleveland Browns on the schedule, winning the rushing title looked like a clear shot for Bell.

That might not happen, though, as the Steelers are a long shot from winning the AFC with one week left. As the New England Patriots need to lose at home to the New York Jets, it doesn’t appear the Steelers will move from their second seed in the conference before the playoffs.

If the Steelers are thinking ahead, they’ll keep Bell, along with other starters, on the sidelines in Week 17. Even if he could easily earn the top rusher of the year against an 0-15 Browns team, ending a 71-year drought isn’t worth the risk of possibly losing one of the league’s best players and the biggest star on the active roster.

Bell wouldn’t even be upset about. His past injuries leave plenty of worry for both himself and the Steelers, which should be an easy indication to keep him sidelined for the final week of the season.

There’s a real possibility the Steelers end their season as Super Bowl champions. With one easy game remaining before their playoff run, there’s no reason to risk anything with any starter.

Any player who’s significance to this team could make or break a playoff win shouldn’t be on the field. Even if they start the game, by halftime, there should be nearly all second and third string players on the field in black and yellow.

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Give Stevan Ridley some rushes before the postseason. With James Conner out for the year, allowing the rest of the backfield to get reps before the playoffs should be top priority in Week 17.