Clinton Portis
 

Fantasy football gives us all a reason to be excited about any given NFL game. If the NFL is not entertaining enough, fantasy football allows us the opportunity to interact with one another and compete for money (legally) or bragging rights. Let's take a trip down memory lane and recall the weeks all of us fantasy football players remember, for better or for worse, with the top 11 single-game fantasy performances. Le'Veon Bell was the latest name added to this list, making the cut this year:

Le'Veon Bell (Dec. 11, 2016) -- 47 Fantasy Points

Getty Images Le'Veon Bell (Dec. 11, 2016) -- 47 Fantasy Points

In an epic outing in Buffalo, Bell outgained the Bills in total yards (298-275) while setting a Steelers franchise record with 236 rushing yards.

Jimmy Smith (Sept. 10, 2000) -- 47 Fantasy Points

Getty Images Jimmy Smith (Sept. 10, 2000) -- 47 Fantasy Points

This performance is especially eyebrow-raising due to the fact that it came against the Baltimore Ravens, the same Ravens team that allowed the fewest points in the NFL and won the Super Bowl that season. Smith caught 15 passes for 291 yards -- the most for any player in a game since 1989 -- and scored three touchdowns. But the Jaguars lost 39-36.

Jerome Harrison (Dec. 20, 2009) -- 47 Fantasy Points

Getty Images Jerome Harrison (Dec. 20, 2009) -- 47 Fantasy Points

After waiting until the end of 2009 to make a cameo as feature back for the Browns, Harrison went off in Week 15. He carried the ball 34 times for a franchise-record 286 yards and three touchdowns against the Chiefs. Unfortunately for him, this performance didn't guarantee him a job, and he was traded to the Eagles the next season.

 

Marshall Faulk (Oct. 20, 2002) -- 47 Fantasy Points

USA Today Sports Marshall Faulk (Oct. 20, 2002) -- 47 Fantasy Points

Faulk became yet another running back to carve up the bottom-ranking Seahawks' run defense during the 2002 season. Faulk went for 235 total yards and four touchdowns in this one.

Fred Taylor (Nov. 19, 2000) -- 48 Fantasy Points

Getty Images Fred Taylor (Nov. 19, 2000) -- 48 Fantasy Points

Taylor's 48-point performance is unlike many others on this list, as it actually came against the traditionally stout defense of the Steelers. In this particular game, Taylor rushed for 234 yards, the most the Steelers have ever allowed to a player in a single game.

Priest Holmes (Nov. 24, 2002) -- 48 Fantasy Points

Getty Images Priest Holmes (Nov. 24, 2002) -- 48 Fantasy Points

In this game, Holmes became one of only eight players in the past 20 years to go for more than 100 yards in both rushing (197) and receiving (110).

Michael Vick (Nov. 15, 2010) -- 49 Fantasy Points

Getty Images Michael Vick (Nov. 15, 2010) -- 49 Fantasy Points

The 2010 season was magical for Vick, but perhaps the highlight came in 59-28 win at Washington in Week 10. Vick lit up the scoreboard against former Eagles quarterback Donavan McNabb, throwing for three touchdowns and rushing for two in just the first half. Vick became the first player to throw for at least 300 passing yards and four touchdowns and rush for at least 50 yards and two touchdowns.

Mike Anderson (Dec. 3, 2000) -- 49 Fantasy Points

Getty Images Mike Anderson (Dec. 3, 2000) -- 49 Fantasy Points

Anderson was a standard running back who could be plugged into Mike Shanahan's system and perform at an extremely high level. In this game, he set a rookie rushing record with 251 yards versus the Saints.

Doug Martin (Nov. 4, 2012) -- 51 Fantasy Points

Getty Images Doug Martin (Nov. 4, 2012) -- 51 Fantasy Points

The 2012 season was a great year for fantasy owners who had Doug Martin. Coming off a 32-point performance in Week 8, the Buc exploded for a 51-point Week 9, becoming the first player to score three rushing touchdowns of 45 yards or longer.

Shaun Alexander (Sept. 29, 2002) -- 52 Fantasy Points

Getty Images Shaun Alexander (Sept. 29, 2002) -- 52 Fantasy Points

Alexander's memorable performance against the Vikings on Sunday Night Football marked just the second game played at CenturyLink Field (at the time Seahawks Stadium). The running back set an NFL record with five rushing touchdowns in the first half.

Clinton Portis (Dec. 7, 2003) -- 54 Fantasy Points

Getty Images Clinton Portis (Dec. 7, 2003) -- 54 Fantasy Points

Without Clinton Portis and the Broncos' Week 14 win over the Chiefs in 2003, Denver would not have made the playoffs. The running back recorded his fifth straight game with at least 100 rushing yards. Portis finished with 218 yards and five touchdowns on just 22 rushing attempts.

-- Follow Megan O'Brien on Twitter @MeganOBsports.