Doug Martin - Week 17 vs. New Orleans
Doug Martin had a dreadful performance last week against Green Bay. He ran the ball 10 times and only managed 17 yards. Aside from a 63-yard run in Week 15, we haven't seen a whole lot out of Martin this season. If you take away that long run, Martin is averaging just 2.8 yards per carry on the year. He's also not a big factor in the passing game. He hasn't caught more than one pass in a game since Week 8.
Martin gets a favorable matchup this week against the Saints, but we wouldn't bet on a strong performance. He should be viewed as a RB3.
Doug Martin - Week 16 vs. Green Bay
Last week Doug Martin ran for 96 yards and caught one pass for three yards. Most of his yards came on a 63-yard run, however. If you take away that one run Martin ran 13 times for 33 yards (2.5 YPR). Charles Sims, the backup in Tampa Bay, cut into Martin's production as he had 10 total touches for 79 yards. As long as Sims is healthy, Martin's stock takes a hit.
This week Martin gets a fairly tough matchup against the Packers. If the Bucs get down early they'll end up abandoning the run. So far it looks like Tampa Bay favors Sims in passing situations, so Martin's stock will drop even more.
Martin is still the lead back in Tampa, but he should be viewed as only an RB3 option.
Doug Martin - Week 15 vs. Carolina Panthers
Doug Martin didn't get much action last week against Detroit. He carried the ball five times for 22 yards and caught one pass for no yards. It was a tough matchup, but those are horrid numbers.
This week he'll play a Panthers team that has been difficult to run against lately. In the last four games Carolina has held backs to an average of 68 rushing yards. Martin will split his carries with Charles Sims so you can shave off even more yards.
Martin should be viewed as a RB3 option at best. We will note Martin ran nine times for nine yards when he played Carolina in Week 1.
Doug Martin - Week 14 vs. Detroit
The handful of Doug Martin owners remaining rejoiced last week when the Bucs' running back had a good game. He looked like the clear-cut starter in the Bucs' backfield as he finished with 18 carries. He finished with 58 yards (3.2 ypc) and a touchdown. He also caught one pass for three yards.
While Martin was used like the starting back, he still had to split touches with both Charles Sims and Bobby Rainey. He wasn't spectacular, his longest carry went for 10 yards, but Martin got the job done.
This week it will probably be best to avoid him again. He gets the dreaded matchup against Detroit. The Lions have allowed the fewest rushing yards in the league (791) and are allowing the fewest yards per attempt (3.1).
Martin should be viewed as a poor RB3 this week. He should get touches, but the Lions' D is just brutal against backs.
Doug Martin - Week 13 vs. Cincinnati Bengals
The Bucs' backfield practically saw an even split between its three backs. Here's the snap count breakdown: Doug Martin - 26, Charles Sims - 25, Bobby Rainey - 25. Even their combined efforts don't make a for a great back. The three combined for 52 rushing yards and 33 receiving yards for a total of 85 yards. When you split the three you just get a bunch of ineffective fantasy players.
All three players are low RB3 options. There's an off-chance one of them scores a rushing touchdown, although I wouldn't bet on it. Josh McCown still leads the team in rushing touchdowns with two.
Doug Martin - Week 8 vs. Minnesota
Doug Martin has been consistently bad since his return in Week 4. He's rushed for 40 yards, 45 and 45 in his three games. He's averaging a Trent-Richardsonesque 2.9 yards per carry this season. He also hasn't been much of a factor in the passing game, hauling in just seven catches.
He'll hope to put up better numbers in a favorable matchup against the Vikings this week. Minnesota has allowed a rushing touchdown to a back in all but two games this season.
He should be used as a low RB2 or RB3 this week.
Doug Martin - Week 6 vs. Baltimore
Doug Martin might have Trent Richardson syndrome. In the two games since his return, Martin hasn't exactly looked great. He's ran a total of 28 times for 85 yards (3 YPC). He's not living up to the potential RB1 hype he had coming into the season.
His struggles will likely continue again this week against a stingy Ravens defense. Baltimore has only allowed a touchdown to running backs in one game this season. The Ravens are also allowing just 78 rushing yards to backs this season.
Martin should get plenty of touches, which is why he can be considered a low-end RB2 this week.
Doug Martin - Week 5 vs. New Orleans
Doug Martin made his return to the lineup last week and it wasn't pretty. He carried the ball 14 times and only gained 40 yards (2.9 YPC). His longest run of the day was nine yards. He also split time with fellow back Bobby Rainey. Martin played on 60 percent of the snaps while Rainey played the other 40 (we should point out Rainey only finished with 18 total yards).
Martin will hope to have a strong game this week in a favorable matchup. The Saints have allowed the seventh most fantasy points to opposing backs this season. They played well in Week 3 in a blowout against the Vikings, but have struggled in the other three games this season.
He had success against New Orleans a season ago when he ran for 144 yards. He likely won't duplicate those numbers, but he appears to be in for a solid game. He should be used as a RB2.
Doug Martin - Week 4 vs. Pittsburgh
Doug Martin has missed the last two games with a knee injury, but he is expected to return this week. It's unclear if his every down back role will continue in his return. Backup Bobby Rainey filled in nicely during his departure and will likely see an increase in playing time.
Before his injury in Week 1 Martin didn't play well, carrying the ball nine times for nine yards.
This week he'll face the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have struggled against the run this season. Outside of Week 3 (the Panthers only ran the ball eight times with running backs) the Steelers are allowing 163 rushing yards per game.
Martin has a chance to prove his worth in a favorable matchup. He should be used as a RB2 in his return, or better yet, wait and see how the Bucs backfield shakes out.
Doug Martin - Week 3 vs. Atlanta
Doug Martin is officially listed as questionable for Thursday night's matchup against Atlanta. He surprisingly missed Week 2 due to his knee injury in the season's opener. Martin was limited in practice on Wednesday and is considered 50/50 to play Thursday. If he does not play, Bobby Rainey will take over as the starter.
If he does play, he'll get a favorable matchup. He faces a Falcons defense that has allowed the most fantasy points to opposing backs this season. But considering his injury status, one would think Martin wouldn't get the bulk of the carries even if he is considered ready to play.
Martin owners should proceed with caution. In a good matchup he should be viewed as a RB3 or flex option if he's able to play. It's just too difficult to determine how many touches he'll get.
