Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin couldn't break out Sunday, rushing for 88 yards on 20 carries. He added two receptions for 20 yards as the Buccaneers fell to the New England Patriots 23-3.
Doug Martin can’t break free for Bucs, fantasy owners
As his team’s only viable offensive option, Martin was bottled in pretty well Sunday. We break down the fantasy implications.
Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE
Martin hasn't scored since the team's first game of the season against the Jets. He now sits at 297 rushing and 19 receiving yards on the season.
Fantasy impact: The team's quarterback, Josh Freeman, is almost irredeemably terrible at this point. He had a 54.5 passer rating Sunday, completing only 19 of 41 passes for 236 yards. With wide receivers Vincent Jackson and Mike Williams both getting banged up in the game, and Freeman so bad that the New England defense had no reason to fear him, they were able to focus their attentions to Martin, and it showed. Martin still topped 100 all-purpose yards, but has yet to be able to break free this season the way he was occasionally able to last season.
Martin is still a No. 1 running back, but with so little support around him, there is reason for his owners to worry.
• Week 3 fantasy football rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE | D/ST
