The fantasy football season is now moving into Week 3 and with a number of big matchups on the schedule, some players have favorable chances to put up big numbers and two players that should fit that are Tampa Bay running back Doug Martin and newly-signed Cleveland Browns back Willis McGahee.
Let's look at Martin first, as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are playing the New England Patriots on Sunday and he could be posed for a big game based on the way the team has played this season. The Patriots are 2-0 and the Bucs are 0-2, but either of those records could be reversed had a couple things gone differently. The Bucs gave away their opening game to the Jets before blowing it against the Saints, while the Pats finished off the Bills with a last-second field goal and hung on against the Jets in a slop fest last Thursday.
Martin has been productive through two games this season with 65 yards and 144 yards gained over that stretch and he has one touchdown during that span. Martin was one of the most productive backs in fantasy last year with 1,454 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns as a rookie to go with 49 catches for 472 yards and another touchdown and he is on his way to putting up those number again with a couple solid games in the next few weeks.
Martin is a must start on Sunday because the Buccaneers are in a must win situation against a team with a weak rushing defense. Martin played in all 16 games last season and now he is facing a New England team that has its rushing defense ranked 28th in the league over the past two games, giving up over 130 yards per contest. With the passing game for the Bucs in shambles with Josh Freeman and the Patriots passing D ranked fourth in the league, Martin could get the ball plenty on Sunday.
Martin has had 24 carries and 29 carries in the first two games and he should get at least 20 touches between carries and receptions on Sunday. The Buccaneers have to find a way to win this game or they could be facing the prospect of being 0-4 or 1-3 heading into their bye in Week 5. The team has a tough stretch of games after playing the Pats and the Cardinals next Sunday, as the Seahawks, 49ers, Falcons, Dolphins, Lions and Bills on their out of division slate.
McGahee could give the Browns and fantasy owners a boost now that Trent Richardson has been traded and while he could be a bit slow to start after being off the field since being released by the Broncos, he could be solid all season if he stays healthy. McGahee is also going up against a desperate Vikings team that ranks 26th in the league in rushing yards allowed per game right won with nearly 120.
