5 Daily Fantasy Football Matchups to Exploit in Week 16
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Rushing Offense
If people are paying for David Johnson this week, they aren't likely to also pay a decent chunk at the other running back slot. This could cause reduced ownership for both Doug Martin and Adrian Peterson. I like both a lot, but Peterson was featured last week and sprained an ankle, so we'll spread the curse elsewhere this time.
Martin and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be squaring off against the same team as Peterson from Week 15 in the Chicago Bears. Peterson's injury prevented him from fully taking advantage of the situation, but he did set up five scoring drives for Teddy Bridgewater. Martin is fourth in the league with 39 red zone rush attempts this year, so he figures to benefit if the Bears bleed points again.
Like with the Bills, this is a solid matchup from all angles. The Bears are 31st in Adjusted Defensive Rushing NEP per play, the Buccaneers are 6th on the offensive side, and they are home favorites. They provide everything you look for in a running back, and Martin helps bring upside.
Despite the Bucs' up-and-down season, Martin hasn't seen fewer than 11 carries in any game this year. He has recorded at least 10 half-PPR points in each of his past six games even though he has only reached the end zone once. Tampa Bay has an implied team total of 24.25, so he figures to have chances to improve in that category this week.
Because of the offense in which he plays, I'm not as excited about Martin as I am Johnson. This would merely be a play to counter off of Johnson, whose ownership figures to be bonkers. I'd be fine with that in most of my rosters, but you'll clearly want to pivot at times. Martin is a good outlet for that, and he also seems to be a solid option in cash.
Any time a clear-cut, high-volume back is facing a rush defense this bad, you need to consider him, and there's the possibility Martin could go overlooked with the other goods on the board. Those factors combined put Martin near the top of my board this week.
