RADIO
A pair of top-tier running backs come into Week 8 with some favorable matchups as fantasy football owners look for a strong push to the second half of their season. Both Marshawn Lynch and Doug Martin are workhorse running backs who should treat their owners nicely on Sunday.
Martin has returned to his rookie form this season, something we never thought we'd see again after two injury-riddled seasons in 2013 and 2014. Martin is averaging about 20 carries per game since Week 2, and he's stayed healthy in the process. That is huge for owners who gambled on him with the hopes that he'd be able to go a full season without getting hurt.
Martin has been especially impressive over his last three weeks where he's averaged nearly 24 points per game in standard scoring leagues. Those are monster numbers, and the Buccaneers are hoping that trend continues when they take on the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. The Falcons are 2nd in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game, but they've given up 10 rushing touchdowns this season which is tied for the most in the NFL.
Tampa Bay has done a nice job using running back Charles Sims in the passing game to throw off opposing defenses, paving the way for the Muscle Hamster to rack up monster yards. As long as Martin is healthy, start him in your lineup.
After a dismal start that included a lingering hamstring injury, Lynch has rebounded nicely since being 100 percent healthy. Beast Mode is once again the workhorse in Seattle, averaging 22 carries over his last two weeks where he's scored a touchdown in both weeks.
Now, he'll face a Dallas Cowboys defense that is allowing the third-most fantasy points per game to running backs, according to ESPN. The Cowboys have also allowed 4.2 yards per carry and seven rushing touchdowns this year, so look for Lynch to get plenty of work on Sunday.
Lynch only had 21 points during his first three games this season, but has nearly 30 over his last two. It’s safe to say that Beast Mode is back.
