Doug Martin

Week 16 vs. Denver Broncos

Oakland hosts Denver as a home underdog with an implied team total of just 20 points. In what could be the last game the Raiders ever play in Oakland, one would expect Jon Gruden to have this team ready to play well. In fantasy though, we care more about quantifiable factors more than narratives. Denver is best in the league in aFPA to RBs. With no receptions over the past two games, Doug Martin cannot be started with any confidence in this match-up, despite being the lead back at this point.

Week 14 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Raiders have an implied team total of fewer than 21 points, among the bottom ten teams in the league this week. The Steelers defense has had its struggles, but recently, that has come against offenses much better than Oakland's. Pittsburgh still ranks top 10 in aFPA to RBs. These factors and the signing of C.J. Anderson give us pause in starting either Doug Martin or Jalen Richard this week. Of the two, Richard is the more viable option among PPR desperation FLEX plays.

Week 12 at Baltimore Ravens

The Raiders travel across the country as a double-digit underdog, tied for the lowest implied team total of Week 12 at just 16 points. Baltimore also ranks first in aFPA to RBs. Doug Martin was limited in practice to start the week with an ankle injury, increasing the chances Richard sees additional snaps, but regardless, don't expect the Raiders to get much going on the ground at all, given the match-up. Richard's ability in the passing game makes him the dart throw FLEX play in both standard and PPR leagues over a hobbled Martin.