1. Doug Martin — A lot of people liked Martin’s fantasy prospects entering the season, but who could have imagined that this was coming? After a watershed performance against the Vikings in Week Eight, the rookie topped it by rampaging for 251 rushing yards and four TDs in Oakland last weekend, with scoring runs of 45, 67 and 70 yards, capped off by a more mundane one-yard plunge near the end of the game. So, let’s take inventory of Martin’s production over the past two weeks: 54 carries for 386 yards and five TDs, along with seven catches for 100 yards and a TD. The history-making performance against the Raiders came after Martin owners had spent the week wringing their hands about the season-ending injury sustained by one of Martin’s key blockers, All-Pro OG Carl Nicks. Martin, who now has had more than 100 yards from scrimmage in four consecutive games, makes a triumphant return to Tampa this weekend after his two weeks of road rage. The Buccaneers host the Chargers, who rank No. 4 against the run.
2. Chris Johnson — Imagine that you met a drop-dead-gorgeous girl and began dating her. (Ladies, feel free to flip the genders in this hypothetical example.) Almost immediately, the relationship went horribly wrong. She made groundless accusations that you were cheating on her. She embarrassed you in front of friends and family. She destroyed some of your stuff. Then, just as you were ready to break up, she morphed into the perfect companion. Not only did her erratic behavior cease completely, but she started whipping up gourmet dinners, gave you carte blanche to have boys’ nights out, even arranged to have flowers delivered to your mom on her birthday. Suddenly, your erstwhile psycho girlfriend had turned into spouse material. But deep down, you feared that she might abruptly turn back into a nightmare. This is an approximation of what it’s like to be a Chris Johnson owner this season. Four of Johnson’s first five games were disasters, the exception being a 141-yard rushing day against the Texans in Week Four. But over his last four games, Johnson has carried 74 times for 526 yards (7.1 yards per carry) and three TDs. Welcome back, CJ2K. Will you marry me? Johnson will be put to the test this weekend when the Titans visit Miami to face the Dolphins, whose defense ranks No. 3 vs. the run. Johnson owners can only hope the honeymoon lasts.
3. Danny Amendola — Sam Bradford’s favorite target is expected to be back in action this week after missing three games with a dislocated clavicle. It has been well documented that the injury could have been life-threatening, since Amendola’s clavicle dislocated inward instead of outward and could have potentially damaged his aorta. Before the injury, Amendola had been perhaps the busiest receiver in the league. He was targeted no fewer than nine times in each of the Rams first four games (he was injured in the fifth) and averaged 11 targets and 7.8 catches over that span. The 49ers aren’t likely to roll out a welcome mat for Amendola when they host the Rams this weekend. But even against San Francisco’s No. 2-rated pass defense, Amendola is certainly a viable fantasy option, especially in PPR leagues.