Buccaneers' Doug Martin shutdown by Broncos defense

For the second week in a row, Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin was silenced by an opposing defense, writes Stephen Holder of the Tampa Bay Times.

Against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Martin rushed for 56 yards on 18 carries. He averaged just 3.1 yards per carry in the Buccaneers' 31-23 loss:

Like the Falcons, the Broncos made stopping Martin a top priority and succeeded in that endeavor. Because he's been the talk of the league during the past month-plus after record-setting performances, Martin now is a focus of opposing defenses and they're cooking up strategies to limit him.

"I think it was more scheme today," Martin said. "I think they seemed to have a better scheme than us."

In Week 12 against the Falcons, Martin struggled even more. He had 50 yards on 21 carries, which works out to just 2.4 yards per carry. However, two of those carries went for rushing touchdowns in his team's loss to Atlanta.

Martin made a name for himself in Week 9 against the Oakland Raiders. He rushed the ball 25 times for 251 yards and four touchdowns. Since then, though, he's averaged more than five yards per carry just once in four games.

Martin was the 31st pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. In his rookie season, Martin has 1,106 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns. He's added 374 yards in receiving and a touchdown.