The Buccaneers are mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, but don’t tell them they have nothing to play for. The Bucs say they’ve still got one big goal: A rushing title for Doug Martin.
Martin is currently at 1,305 rushing yards, right behind Adrian Peterson’s league-leading total of 1,314. Martin and Peterson will duel for the rushing lead over the last two games, and the Bucs say they want Martin to get it.
“I think it’s important to our offensive line to help Doug Martin be the leading rusher in the league,” coach Lovie Smith said, via ESPN. “It’s important. It’s always about the team goals at the end, but there’s some individual things going on to be able to remember this season by.”
Bucs center Joe Hawley noted that offensive linemen can take some of the credit for a league-leading rusher, and that’s something the Bucs’ linemen are aiming for.
“I think it would be great, especially for the offensive line,” Hawley said. “We don’t have a lot of stats. That’s one thing we can hang our hat on. . . . Being out of the playoffs, it’s really one of the only things we can make a positive out of the season.”
Peterson is playing for both a spot in the playoffs and the rushing title, but with a playoff berth no longer attainable, Martin and his teammates can put more of their focus on the rushing stats. Which may be an advantage to Martin as he tries to pass Peterson in the next two games.
