Martin fumbles twice against Bears Ira Kaufman, The Tampa Tribune, published 28 December 2015 Doug Martin entered Sunday’s game with Adrian Peterson in his sights. Three hours later, the only thing he was looking for was the football. The Bucs’ Pro Bowl running back lost two fumbles against the Bears, setting up 10 points in an eventual 26-21 setback that ensured a fifth consecutive losing season. Chicago limited Martin to 49 yards on 17 carries, and he added only one reception, leaving one of the NFL’s leading rushers in shock. “This feels like a bad dream right now,’’ said Martin, who opened the scoring with a 4-yard run. “That’s out of character for me to fumble the ball twice in one game. I’m embarrassed because I let the team down.’’ Martin’s second-quarter fumble at midfield after a 6-yard catch led to a field goal. In the third quarter, Martin lost control of the ball at the Tampa Bay 23-yard line after being stopped for no gain. Five plays after Martin’s fifth lost fumble of the season, the Bears went ahead for good on Jay Cutler’s 1-yard scoring pass. “Those two fumbles were both helmet to the ball, but that’s no excuse,’’ said Martin, who began the day just 9 yards behind Peterson for the NFL rushing lead. “I’ve got to keep the ball tight to my body. This is a tough one to swallow.’’ Martin’s teammates rushed to his defense. “Doug’s still the best back in the NFL — and you better believe it,” Jameis Winston said. For Pro Bowl defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, Martin’s struggles on Sunday don’t tarnish his formidable accomplishments. “That’s the NFL, it happens,’’ McCoy said. “It’s our job as his teammates to make sure we hold Doug up. As dominant as he’s been all year, you have one bad day and it’s no reason to hold your head. It just shows you’re human. One bad game doesn’t define it. What he’s done all year defines who he is.’’