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NFL Rankings: Top 5 ‘Big 3’s’

By Henry McKenna

Jan 19, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (left) and free safety Earl Thomas (center) and strong safety Kam Chancellor (right) during player introductions prior to the 2013 NFC Championship football game against the San Francisco 49ers at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated San Francisco 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 19, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (left) and free safety Earl Thomas (center) and strong safety Kam Chancellor (right) during player introductions prior to the 2013 NFC Championship football game against the San Francisco 49ers at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated San Francisco 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 7, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray (29) runs with ball for a third quarter touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 7, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray (29) runs with ball for a third quarter touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

Dallas Cowboys’ Demarco Murray, Tyrone Smith & Doug Free

Demarco Murray has been the best running back in the NFL. Adrian Peterson and LeSean McCoy had their offseason squabble about who is the best NFL running back, but Peterson has left the discussion due to his absence from the team on Child Injury charges. McCoy has simply been absent, even though he’s on the field.

Through four games, Murray is leading the NFL in rushing yards this season and has been the best back in the NFL.

Murray and the Cowboy’s offensive line has been dominant from the end of last year into this season. Murray and the Cowboys seemed to find harmony last season in the Week 10 game against the New Orleans Saints. Ironically, it was a 49-17 clobbering, but it marked a transition for the Cowboys. They were beginning a steady reliance on Murray. And since then, in the 11 game span, he’s rushed for 1,196 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Defenses can’t bring him down because of his offensive line’s impressive blocking, particularly Smith and Free, who have been dominant run blockers. Those tackles allow Murray to find a rhythm, particularly getting outside and upfield. Murray can get beyond the line of scrimmage untouched. Once the big back is up to speed, the defenses don’t stand a chance. So when Murray bounces around his left tackle Smith or right tackle Free, he’s off to the races.

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