Looking Deeper Into DeMarco's Numbers

By Cory Mageors | @inthemageors

DALLAS (105.3 THE FAN) -- I'm going to chalk up the quote coming out of Valley Ranch this week where Demarco Murray said "I think that turns me on a little bit – to come into someone's house and hear the boos and all that. I think it's a great thing," as just a poor choice of words after the accusation that came out about his off field exploits.

But that's a different story for a different time.

I want to take a little deeper look into just how things are going for the beast back who is still leading the league in rushing yards (1,427) and attempts (288).

The thought that this team does better on the road isn't false. They are 5-0 on the road, while every other team in the league has at least two away losses this year.

So, yes there is something to be said about the Cowboys unity and grit when they get into somebody else's territory.

But is DeMarco Murray a better back on the road?

Not necessarily, and I don't think that's going to change as the season closes out.

The Cowboys have three games left on the road. So far his averages on the road are less per carry (4.8 to 5.1), but he's averaging more yards per game away from AT&T Stadium (121 to 118). Had the Cowboys not thrown up a stinker on Thursday against the Eagles where he put up his lowest output of the season, I think these numbers might be flipped. He also has more touchdowns at home (5) than on the road (3) so far this season.

But take a look at his month-by-month numbers

There has been a dramatic dip in production in yards per carry, yards and touchdowns from September to November. Why?

Various reasons.

Defenses are stacking the box, his legs are getting tired (though that doesn't look like the case), the games call for different routes of scoring and moving the ball. You could file through a billion reasons here.

The main point -- as the season goes on, he plays more games on the road, where his numbers haven't been that much better yet, and it's getting later in the season which currently shows him on a downward trend.

Here's another number that I find fascinating: the Cowboys are more likely and more successful giving the ball to Murray when they are behind than when they're ahead.

Now, does that mean the team decides it's time to set the tone when they are behind and start being more physical? Maybe. It could also mean that the team has been put into situations due to a few early season early game fumbles where they were behind and he had to man up and make one up to his team. But, I think Garrett and Linehan have been consistent in their game plans and usage of Murray, bruise'em when we're down and let the line do our talking.

Lastly, first downs.

Man I hear people complain about the Cowboys running on first down too much.

What are you thinking people? You're crazy.

This is awesome.

DeMarco Murray has over 1,000 yards on first down alone this year and is averaging 5.3 yards per carry on first down.

If you look at it 10 yards at a time, you want to be in a 2nd-and-four or 2nd-and-five situation more often than 2nd-and-10. If Romo throws an incompletion on first down, now you are 2nd-and-10 and have limited options.

But if you are 2nd-and-five you can run again or pass and keep the defense off balance. And if you have to get into a third down situation you would much rather prefer it to be a 3rd-and-two than 3rd-and-seven or more.

So that way the Cowboys are going about their business right now running the ball on first down is great as long as Murray keeps gashing teams for big chunks.

Let's hope things start to tick back up for Murray though as we go forward because this team's success has relied on him. Now that the team takes its talents on the road for three of the final four games, a plodding dominant run game would be just the thing to silence somebody else's house.

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