Demarco Murray Has Been the Difference for Dallas Cowboys in Recent Stretch

When Demarco Murray left the game against the Baltimore Ravens way back in October, we figured he may miss a couple games. After he missed those couple games, we kept expecting him to return to practice. And then he missed another full week, the team simply stating they wanted him to be 100% healthy before making a return for the stretch run. And then he missed another week. And another. Until finally, even the Jones' wondered if Murray would be back this year.

Demarco finally made his triumphant return a little over a week ago against the Philadelphia Eagles. The numbers weren't overwhelming; 23 carries for 83 yards and a touchdown. But his overall presence was absolutely overwhelming.

Instead of Romo dropping back 70 times, he only threw it 27 times. With no interceptions to boot.
This past Sunday, we saw another heavy dosage of Demarco Murray. He pounded away 21 times, gaining 53 yards and an over-the-top touchdown in the process. His longest run of the afternoon was only 7 yards. He averaged only 2.5 yards per carry. Sounds a lot more like the futile attack we saw while he was gone as opposed to the revamped and re-energized attack he usually possesses, right?

Wrong.

Buffalo Bills Hall of Famer Thurman Thomas Impressed with C.J. Spiller

Coming into Sunday's game, Buffalo Bills running back C.J. Spiller was quickly approaching a team milestone.
Spiller, as of early Sunday, had run for 100 or more total yards in six straight games. The team’s record is currently held by Hall Of Fame running back Thurman Thomas, who ran for 100-plus yards in nine straight matches.
However, the Jacksonville Jaguars held Spiller to 84 yards from scrimmage on Sunday, stopping the running back from catching up to the Hall of Famer.
According to www.buffalobills.com, Thomas averaged 110 rushing yards and around 30 receiving yards per game during his streak. Spiller, coming into Sunday, was averaging 77.5 rushing yards and 35.5 yards receiving per game.
But, Spiller, so far, has received about 10 less touches per game than Thomas did.

“That’s pretty darn productive,” said Thomas told buffalobills.com. “We could be talking about maybe over 200 yards if he gets the ball a little bit more. So to be that productive with a limited amount of carries is impressive, and we know the story of how they work things out with Fred Jackson also being back there. But I’ve always said that this guy at any time can snap one off and go 60 or 70 yards a couple of times a game. I think everybody is starting to realize the speed that he has to get to the outside and turn it up field and get a lot of yards.”

Spiller said he has communicated regularly with Thomas since Spiller was drafted by the Bills.

“On the phone he’ll send me a text message and encourage me and tell me to keep my head up. He sent me one yesterday telling me to keep working and keep fighting,” Spiller told buffalobills.com. “That’s great to come from a Hall of Famer like him.”

Meanwhile, Thomas knows Spiller will accomplish big things in the league.

“I just know what type of player he can be,” Thomas said. “Obviously he can run the ball, but he can catch the ball also. So I’ve just been encouraging him to keep working hard and everything will work out for him.”

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Buffalo Bills Spiller Could Break Team Record

While the Bills will need all they help they can get to make the playoffs in the upcoming weeks, one player is seeing his abilities bring him to the brink of a team record.

Running back C.J. Spiller, who is currently in the middle of a six-game streak of 100 yards from the line of scrimmage, is closing in on Thurman Thomas' record of nine in a row. While the Bills are only 2-4 in the six-game stretch, the running game hasn't been the issue. Both Spiller and Fred Jackson are creating positive plays for an otherwise stalling offense.

During his run, Thomas averaged 110 rushing yards per game and about 30 receiving yards per outing.

Spiller on his current streak is averaging 77.5 rushing yards per game and 35.5 yards receiving.