Eagles running back DeMarco Murray didn’t take back the lead role in the backfield last Sunday, but he did see his snaps rise from 14 to 25 in the 23-20 victory over the Bills.
Offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur said this week that the team’s split of work in the backfield is based on “trying to win football games” and that they “want to put fresh running backs” in the game as much as possible to help in that effort. On Thursday, Murray said he felt “very fresh” given the late date in the season and said he is on board with the Eagles’ approach because of the results on the scoreboard the last two weeks.
“It is what it is,” Murray said, via the Philadelphia Inquirer. “You always want to contribute as much as you can. We’re winning. At the time, that’s all that matters. ... It’s different. Obviously I’ve never been in this situation. But we’re tied for first place in the division.”
Murray’s struggles with his role and fit in the Eagles offense have been well documented this season, but one place he’s been successful is on third downs. He’s carried the ball 15 times on third down, gotten a first down each time and is averaging over six yards per carry on those plays. That’s not exactly what the Eagles are paying Murray to do, but more of the same in the final three weeks would be a big boost to their chances of ending the year in first place in the NFC East.