Murray Wins FedEx Ground Award For 3rd Time In 2014

For the third time in five games, DeMarco Murray has been named the FedEx Ground Player of the Week.

That’s not terribly surprising, given Murray’s ridiculously hot start to the 2014 season. The fourth-year running back from Oklahoma is leading the league in both rushing yards and touchdowns, as he has compiled 670 yards and five scores through Week 5.

Murray’s 31-carry, 136-yard performance last Sunday against Houston earned him his third nomination, and subsequently his third win for the award. His 167-yard day against Tennessee in Week 2 and his 149-yard effort in the Week 4 against New Orleans also earned him FedEx Ground Player of the Week honors.

Last week’s FedEx Air Player of the Week honor went to Peyton Manning, who tallied 479 passing yards and four touchdowns on 31-of-47 passing.

As a result of Murray’s win, the Dallas chapter of the American Red Cross will be awarded a $2,000 donation in his name.

Murray is averaging 134 rushing yards per game this season, which is a full 33 yards more than his next-closest competitor. Even without a touchdown last week against the Texans, he is also averaging one rushing touchdown per game.

This is the fifth time Murray has claimed this award in his career – he won it in 2011 and 2013 for his two outstanding performances against St. Louis. He joins a distinguished list of running backs to win the award three times or more in a season – including LeSean McCoy, Adrian Peterson, Clinton Portis and LaDanian Tomlinson.