NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Maybe DeMarco Murray should be considered a candidate for the Dallas Cowboys' defensive MVP award.

After all, the defense’s job is a heck of a lot easier when they get to stand on the sideline and watch Murray move the chains.

"He’s the best running back in the world to me," safety Barry Church said with a big smile. "That boy’s milking that clock."

The Cowboys lead the league in time of possession, controlling the ball for 36:18 per game. The defense was on the field for less than 19 minutes during Sunday’s win against the Tennessee Titans.

That is mostly because of the work Murray has done running behind a dominant offensive line that features three recent first-round picks. Murray leads the NFL in rushing with 285 yards on 51 carries, an average of 5.6 yards per pop.

Murray has rushed for 18 first downs, including a career-high 10 against the Titans. No other back in the league has more than 10 rushing first downs this season.

"You can’t ask for a better game for a defense," middle linebacker Rolando McClain said. "We got time to sit on the sidelines, go over checks, and just stay fresh and get prepared to go back on the field, so, I mean that played a tremendous part in us just staying fresh and being able to make plays. We’ve got to give our hats off to the offensive line and DeMarco the way they ran the ball."