Buffalo Bills running back James Cook stole the show in his team’s win over the Dallas Cowboys this past Sunday, carrying the ball 25 times for 179 yards and a touchdown. He also logged a couple of catches for 42 yards and a score in the 31-10 victory.
Cook is normally reserved, but even he could not contain his emotion after his Week 15 performance.
The outing was Cook’s best game of the season. Prior to Week 15, Cook had only logged two 100-yard performances in 2023, with his best showing coming in Week 2 when he punctured the Los Angeles Rams for 138 yards in a 38-10 win.
On the season overall, Cook has rushed for 968 yards and a couple of touchdowns while averaging a robust 5.1 yards per carry. In addition, he has hauled in 40 receptions for 433 yards and four scores.
For all of the talk that the Bills lack a true No. 1 running back, Cook has certainly answered the bell.
Cook, who played his collegiate football at the University of Georgia, was selected by Buffalo in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
He played in 16 games during his rookie campaign, finishing with 507 yards and a pair of touchdowns while registering 5.7 yards per carry. He added 21 grabs for 180 yards and a score.
Last offseason, the Bills moved on from fellow halfback Devin Singletary, pushing Cook into the featured role in Buffalo’s backfield.
Many wondered just how Cook would handle an increased role, and there have definitely been times this season where it looked overwhelming for him. Take Week 5, for example, when Cook carried the ball five times for minus-4 yards in a loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Overall, however, James Cook has done an admirable job as the Bills’ lead back.
Buffalo improved to 8-6 with its enormous win over the Dallas Cowboys and is managing to stay alive in the AFC playoff picture.
The Bills will head on the road to battle the Los Angeles Chargers this Saturday before facing the New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins to wrap up the regular season.
More must-reads: