Cook is displaying his explosiveness at the perfect time.
In Week 14, the Buffalo Bills defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in a must-win situation. The game was another close struggle between quarterbacks Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes, but an unheralded player emerged to be one of the game’s most significant players. Bills running back James Cook had a fantastic day and was Buffalo’s best playmaker aside from Josh Allen. Cook made several big plays to help the Bills go out to an early two-score lead. Let’s take a closer look at how crucial Cook was to Buffalo’s victory on Sunday.
James Cook loaded the stat sheet with numbers:
10 rushes for 58 yards (5.8 yards per carry)
5 receptions for 83 yards and 1 touchdown on 5 targets
Cook had the most rushing yards, receiving yards, and total yards of any player on either side. Cook’s 15 touches yielded an astounding 9.4 yards per touch.
Cook also topped the team in explosive plays with seven (25, 12, 12, 27, 11, 11, and 15) snaps that gained more than 10 yards.
This is the Bills’ opening play of the game, and it might be my favorite of the day. Some may believe that this was a “out of structure” piece by Allen and Cook, but I’m not convinced that it wasn’t simply the way they drew it up. This is a play I’ve seen in college football and it’s one I like. They looked to have purposefully tempted Kansas City’s DE up the field so Cook could unleash behind him. Cook made no attempt to block the DE, instead slipping behind him and releasing somewhat upfield. Allen pretended to scramble, and everyone’s attention was drawn to him. But I believe Allen was aware the entire time that he was throwing to a wide-open Cook with room to run on an over-pursuing defense.
Joe Brady, the temporary offensive coordinator, has created a stunning play. Cook ran a wheel route out of the backfield and up the seam, leaving him wide open for a touchdown. The wide receiver in motion drew the attention of the frontside safety, while tight end Dalton Kincaid rushed at the backside safety. This opened the door for Cook to score an easy touchdown.
Buffalo’s offensive line did an excellent job of blocking this play and allowing Cook to run up the middle. Cook’s vision against the Chiefs in Week 14 was outstanding.
Cook took another wheel pattern for a big gain, but this time he ran it up the sideline. Josh Allen may be seen making “adjustments” at the line before the video begins. I’m guessing he noticed the defender who would be covering Cook positioned on the line of scrimmage (which I emphasize in the video). Allen recognizes Cook’s speed and was content to throw to a wide-open Cook for a 27-yard gain.
On this play, a simple check-down ball to Cook resulted in an 11-yard gain. Allen liked Cook’s matchup against the defender and took the short toss for a good chunk of yardage on 2nd & 15.
On this 11-yard run, Cook made another excellent cut. The offensive line performed admirably for the Bills, allowing Cook some rushing room up the middle. It’s great to have an offensive tackle who can pull and make a block, like left tackle Dion Dawkins did for this rep.
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Mitch Morse, the Bills’ center, is underappreciated. It takes a lot of strength to snap the ball, then pull and gain outside leverage on a charging linebacker. Cook was able to get around the outside for a 15-yard gain thanks to Morse’s efforts.
In conclusion
At the perfect time in the season, James Cook is emerging as a genuine threat behind Josh Allen and wide receiver Stefon Diggs. Cook hasn’t yet been labeled a “workhorse” back by the Buffalo Bills, but his recent performance will make it difficult for Joe Brady to avoid handing him more touches. I anticipate Buffalo’s offense to focus on finding innovative ways for Cook to get the ball in the backfield as a runner or in space as a pass catcher as they prepare for what should be another stunning end-of-season run toward the playoffs.
Cook has carried the ball 163 times for 789 yards and one rushing touchdown in 13 games in 2023, as well as 38 catches on 44 targets for 391 yards and three receiving touchdowns. If Cook can remain a reliable weapon for the Bills’ offense for the rest of the season, opponents will have a far more difficult time committing resources to stopping Allen and Diggs. Let. Mr. James Cook.
