Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
The Buffalo Bills running back is underrated around the NFL, and he had his best game in Week 2.
The Buffalo Bills absolutely controlled the game against the Miami Dolphins to kick off Week 2, and perhaps the biggest reason for the domination was running back James Cook. With help from a commanding offensive line performance, Cook ran all over the Dolphins to set the tone for the Bills’ big 31-10 win.
Multiple times during the Thursday Night Football broadcast, Cook was referred to as one of the most underrated backs in the entire NFL, even after making the Pro Bowl following the 2023 season. Last year, he finished 10th in the league in rushing and 6th in yards from scrimmage. Still, the former second-round pick sits in the shadow of Josh Allen when it comes to the Bills’ offensive playmakers.
On Thursday night, that was not the case.
Cook was the heat that roasted the Miami Dolphins defense, powering the Bills to a big early season AFC East win. The third-year running back opened the scoring on a fourth-down catch and run in the first quarter, where offensive coordinator Joe Brady schemed him wide open to give Buffalo the early lead.
After Buffalo extended their lead with a field goal, the Bills meticulously moved the ball down the field on the snuing possession with Cook on the sideline, only for him to come in and vulture another touchdown midway through the second quarter. Buffalo was up 17-7.
After the kickoff and a few snaps, defensive tackle Ed Oliver sacked Dolphins QB Tua Tagovaiola on fourth down and the Bills got the ball back quickly. Just as quickly, Buffalo brought in an extra offensive lineman on first down, former Bills safety Jordan Poyer took a bad angle, and Cook was off to the races for a 49-yard touchdown — the longest play of his young career.
Cook finished the game with just 11 carries for 78 yards (7.7 yards per rush) and the one catch for 17 yards, though most of the damage was done in the first 30 minutes. With three scores in the first half, Cook tied the team record for most touchdowns in the first half of a game.
Often referred to as the younger brother of Dalvin Cook, James is following in his brother’s footsteps but emerging from that shadow, as well. A kid from Miami with about 40 family members in attendance (per the broadcast), the younger Cook was glad to perform well in front of his friends.
“When you come back home you always have to put on a show,” he said after the game.
With pundits mistakenly referring to Allen as the guy who has to put everything on his shoulders every game for the Bills’ offense to work, head coach Sean McDermott has been singing the running game’s praises for a while. Cook proved on Thursday night that it’s not a one-man show and Buffalo’s mantra of “everybody eats” is going to include the running back position.
