James Cook scored the most heroic 1-yard TD of the AFC Championship

James Cook wouldn’t be denied.

The Buffalo Bills offense needed to keep scoring touchdowns as it trailed the Kansas City Chiefs by one score early in the third quarter of the 2025 AFC Championship Game. The Bills dug deep and turned in a methodical drive down the field and took them all the way to the goal line. Buffalo had already converted one fourth down on the drive when they faced 4th-and-goal from the Chiefs’ 1-yard-line. Buffalo had no choice but to go for it.

The Bills ran the option, and QB Josh Allen pitched it to James Cook. Cook looked dead in the water upon receiving the pitch as the Chiefs defense converged around him, but somehow he found just enough daylight to lunge for the end zone. Cook’s outstretched arm broke the plane before his knee hit, and the Bills had scored the game-tying touchdown.

This goes in the record books as a 1-yard touchdown run, but it felt so much more monumental than that. Cook’s second effort is what it’s all about. Watch the play here:

Here’s another look at Cook’s dive into the end zone. He clearly scored before he knee hit.

The Bills have been one of the league’s best rushing teams all year, with Allen and Cook leading a powerhouse attack. Cook truly feels like one of the NFL’s most underrated stars. The Bills wouldn’t be here without his efforts.

Bills-Chiefs is bringing out the best of both teams. We’re watching a classic in real time.