Remember when there was uncertainty surrounding James Cook's future with the Buffalo Bills? And how he admittedly (and repeatedly) sat out of practice due to "business" amid their well-chronicled contract dispute roughly a month ago? Oh, the difference time can make.
The two sides eventually resolved their stalemate in due course with a long-term extension, and Cook has picked up exactly where he left off in 2024. So much so that the star running back suddenly finds himself on the verge of setting a franchise record following his spectacular Week 3 showing.
Cook's two-yard rushing touchdown in Buffalo's 31-21Thursday Night Football victory over the Dolphins marked his seventh straight regular-season contest finding the end zone. That ties an all-time Bills record, per the team's official communication department on X (formerly known as Twitter). It puts him on the brink of doing something no representative of the organization has ever achieved.
James Cook rushes for a touchdown in his seventh consecutive regular season game, tying the team record (accomplished three times previously - last in 1988 by Robb Riddick).
— Buffalo Bills PR (@BuffaloBillsPR) September 19, 2025
Star RB James Cook etches his name in Bills history to officially put offseason drama to bed
Four-time All-Pro fullback Carlton "Cookie" Gilchrist was the first Bills player to accomplish the feat in 1962 (h/t Kevin Patra of NFL.com). Then, Hall of Famer and Bills legend O.J. Simpson did it 13 years later in 1975. Fascinatingly, another 13 campaigns passed before Robb Riddick pulled it off in 1988.
Nearly four decades later, Cook joins Gilchrist, Simpson and Riddick in the annals of Bills history. Moreover, the 2022 second-round pick has a prime chance to pass them and stand alone. This high-powered Buffalo offense has shown zero signs of slowing down, even leaving some meat on the bone; the bountiful scoring opportunities should continue.
Buffalo hosts the New Orleans Saints in their upcoming match. This should be a great matchup for Cook, but no opponent should be taken lightly.
However, the Saints are one of six clubs that haven't allowed an opponent to run for a score through two weeks this season. Despite their struggles in the early goings, limiting rushing production hasn't been an issue. Pro Football Focus (PFF) lists New Orleans as the 13th-highest-graded run-stopping unit in football thus far (subscription required).
It's safe to call any differences Cook and the Bills had in recent months water under the bridge. Buffalo has picked up where they left off last year, dominating virtually anyone in their crosshairs.