If there was a time for the run game for the Buffalo Bills to come alive, it was this week against a top defensive unit in the Dallas Cowboys. Heading into this game, the big story lineup was Josh Allen vs. Dak Prescott in what was expected to be a great game between both quarterbacks. Instead, in turned into the James Cook show that led the way for the Bills in front of the home crowd. For the first time this year, the Bills won because of the ground game that didn’t involve Allen.
Over the last month of football, the Bills’ offense has been unleashed as they have scored 30+ points in three of their last four games. The first two wins came from within the air, but this game against the Cowboys was all about establishing the run.
Cook carried the ball 25 times for 179 yards and 2 total touchdowns. He also finished second in receiving yards with 42 yards. Averaging over 7 yards a carry, Cook seemed unstoppable and was the clear-cut MVP in this matchup.
The defense for the Cowboys has been no joke this season and there was reason to believe that they could have easily disrupted the Buffalo offense. However, Cook took advantage of the lack of preparation of the Cowboys. It seemed like every time Cook got the ball in his hands, there was a gut feeling of positive yardage to help move the chains.
This was Cook’s first game over 120 rushing yards since Week 2 against the Las Vegas Raiders. He has been the biggest weapon for the Bills the last two weeks and he has helped the offense move smoothly. Cook will be depended on the last three regular season games against the Chargers, Patriots and Dolphins. This game proves that when the Bills get the run game going with Cook, it opens up everything else on the offense.