Buffalo Bills running back James Cook did what no other Bills back had done in 50 years — led the NFL in rushing.
And he got a good chunk of those yards before taking a single hit.
The team announced this week that Cook led the NFL in an important rushing category, one that reflects well both on him and the team’s offensive line. Cook endured some nail-biting moments as Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry fell just short of surpassing him during Sunday night’s game, but now he will head to the playoffs with a rushing title on his resume.
James Cook Atop the NFL
Citing NextGen Stats, the team announced this week that Cook led the NFL with 519 yards before contact. That speaks well to Cook’s vision on the field and the offensive line’s ability to open up running lanes.
“Put it in the Cook Book,” the team wrote in its post announcing the news.
Cook led the NFL with 1,621 rushing yards, the first Bills running back to lead the league since O.J. Simpson in 1976. He has opened up the team’s rushing game, giving them a strong complement to Josh Allen and the passing game.
The normally quiet Cook spoke about the achievement this week, saying he celebrated with family.
“It was special, you know, just to celebrate an accomplishment with your family,” Cook told reporters after practice on Wednesday, via WIVB in Buffalo.
Cook finished Sunday’s game with a lead of 152 yards on Henry, but the Ravens running back had 112 yards and halftime and appeared to be on track to stealing away the title. But the Pittsburgh Steelers clamped down on defense, holding Henry to just 14 yards in the second half.
“I was panicking after the bust that first run,” Cook said. “In the moment it was crazy. But I can’t really show it to you right now.”
Allen, who put in a plug for Cook to win league MVP, said he is well deserving of the honor.
“He deserves it,” Allen said. “He’s the best back in the league, and I can strongly say that. The way that he has carried himself throughout this year, the way that he consistently performs on a game to game basis, how hard he practices. He’s done everything to deserve this honor and it’s really cool. And we got to keep rolling with him in the playoffs.”
Bills Moving on to Jacksonville
Cook’s rushing title is a nice cap to the season, but the team is now shifting its focus to the wild-card round game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. The Bills were not able to catch the New England Patriots and will enter the playoffs as a road team for the first time since 2019.
The team has gotten healthier, with a report that Allen’s ailing foot is the best it has felt in weeks. Cook said he’s turning his attention away from the rushing title to focus on the team’s playoff run.
“Now it’s over,” Cook said. “Now it’s time to move on to the playoffs.”
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