ClutchPoints
The Buffalo Bills’ path to victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday afternoon runs directly through one critical battleground: James Cook and the offensive line against Kansas City’s vulnerable run defense. While the matchup between Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes will dominate headlines, the Bills’ ability to establish Cook as a workhorse on the ground represents their best opportunity to control this pivotal Week 9 showdown at Highmark Stadium.
The Chiefs have been exposed defensively against the run throughout the 2025 season, ranking 11th in rushing yards allowed per game at 100 yards while sitting 24th in expected points allowed on rushes according to TruMedia. Even more concerning for Kansas City, they’re surrendering 1.55 yards per rush before contact, placing them 20th in the league. That means opposing offensive lines are winning at the point of attack before running backs even get touched, creating massive running lanes for explosive plays.
Buffalo witnessed this vulnerability firsthand last week when Cook erupted for 216 yards and two touchdowns on just 19 carries against Carolina, averaging an eye-popping 11.4 yards per attempt. The offensive line dominated at the line of scrimmage, with Cook gaining 141 yards before contact, the most by any player in a single game during the 2025 season. That performance showcased precisely the formula Buffalo must replicate against Kansas City’s suspect front seven.
The numbers tell a compelling story about Cook’s importance to Buffalo’s offensive success this season. In games where he receives 19 or more carries, Cook has surpassed 100 yards and scored at least once, with the Bills winning all three contests. Conversely, in games with fewer touches, he hasn’t achieved either milestone, and Buffalo has lost those matchups. Cook leads the league in both rushing yards per carry and rushing yards per game following his record-setting performance, making him the most efficient back in football.
Offensive coordinator Joe Brady must commit to feeding Cook early and often against Kansas City’s defensive front. The Bills’ under-center run game has been particularly effective, with 85 percent of Cook’s carries against Carolina coming from under center, allowing him to build momentum toward the line of scrimmage. This approach creates advantageous blocking angles for Buffalo’s offensive line while forcing Kansas City’s defense to honor the run threat rather than selling out against Allen’s passing attack.
The Chiefs’ defensive tackle situation exacerbates their run defense struggles. Beyond All-Pro Chris Jones, Kansas City lacks depth and consistency along the interior. Omarr Norman-Lott suffered a torn ACL that ended his season, leaving the Chiefs thin at one of their most critical positions. Derrick Nnadi ranks among the worst defensive linemen in the league according to Pro Football Focus, while Jerry Tillery hasn’t fared much better. This deficiency allows Buffalo’s offensive line, ranked third in the league by Pro Football Focus, to dominate one-on-one matchups and create running lanes.
Establishing Cook as a consistent threat accomplishes more...
