Buffalo Rumblings
The Buffalo Bills boast the reigning NFL MVP in quarterback Josh Allen, but despite possessing one of the league’s most dynamic dual-threat quarterbacks, when Buffalo has won this year, it’s been largely due to the contributions of another talented offensive weapon: running back James Cook III.
During Sunday’s physically imposing road win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cook rushed for 144 yards on 32 carries, his seventh time eclipsing 100 yards on the ground in 12 games for the Bills in 2025.
Without the presence of a true No. 1 wide receiver and with Buffalo’s receivers battling through a spate of injuries and an inability to create much separation downfield, today’s edition of Buffalo Rumblinks leads off with observations on how sustainable Buffalo’s rushing success is moving forward.
When James Cook goes over the century mark in rushing yards, good things usually happen for the Bills. Buffalo is 6-1 this year in games when Cook tops 100 rushing yards, with the only setback in Week 12 against the Houston Texans, when the Bills turned the ball over three times and Josh Allen was sacked a career-worst eight times during a 23-19 loss.
On Sunday, without starting offensive tackles Dion Dawkins and Spencer Brown for the first time since the 2021 season, Cook, Ray Davis, Allen and co. rushed for 249 yards, the most yards on the ground against a Steelers team playing at home in 50 years.
Conversely, in Buffalo’s other three losses this season, Cook did not top 100 yards, averaging only 63 yards per game (compared to 115.4 rushing yards per game in Buffalo’s eight wins). Moving forward, with the Bills needing to win out and get some luck to have a chance at capturing their sixth consecutive AFC East crown, catch up on why the Bills will need consistent production from Cook and their rushing attack; why Cook is the team’s X-Factor for the rest of the regular season; and revisiting how Buffalo’s offensive line held a master class in shutting down T.J. Watt and the Steelers’ formidable pass rush.
Exploring whether Tyler Bass’ season-ending surgery means Matt Prater has locked down the kicking job for the rest of the year; plus, how Josh Allen was “masterful” in orchestrating Buffalo’s offense during a 26-7 win in Pittsburgh; the unsung heroes Allen...
