James Cook gamboled through the brisk Buffalo air, his deep blue outfit topped off with just a bit of fairy dust. He had done the hard part already, rambling through Dallas’ redwoods to sneak into open air.
Now came the joy: Cook twirled into the end zone, topping off yet another impressive score — his second of the day — with a somersault.
LET JAMES COOK.
📺: #DALvsBUF on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/kw7mays4qU pic.twitter.com/vaPf6cc80s
— NFL (@NFL) December 17, 2023
It was the highlight of a glimmering affair at Highmark Stadium, one in which the Bills reaffirmed their status as one of the league’s most dangerous teams. And Cook was at the center of it all, basking in the starlight as he turned mountains into rubble with his hard-nose running (and just a bit of his receiving flourish).
Cook was omnipresent in Buffalo’s 31-10 win over Dallas. He ran. He caught passes. He blocked. And, as evidenced by his tumble into pay dirt, he was even okay with getting a little dirty to do so.
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With that, here’s what you need to know about Cook’s wondrous winter display in the City of Light.
James Cook stats today
The Bills’ offense is renowned for its artistic vigor, especially once the ball is lofted into the air.
Sunday’s clash with the Cowboys required a different approach, though. The Cowboys possess one of football’s most menacing front lines, spearheaded by perennial All-Pro Micah Parsons. They also have star power in the secondary, namely in the form of free-roaming cornerback DaRon Bland.
Couple that with frigid weather and you have an environment perfect for the forceful elegance of Cook.
Cook poured in 221 yards of total offense to go along with two scores (one rushing, one receiving). He floated across the meadow early, accounting for 32 yards on the first drive alone.
He would continue to mystify Dallas’ defense, finding gobs of terrain to the tune of 25 carries for 179 yards.
It was a surprisingly effective showing from Cook. Not because he isn’t one of the league’s better runners — he undoubtedly is. But that level of dominance is not the usual for him. Or, to put it in simpler terms:
Figured I would check James Cook’s college stats to see last time he ran for 179 yards. But he never ran for more than 104 at Georgia. Anyone have his HS stats?
— Tim Cowlishaw (@TimCowlishaw) December 17, 2023
Cook totaled 178 rushing yards in his final high school game, a Florida state championship match back in 2017.
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Cook is enjoying a breakout campaign. Sunday was latest display of this phenomenon. He became the third player to hit the 1,400 all-purpose yard mark on the year, joining MVP candidates Christian McCaffrey and Tyreek Hill.
James Cook is now 3rd in the NFL in all-purpose yards (1,401)
TOP 3 RB IN FOOTBALL 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/by6z5upBuX
— Built in Buffalo (@BuiltInBuffalo_) December 18, 2023
He did so with flair, too. So much so, in fact, that teammate Dion Dawkins dubbed him with a new nickname to represent his evolution.
“Things have changed now. Cook is getting passes and it’s getting him going and it’s getting his energy up,” Dawkins said. “Once his energy turns on then Cook really becomes Chef.”
Dion Dawkins gave James Cook a promotion today.
“Things have changed… Cook becomes Chef.”#Billsmafia pic.twitter.com/5MWkvZknAv
— Thad Brown (@thadbrown7) December 18, 2023
Josh Allen shared similar sentiments.
“Let James Cook,” Allen said in his postgame interview with Fox Sports’ Erin Andrews.
“Let James Cook.” 🧑🍳
Josh Allen to @ErinAndrews after the @BuffaloBills win vs the Cowboys pic.twitter.com/7i1Ikp9psw
— NFL on FOX Podcast (@NFLonFOXPod) December 18, 2023
Cook James did. And although it apparently wasn’t enough to earn him a game ball, his rumbling, bumbling excellence did remind the masses of just how dangerous the Bills can be.
They may not be the buzzsaw that they’ve shown themselves to be in years past. But Buffalo is certainly a juggernaut. And one of the biggest reasons why is because of Cook, their slick-handed gas-guzzler out the backfield.