James Cook just dropped a masterclass in how to run a football, and the NFL took notice. The Buffalo Bills running back earned AFC Offensive Player of the Month honors for September, and honestly, it wasn’t even close.
Cook’s September Stats Tell the Whole Story
Let’s talk numbers, because Cook’s September was absolutely bonkers. The fourth-year back racked up 401 rushing yards on 75 carries, good for second in the entire NFL. But here’s where it gets spicy – Cook found the end zone five times on the ground, leading the league in rushing touchdowns.
That’s not just good. That’s historically good. He became just the sixth player since the Super Bowl era to record 100+ scrimmage yards and a rushing touchdown in each of his team’s first four games. The last Bills player to pull off this feat? A guy named O.J. Simpson back in 1975. Yeah, that O.J. Simpson.
The Cook Show Has Buffalo Fans Salivating
Buffalo’s ground game has been absolutely ridiculous to start the season, and Cook’s been the main course. The Bills lead the NFL in rushing yards during their perfect 4-0 start, which has Bills Mafia feeling pretty good about their Super Bowl chances.
He is averaging 5.3 yards per carry, which might not sound earth-shattering until you realize he’s doing it on 75 attempts. That’s not some small sample size fluke – that’s sustained excellence. The dude also hauled in 12 catches for 89 yards, because apparently just being a rushing machine wasn’t enough. Cook wanted to show off his hands, too.
Breaking Records Like They’re Made of Paper
Here is where the performance gets absolutely ridiculous: In Week 4, he set a franchise record with his eighth consecutive game featuring a rushing touchdown. Eight straight games. That’s not luck – that’s a player who’s figured out how to consistently punch it in when it matters.
Remember that jaw-dropping 40-yard touchdown run against the Jets in Week 2? That was Cook’s fifth career 40+ yard touchdown run since entering the league in 2022. Want to know who leads the NFL in that category since 2022? Yep, it’s Cook.
The Perfect Recipe For Success
What makes Cook so dangerous isn’t just his speed or his vision – it’s his consistency. While other running backs have games where they disappear, he shows up every Sunday like he’s got something to prove. The Bills rewarded him with a new contract before the season started, and through four games, that is looking like highway robbery for Buffalo. Cook’s 61% snap share out of the backfield shows the coaching staff trusts him completely.
This AFC Offensive Player of the Month Award is his first, but if he keeps serving up performances like this, it won’t be his last. With 13 games left on the schedule, Bills fans have every reason to believe their ground game can carry them all the way to February.
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