Buffalo Bills Embarrass Dallas Cowboys Behind James Cook's Career Day
The Buffalo Bills still have a long way to go down the season's final stretch to prove that their preseason Super Bowl expectations were for real, but there's no doubt that Sunday's dominating win over the Dallas Cowboys was a statement for the ages.
Running back James Cook finished with 221 total scrimmage yards and two touchdowns, out-gaining the entire Cowboys offense (195 yards) and the Bills embarrassed the Cowboys in a 31-10 win at Highmark Stadium to keep their playoff hopes alive and well with three games remaining.
The Bills (8-6) finished with 266 rushing yards and established the physicality from the opening possession of the game. Cook was at the center of it all, as he set career-high marks in carries (25) and rushing yards (179) while gashing the Dallas (10-4) defense on seemingly every touch.
James Cook
© Gregory Fisher, USA TODAY
Buffalo's defense shut down quarterback Dak Prescott and one of the league's best offenses. Even without safety Micah Hyde and defensive end A.J. Epenesa, the Bills limited Prescott to 21 of 34 passing for 134 yards and an interception while Cowboys star receiver CeeDee Lamb had seven catches for 53 yards and got a rushing touchdown late in the game when the result was well in hand.
Bills quarterback Josh Allen hardly had to do much, as he finished 7 of 15 passing for just 94 yards and a touchdown. After Latavius Murray plunged in for a opening-drive touchdown early on, Allen found Cook for a 18-yard touchdown on the third possession, and the Bills never looked back.
“Felt like the kid who didn’t do anything in the class project and still got an A," Allen said.
Buffalo will look to keep momentum going in Week 16 against the Los Angeles Chargers.
