Buffalo Bills, James Cook Bullying Dallas Cowboys, Lead Big at Halftime
With their season on the line, the Buffalo Bills burst out of the gates and gave one of the NFL's best teams a punch to the jaw in the first half at Highmark Stadium on Sunday.
Behind an all-around effort from running back James Cook and some stifiling defense, the Bills led the Dallas Cowboys 21-3 headed into halftime.
The Bills (7-6) essentially need a win to keep their playoff hopes alive. Quarterback Josh Allen and Cook certainly played like this was the case, gashing the Cowboys (10-3) on the ground and through the air.
Buffalo Bills cornerback Rasul Douglas (31) and safety Jordan Poyer (21) tackle Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) in the first half at Highmark Stadium.
© Mark Konezny, USA TODAY
Allen finished the first half 5 of 11 passing for 73 yards and one touchdown. He added five carries for 15 yards and a one-yard touchdown plunge to build the lead to 21-3 late in the half. His first score came on a 18-yard touchdown grab from Cook in the second quarter to give Buffalo a 14-0 lead after Latavius Murray had punched in a game-opening touchdown early on.
Cook did it all for the Bills offense in the first half. He headed into halftime with 14 carries for 104 yards to go along with two catches for a team-high 42 receiving yards and a touchdown. He found gaping holes in the Dallas defense nearly every time he was touching the rock.
The Bills scored a touchdown on three of their four first-half drives.
Meanwhile, the Cowboys, who were out-gained by Cook alone in the first half, punted three times a mustered a field goal midway through the second quarter.
Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott was shut down by the Bills defense, as he finished the half just 6 of 13 passing for 43 yards.
The Cowboys will receive the second-half kickoff.
