ESPN named James Cook the player of the game in their postgame show and it’s easy to see why. The Buffalo Bills leaned on their running back against the Minnesota Vikings, and despite a slow start, Cook delivered over the course of the game and scored what felt like the game-ending touchdown with 6:17 left in the fourth quarter.
Cook’s previous career high in carries came in 2025 when he ran the ball 32 times with two offensive lineman injured against a really talented Pittsburgh Steelers defense.
The same thing happened in Minnesota, when two Bills offensive linemen were on the shelf and Buffalo needed the help. Cook toted the rock 31 times for 107 yards at a tough 3.5 yards per carry. Cook’s long was only 11 yards on Monday.
In the passing game, Cook was targeted once but let the Allen pass go through his hands but he probably wouldn’t have picked up many yards anyway.
The rest of the rushing game was shaky at best. Josh Allen ran the ball five times for 16 yards (outside the first half kneel down), mostly on designed runs. Ray Davis had two runs for two yards. Ty Johnson had one rush for one yard.
Cook deserves a ton of credit for continuing to grind against the Vikings. It’s a short week for the Blls heading into a Sunday game after a road trip on Monday night, so hopefully he can get iced up with a veteran rest day this week.
