James Cook ties Josh Allen at 2nd for rushing touchdowns in a single season with the Buffalo Bills

Cook just scored his fifteenth rushing touchdown of the season – 13 more than his previous career high.

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook just etched his name next to Josh Allen in the franchise’s record books. With his first touchdown of the day, Cook now stands alongside his quarterback for the second most rushing touchdowns in a single season in franchise history.

Cook’s fifteen rushing touchdowns this season far outweigh his previous two seasons in which he had just two apiece. While his rookie season that could be expected as he was playing behind Devin Singletary and didn’t start any of the sixteen games he played in. In 2023, however, Cook was the Bills’ number one running back amassing 1122 yards. But, still, when the time came to punch the ball over the goal line, it wasn’t Cook who got the majority of those calls – it was Allen.

Now though, Cook has equaled Allen’s 15 rushing touchdowns from last season – but that doesn’t mean offensive coordinator Joe Brady has stopped calling Allen’s number near the goal line. Quite the opposite actually. Allen has 12 rushing touchdowns himself this season.

For Cook, while his per attempt yardage is just slightly over last seasons, he already has as many runs for 20 or more yards than he did all of last season. Three of those are for 40-plus yards – something he had only done once previously. The biggest difference this season, however, may be that Cook has not fumbled the ball even once. In 2023 he lost the ball three times.

Another change for Cook has been the Buffalo Bills’ offensive roster. Not only does he share the running duties with rookie Ray Davis and veteran Ty Johnson, but he hasn’t had to be called on to catch as many passes this season. Cook has just 29 catches – although one was for a touchdown – compared to last season’s 44 receptions (with four touchdowns).

There is no doubt that the Bills’ offense is a more diverse, but also more efficient, one than in Cook’s first two season in the NFL. While the focus has been on how the changes that took place – both with the roster and with Brady getting a full spring to plan – over the offseason have elevated Josh Allen’s game. But, maybe, what has been overlooked, is how those changes have helped Cook emerge and become the threat the Bills hoped he would be when they selected him with the 63rd pick of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Cook needs just one more rushing touchdown this season to tie Hall of Fame running back O.J. Simpson at the top of the Buffalo Bills record books. Sixteen is the franchise record for most rushing touchdowns in franchise history. With five quarters left on the Bills’ schedule, the watch is officially on.