James Cook runs for 80 yards and TD vs. Ravens

Cook had a much-needed bounce-back game in Sunday’s win over the Raiders. A week after he fumbled twice in an overtime win over the Rams, Cook secured the football for all four quarters and broke off multiple explosive plays while handling 22 of the Bills’ 24 running back carries. His lone rushing touchdown came on a three-yard run in the fourth quarter, and came one play after Cook ripped off a 26-yard reception on a third-and-three to keep the chains moving. Concerns about ball security may follow Cook for the remainder of the season, but his role in the Bills’ offense continues to provide valuable production in both real and fantasy football. He will be locked in as an RB1 in Week 8 against the Ravens when the Bills return from their Week 7 bye.

“At some point, there has to be consequences,” Brady said about his lead back, who has fumbled four times in five games this season, including twice on Monday night. Cook has played 67.3 percent of the team’s snaps, and this probably isn’t a threat to his lead back status, but it wouldn’t be surprising if he sat on the bench for a spell if he fumbled in Week 6.

Cook’s elite rushing line was overshadowed by two fumbles, the second of which was a lost fumble on the team’s first possession of overtime, placing the Rams in position to complete the comeback and steal away the victory. A blocked field goal on what would have been the game-winning kick breathed new life into the Bills, who demonstrated confidence in their lead back by throwing him right back out there on the following possession to eventually win the game. The 26 touches go down as a season high for the veteran back, who found paint for the fourth consecutive game in the thrilling overtime win. Cook remains a top-tier RB1 for fantasy purposes ahead of a Week 6 meeting with the Raiders in Las Vegas.

He added two catches for either yards. This game was never more than a one-score game, so it’s pretty shocking that Cook only had 14 touches. The Patriots did a good job containing him early in the game, apart from his touchdown run, but the Bills simply moved away from the running game too quickly. Cook was gaining huge chunk yards in the second half and should have been fed more carries during the game. With the Bills having their second straight mediocre offensive performance, you have to wonder if they will make it a point to lean on Cook more next week against the Rams.

Cook was the only running back to get a carry on the day, and he ripped off over six yards per rush. He got the Bills down inside the two-yard line twice but watched as Josh Allen ran it into the end zone each time. On the third trip deep into the red zone, Cook rushed it in from four yards out. With Ty Johnson back, Cook did cede some passing game work; however, Cook also played 42 of the team’s 62 snaps, compared to just 15 snaps for Johnson. The lack of receiving may prevent Cook from being a top-five running back, but he’s a clear RB1.

Cook jumped out to a scorching start on the ground, reaching the century mark in rushing before the half. Still, fantasy managers were left scratching their head as they watched Josh Allen account for three touchdowns from inside the five, two on the ground and one through the air. It wasn’t until a 22-yard carry that was down at the one late in the fourth quarter that the team rewarded Cook with a short-yardage touchdown, finally allowing fantasy managers their first taste of sweet touchdown copium from their first-round draft pick on the young season. Cook is likely to remain busy when the Bills host the Jets in Week 3, where he will remain a locked-in RB1.

Bills RB James Cook totaled 57 yards on just 13 rushing attempts last week, adding three catches for 12 yards. Per Fowler, the Bills plan to use him a lot more in primetime this evening. Cook can be treated as a locked-in RB1 in what should be a fantasy-friendly game environment on Thursday Night Football. The Bills notably elevated RB Frank Gore Jr. from the practice squad, which could indicate that RB Ty Johnson (hamstring) will be inactive tonight.

Cook had twenty yards on the game’s first drive, but the game eventually skewed pass-heavy for the Bills and Josh Allen had the game’s only two rushing touchdowns. Per PFF’s early charting data, Cook had 41 of the 57 snaps and almost all the work ahead of Ray Davis and Frank Gore Jr. Assuming Ty Johnson remains out on a short week against the Lions in Week 2, Cook will remain a touch-dominator on the RB1 line and will have a chance for a better touchdown runout.

It sure looks like the hamstring strain that Johnson suffered more than a month ago is going to keep him sidelined for the Bills’ season opener against the Texans. Starting RB James Cook was expected to play a larger role in the passing game this year. With Johnson sidelined, Cook could hog passing down snaps.

Johnson went down while running a route on August 9th. He resumed running roughly two weeks ago, but has not yet rejoined his teammates in drills. Although Johnson is not on the fantasy radar himself, he has hogged passing down snaps in recent seasons. Starting RB James Cook has been expected to take on a larger receiving role this season, and Johnson’s potential absence adds credence to that idea.