Running back James Cook III was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week after his record-setting performance against the Carolina Panthers in Week 8. This is Cook's second AFC accolade attained in the 2025 season after being named the conference's September Offensive Player of the Month.
On Sunday, Oct. 26, Cook posted 216 rushing yards and tough rushing touchdowns on 19 carries.
His 64-yard rushing touchdown halfway through the second quarter was his second-longest of his career. Cook had a 65-yard rushing score against the 49ers in Week 13 of 2024.
He became the third Bills player to accumulate 200-plus rushing yards and two scores in one game, and rushed for the most yards in team history since O.J. Simpson in Week 12 of 1976.
Cook tallied the most rushing yards (141) before contact by any player in the 2025 season so far. He also totaled the most yards per carry (11.4) by a running back since Derrick Henry's performance in Week 14 of 2018.
Buffalo had 158 rushing yards in the first half against the Panthers, which is the most the Bills had since their 164-rushing yard performance in the first half against the 49ers in Week 6 of 2016. Cook was responsible for 153 of those yards on the ground. This was the most by any player since Dalvin Cook's 153-yard half performance in 2021. Seventy-nine of his first half rushing yards came from the first quarter, which is his best first quarter performance of his career.
