Running back James Cook III posted a record-setting game on Sunday during Buffalo's 40-9 win against the Panthers.

He had 19 carries for a career-high 216 yards and two rushing touchdowns. This included a 153-rushing yard performance in the first half along, which is the most by any player since Dalvin Cook's 153-yard half in Dec. 2021. James Cook also recorded 79 yards in the first quarter, his highest first quarter performance in his career as well.

Here's what the experts are saying about the Bills' running back.

Bills Postgame Live: Instant Reaction To Bills Dominant 40-9 Win Over The Panthers | Steve Tasker, One Bills Live

Following the action on Sunday, Tasker and Maddy Glab shared their biggest takeaways, and Cook was clearly the top storyline to hit with his career-high performance.

"He absolutely carried the offense. The Panthers had no answer for him … Joe Brady said 'Let's just stick with it,' and James Cook was the beneficiary of it. Ran all over the Panthers and I think for all we talked about Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard coming into this game, James Cook and the Bills offensive line said, 'Oh yeah?'"

Bills' James Cook gashes Panthers for 216 yards in win: 'When you have James Cook, you let him cook' | Kevin Patra, NFL.com

Cook's start to Sunday's game was indicative of how the rest of his afternoon went, according to Patra.

"The Bills did indeed let James cook, with the rumbling runner picking up chunk gains every time he touched the ball … Brady has gotten away from Cook for stretches far too often. It felt like it was starting to happen early again on Sunday. Then, the Bills fed their chef."

‘James Cook is back. Buffalo is back’ | Isaiah Stanback, Good Morning Football

While handing out Game Balls for the Week 8 slate, Stanback backed Cook and put the Bills back on everyone's radar after a two-game losing streak.

"There's somebody who had more … and his name is James and he likes to Cook. Nineteen for 216 yards. This man is just a menace. If you get him past the second level linebackers, it is game over. Turn the controllers off, turn the system off because you're not going to catch him. He's just going to flip on you just like that all day long. James Cook is back. Buffalo is back."

James Cook’s historic day lifts Bills in cathartic win vs. Panthers: ‘I feel like I could go again’ | Tim Graham, The Athletic

Graham said that Buffalo's offense is hard to imagine if Cook wasn't involved. He noted that Davis and Johnson didn't accumulate nearly as many touches or yards. Despite fan concerns over who should be the starting back for the Bills before the 2025 season started, Graham said Cook's Week 8 performance speaks for itself. He described Cook as the catalyst for Buffalo's dominant win.

"Buffalo's offense is difficult to conceive without Cook's dynamism … Cook's display occurred at a critical time. Back-to-back losses before the bye week meant Sunday's victory was Buffalo's first in a calendar month, but the timing will give the next opponent something to consider."

Sean McDermott: "Different Attitude, Different Energy" | Sean McDermott, buffalobills.com

After the game, head coach Sean McDermott was asked about Cook's performance and the level of finish Buffalo performed at.

"There as an attitude that came with that, right? So, he breaks through into the second level of the defense. You got wide receivers, tight ends blocking. And he's of this mindset, he's going. He's going. And again, that's a collective mindset."

Kyle Brandt crowns Bills RB James Cook as Week 8 Angry Runs winner 'GMFB' | Kyle Brandt, NFL Network

Brandt had his Angry Runs winner segment on Monday and crowned Cook as Week 8's winner, commenting on how he singlehandedly outperformed Carolina's entire running back room.

"What did James Cook do yesterday? All kinds of James Cook stuff. Went absolutely nuts. 'Oh, the Bills are down. The Bills are out. The Bills are soft. It's all Josh Allen,' … Look at what [Cook] did to the darling Panthers who are supposedly the best running team … Jimbo becomes Himbo."

Bills establish 'identity' behind James Cook and dominant running game in 40-9 rout of Panthers | Steve Reed, AP News

McDermott emphasized his team finding its identity in 2025 and that it wasn't quite there yet. After Sunday's win, Reed said that Cook is meant to be a massive part of that identity and that Buffalo should lean heavy on his success even though it's revolved around quarterback Josh Allen in recent history.

"Yes, about that Bills identity.

The Bills offense has long been centered around 2024 NFL MVP Josh Allen, and to suggest that will change is foolish. But it appears the Bills are finding the most success when Cook is the focal point of the offense"

Josh Allen: "That's The Standard" | Josh Allen, buffalobills.com

After Sunday's game, Allen talked about the Bills' performance and shared his unsurprised thoughts on how well Cook played.

"James is playing outstanding right now. Our O-line's giving him a lot of holes, but he's just making some unbelievable cuts and outrunning people and is doing what James Cook does."

NFL Top-10 Rankings: A New No. 1; Packers Climb; Patriots, Bills Hold Steady | Bucky Brooks, FOX Sports

Buffalo landed sixth on Brooks' top 10 rankings after Week 8 largely due to the multidimensional offense that exploded on Sunday. Brooks said that between Cook and Allen, the Bills have a good shot at going far in the playoffs now that they're back to their winning ways.

"The James Cook-led running game complements Josh Allen's wizardry as an improvisational playmaker. Though the defense needs to improve to handle the AFC's heavyweights in the playoffs, the Bills can rely on a diverse offense to spark another deep postseason run."