James Cook isn’t just running the ball, he’s rewriting the history books for the Buffalo Bills. On Thursday night against the Detroit Lions, Cook blasted past Joe Cribbs to snatch fifth place on the franchise’s all-time rushing list, hitting that 4,445 career-yard mark in style.
Cook Carves Up the Lions’ Defense
You know how hard it is to climb an all-time list? Cook needed 130 rushing yards heading into that Thursday night showdown with the Lions, and he didn’t mess around. He locked it down in the fourth quarter, thanks to a monster 22-yard run that basically set him up for a quick one-yard touchdown rush right after. That push officially put him over Cribbs’ 4,445 career rushing yards in a Bills uniform. That’s a huge deal, man.
A New Path to Bills Immortality
Cribbs was a legend in his own right, drafted in the second round way back in 1980, blowing up with 1,000-yard seasons right out of the gate. He stacked up 4,445 yards and 21 touchdowns on 1,082 carries over 64 games before leaving for the USFL in 1984 and returning for one final Bills season in 1985. But here’s the kicker: Cook, also a second-round pick from 2022, wasn’t handed the keys like Cribbs was. He had a modest 89 carries as a rookie before becoming the main guy in his second season. Now, in his fifth season, he’s passed Cribbs on significantly fewer carries, 227 less to be exact. He hit that 4,445 mark on just 855 attempts! That’s insane efficiency.
The climb ain’t over either. Only four names are left ahead of him. Josh Allen is sitting at 4,744 yards, and Fred Jackson’s at 5,646. Both of those look catchable this season, no doubt. After that, though, it gets real steep with O.J. Simpson’s 10,183 and Thurman Thomas’ 11,938. Still, Cook has absolutely put his stamp on this franchise. James Cook is cementing his place as one of Buffalo’s five most prolific rushers ever. The dude is just getting started on this list, and it’s gonna be a blast watching him keep carving out his legacy.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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