James Cook is gonna be absolutely gassed by Sunday night, and honestly, the guy is probably already counting down the seconds until the Bills’ early bye week kicks in. Forget needing a flight home to Buffalo after this one, the way the Las Vegas Raiders’ run defense has been playing, Cook might just float back on pure exhaustion.
The Raiders Are A Run Defense Nightmare (For Themselves)
Seriously, what is going on in Vegas? The Raiders are 3-2, so you gotta respect them on some level, especially after they gave Kansas City a run for their money. But their run defense? It’s just terrible. We’re talking 140.6 yards allowed per game, which is almost 30 yards more than the league average. That’s good for fifth worst in the entire league, which is not good. And it’s not like teams are just running extra plays, either. On a per-play basis, Las Vegas is the second worst in the league, giving up a staggering 5.21 yards per rushing attempt. Wildly, they’ve only allowed one rusher to break 100 yards all season, but letting a whole committee go off isn’t any better, right?
Bills’ Run Game Is Absolutely Elite
Now, let’s talk about the Bills’ ground game, because if you haven’t been paying attention, it’s in elite territory. Only one team in the entire league is more efficient at rushing than Buffalo: Kansas City. As a team, the Bills are averaging 5.37 yards per carry. And then you have James Cook, who’s personally clocking in at 5.6 yards per rush. He’s already stacked up three 100-yard games this season! This is the kind of matchup that just screams “blowout” on paper, despite the Bills dealing with a rookie head coach, a defense that’s been a little shaky, and an offense that’s had its moments of stumbling, even with its elite status. Cook is poised for a monster game.
The only real concern for Cook and the Bills this Sunday? The Raiders have a knack for the turnover, leading the league with six fumbles recovered this season. So, while Cook is gonna be feasting, he’ll need to hold onto that rock tight. After what’s shaping up to be a record-setting day for him, that much-needed bye week for Buffalo before they host the Baltimore Ravens will be huge. Get ready to watch Cook run wild.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Buffalo Rumblings.
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