Bills under fire for ‘inexcusable’ decision that cost them in the loss against the Atlanta Falcons
It’s an easy fix for the team moving forward.
The Buffalo Bills have plenty of things to clean up during the bye week after back-to-back losses to the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons.
Buffalo’s defense was gashed in the first half against the Falcons, with running back Bijan Robinson and wide receiver Drake London having career days. However, it was the offense struggling to get anything going that’s been the real point of conversation.
In the loss against the Falcons, one “inexcusable” decision is front and center, and that’s the usage of running back James Cook. WGR Sports radio host Howard Simon wrote on X about the team’s decision not to let James Cook cook.
“James Cook’s snap count last night was 52.6%. His second-lowest of the season,” Simon wrote. “Lowest was in the blowout win over the Jets. As per ESPN, Cook was not on the field for any of the Bills’ nine plays on third down or their one play on fourth down. That’s inexcusable.”
Matt Parrino, Buffalo Bills reporter for Syracuse.com, joined in on the conversation, sharing the same sentiment as Howard.
“Look at how the Falcons use Bijan,” Parrino wrote. “He’s spread out wide and going in motion and running out of different formations out of backfield. It’s a stark contrast to how Bills are using James Cook. It’s inexcusable to me that Cook is only getting 50% snaps in this game. I don’t get it.”
James Cook’s career totals in Buffalo
- 2022 rushing: 89 attempts, 507 yards, two touchdowns
- 2022 receiving: 21 receptions, 180 yards, one touchdown
- 2023 rushing: 237 attempts, 1,122 yards, two touchdowns
- 2023 receiving: 44 receptions, 445 yards, four touchdowns
- 2024 rushing: 207 attempts, 1,009 yards, 16 touchdowns
- 2024 receiving: 32 receptions, 258 yards, two touchdowns
- 2025 rushing: 107 attempts, 537 yards, five touchdowns
- 2025 receiving: 12 receptions, 89 yards
James Cook dominated team’s first four games
Buffalo paid Cook handsomely in the offseason and needs to have him on the field in some of the biggest moments. It’s something that the team went away from in the past two contests, which is inexcusable and bizarre.
Through the team’s first four games, Cook had more than 100 scrimmage yards, but he has failed to reach that mark in the losses to the Patriots and the Falcons.
Buffalo needs to find a way to get Cook on the field more, especially in those critical third and fourth-down conversions. The $48 million man looks worth every bit of his contract when he’s actually on the field. The team should be leaning more on Cook in the running game and look to get him more involved in the passing game, something that’s been virtually nonexistent for Cook in two games.
Cook had zero targets in the receiving game in the losses to the Patriots and Falcons, and through six weeks, Cook has totaled 107 carries for 537 yards and five touchdowns with 12 receptions for 89 yards.
Buffalo has too much invested in Cook to let him fade into the background on offense. If the Bills want to get back on track after the bye, getting No. 4 more involved isn’t optional; it’s essential.
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