The Buffalo Bills delivered an impressive performance on Sunday, October 26, with a commanding 40-9 victory over the Carolina Panthers. This decisive win was so dominant that the Bills opted to bench their star players in the fourth quarter, confident that the Panthers could not stage a comeback. Running back James Cook had a standout game, making headlines with his remarkable statistics.
In this matchup, Cook recorded an outstanding 141 rushing yards before being contacted, the highest of any player this season. He also averaged an impressive 11.4 yards per carry, a feat not achieved by a running back since Derrick Henry’s performance in Week 14 of 2018. These accomplishments earned Cook the title of AFC Offensive Player of the Week, an honor announced by the NFL on Wednesday, October 29. However, the decision was met with some dissent from NFL fans, with several arguing that New York Jets running back Breece Hall deserved the recognition as well, given his own notable performance of over 150 all-purpose yards, two rushing touchdowns, and a passing touchdown.
This latest accolade marks Cook’s second AFC honor for the 2025-26 season; he was previously named the conference’s Offensive Player of the Month for September. During the game against the Panthers, he amassed a total of 216 rushing yards and two tough rushing touchdowns on just 19 carries. His impressive 64-yard touchdown run during the second quarter tied for his second-longest career rush, only falling short of his 65-yard touchdown against the 49ers in the previous season.
With this victory, the Buffalo Bills now hold a record of 5-2 for the current season, positioning them as one of the stronger teams in the league. Eric Edholm of the NFL’s website ranked them as the ninth strongest team as of Week 9. Edholm noted how the Bills came back from their bye week with a stellar defensive performance, sacking quarterback Andy Dalton seven times, creating three turnovers, and allowing the Panthers to score only nine points. He also highlighted the performance of players like Mike Hoecht and Larry Ogunjobi, who returned from suspension, although the injury to Ed Oliver raises concerns for the team going forward.
The Bills are set to face one of their biggest rivals, the Kansas City Chiefs, on Sunday, November 2, in what promises to be an exciting matchup. After earlier losses to the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons, the team’s momentum is crucial as they strive to continue their winning streak. The Bills have a strong foundation, showcased by their recent performances, and they aim to keep building on their success in the weeks to come. With players like Cook leading the charge, the future looks promising for Buffalo.