Running back James Cook III has been named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week following his standout performance against the Carolina Panthers in Week 8 of the 2025 NFL season. This marks Cook’s second conference honor this year, having previously received the AFC September Offensive Player of the Month award.
On October 26, Cook rushed for 216 yards and scored two touchdowns on 19 carries. His 64-yard touchdown run in the second quarter was his second-longest career rush, just behind a 65-yard score he achieved against San Francisco in Week 13 of last season.
Cook is now one of only three Buffalo Bills players to record more than 200 rushing yards and two touchdowns in a single game. His yardage total is also the highest by a Bills player since O.J. Simpson set a team record in Week 12 of 1976.
In addition, Cook led all NFL players so far this season with 141 rushing yards before contact during Sunday’s game. He averaged 11.4 yards per carry, which is the best mark for any running back since Derrick Henry’s performance in Week 14 of the 2018 season.
The Bills amassed a total of 158 rushing yards in the first half against Carolina, their highest first-half total since recording 164 rushing yards against San Francisco in Week 6 of the 2016 season. Cook contributed most of that effort with 153 first-half rushing yards—the most by any player since Dalvin Cook’s similar achievement in a half during the 2021 season. Of those, he gained a personal-best 79 rushing yards during just the first quarter.
