The Buffalo Bills are often talked about as if they are solely the Josh Allen show, and as a result, running back James Cook has become one of the most underrated players in the league. Cook led the league in rushing in 2025, but he doesn’t often get the same praise that other top running backs receive.
Regardless of how little recognition Cook receives, the Las Vegas Raiders can’t afford to make the mistake of overlooking him when they face the Bills on Sunday. If Las Vegas is going to get back in the win column in Week 6, the defense has to respect the threat that Cook is and commit to stopping him.
Raiders have to slow down James cook in Week 6 game vs. Bills
In 2025, Cook had 1,621 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground, while adding 291 receiving yards and two additional touchdowns through the air. The three-time Pro Bowler has picked up right where he left off, running all over defenses to start the year.
Cook has 532 yards and five touchdowns on 95 carries this season, averaging 5.6 yards per rush, and 106.4 per game. The running back has surpassed 100 rushing yards in three of Buffalo’s five games, including a 111-yard, two-touchdown day against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 5.
However, Cook’s two fumbles dominated the headlines about him in that game, and Bills head coach Joe Brady added to the noise when he said Cook could see less carries if fumbling remains an issue. It’s safe to say opposing teams would definitely love if Buffalo gave the ball to Cook less.
The Raiders definitely would, but they’d be foolish to think that Cook isn’t going to be a factor on Sunday. While Las Vegas will be focused on slowing down Josh Allen, the defense needs to make sure that it has a James Cook plan as well.
Unfortunately for the Raiders, the defense hasn’t been that good at slowing down the run this season. On the year, Las Vegas is allowing 140.6 rushing yards per game, which ranks 28th in the NFL. The unit is also giving up 5.2 yards per rush, which is second-worst in the entire league.
If that’s the level of run defense that the Raiders are going to put on the field on Sunday, they might as well not show up for the game, because it will be a long day. If Las Vegas is going to get back to winning, it will start with slowing down a dangerous Bills rushing attack.
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