When one thinks of the Buffalo Bills, there’s a good chance that a team with a high-octane passing offense centered around quarterback Josh Allen and receiver Stefon Diggs is what comes to mind.
What tends to get lost in the shuffle, though, is the fact that the Bills have a pretty good run game as well. In fact, Buffalo has had a top-10 rushing offense in each of the past three seasons. Having a mobile quarterback certainly helps, but with James Cook now leading the backfield, the Bills’ running game is arguably the best it’s been in the Allen era.
New Year’s resolutions are the hot thing once again with the calendar about to flip to 2024, and according to CBS Sports, the Bills should get in on the fun by further leaning on Cook and the ground game.
“Giving Josh Allen another wideout is equally as vital for the offseason, but Cook is already a dynamic outlet, capable of lessening Allen’s need to play Superman alongside Stefon Diggs,” CBS Sports writes. “If Sean McDermott’s banged-up defense can’t power a playoff push, then controlling the ball and clock seems like the right recipe.”
Actually, the Bills are one of the more run-heavy teams in the league. According to Pro Football Reference, Buffalo ranks seventh in rushing attempts and just 18th in passing attempts.
Still, there is a correlation between rushing attempts and wins. Eight of the top 10 teams in rushing attempts are currently holding playoff spots, with the Chicago Bears and Atlanta Falcons being the only exceptions. Of course, that’s because teams that are ahead run the ball more often in order to speed up the game.
The Bills have fought their way back from the brink and are now on the verge of clinching a playoff spot for the fifth consecutive season, which would be their longest streak in 30 years if they do so. As they look to accomplish that goal and many more, leaning on Cook, who is now over 1,000 rushing yards on the year, could help them in their quest.
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