December 17, 2023 – 6:22 PM PST
James Cook rushed for a career-high 179 yards and totaled two touchdowns to propel the Buffalo Bills to a 31-10 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday in Orchard Park, N.Y.
Cook reeled in an 18-yard touchdown pass from Josh Allen early in the second quarter and rushed for a 24-yard score early in the fourth. The second-year running back also set career-high totals in carries (25) and scrimmage yards (221).
Allen, who threw for just 94 yards, passed for a touchdown and rushed for another for an NFL-record 10th game in a single season. He bullied his way in from 1 yard out with 1:36 left in the second quarter to set the record he previously shared with Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (2020).
The Bills (8-6) posted their second straight win by limiting the Cowboys’ top-ranked scoring offense to just 195 total yards and 14 first downs.
Dallas’ Dak Prescott threw for just 134 yards and an interception and CeeDee Lamb rushed for a 3-yard touchdown.
The Cowboys (10-4) clinched a postseason berth for the third straight season prior to the game. They punched their ticket after the Atlanta Falcons dropped a 9-7 decision to the Carolina Panthers and the Green Bay Packers fell 34-20 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers earlier Sunday.
In addition to the lopsided result, Dallas also lost All-Pro right guard Zack Martin to a left quadriceps injury late in the first quarter. He was injured on a hit by Greg Rousseau and was ruled out for the contest after halftime.
Penalties proved costly for Dallas. The Cowboys committed a personal foul on each of Buffalo’s three touchdown drives in the first half.
DeMarcus Lawrence’s roughing the passer penalty on third-and-4 extended the Bills’ opening drive. Latavius Murray capped it off by pushing his way into the end zone from 2 yards out to open the scoring.
Sam Williams’ roughing the kicker penalty on a punt extended another drive for Buffalo, which capped it off with Cook’s touchdown reception.
Rookie Brandon Aubrey drilled a 32-yard field goal to put the Cowboys on the board midway through the second quarter. Jayron Kearse’s unnecessary roughness penalty then gave Buffalo a first down on a drive that Allen polished off with his legs.
Buffalo’s Tyler Bass made a 23-yard field goal with 2:36 remaining in the third quarter to cap a 15-play, 65-yard drive.
–Field Level Media