The Buffalo Bills, with Josh Allen, have long been an offense that is high-octane and explosive, with No. 17's arm capable of making throws other quarterbacks can't.
But in 2025, the explosive element in the passing game appears to have disappeared, and is being replaced by James Cook and the run game.
Fresh off a monster 249-yard day on the ground against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Bills are now officially the best rushing team in football, averaging a whopping 155.7 yards per game. It is the third time this season Buffalo has rushed for 200+ yards, and it has surpassed 100 rushing yards in all but two games.
But what is the catalyst for the Bills' incredible run game? Well, for Joe Brady, it's got nothing to do with Cook.
“I think number one is having Josh Allen as your quarterback,” Brady said. “That's not to discredit any of our players, but when you play Josh Allen, you're always going to want to stop Josh Allen in the pass game first, right?
"So, I think that's a huge element. Our guys understanding the scheme, the detail, and working together. The only way for the run game to work is everybody being on the same page.”
More: Sean McDermott names 1 crucial thing he's 'looking for' from Bills locker room
Bills facing crucial two-week stretch
Yes, the Bills got their groove back in the 26-7 win over the Steelers, but these next two weeks will tell us a lot about Sean McDermott's team.
Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals, and Drake Maye and the New England Patriots are up next as Buffalo has a chance to plant its AFC flag in the ground ahead of the postseason. The Bengals looked like a different team with Burrow, and the Patriots continue to curb-stomp their way through the season and now hold an 11-2 record.
The Bills appear to have found a recipe for success on offense, and it starts with Cook and the run game, but make no mistake, Allen will also have to do some heavy lifting if the Bills are to go on a deep playoff run.
But maybe the key to it all is for Josh to take a backseat and let the run game do most of the work.
More Bills news:
- Bills' Sean McDermott offers positive Keon Coleman message
- Bills' James Cook has pointed message over Josh Allen hit vs. Steelers
- What Bills' Tyler Bass injury announcement means for kicker's future, Matt Prater
- Bills' Josh Allen has interesting quote on Keon Coleman's performance vs. Steelers