Reasons why James Cook could explode for big game vs. Jaguars' No. 1 rush defense

There are a few reasons to believe James Cook could be in for some tough sledding in the Buffalo Bills’ upcoming Wild-Card matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars' No. 1-ranked rush defense.

But what about the reasons why Cook, the NFL’s leading rusher, could achieve a remarkable performance to help guide the Bills to a much-needed win?

Case for Cook

For starters, Cook’s performance throughout the regular season was basically matchup-proof.

Against the Houston Texans’ fourth-ranked rush defense (93.7 yards per game), Cook recorded 116 yards rushing and a touchdown on 17 carries. When facing the sixth-best run-stopping unit in the league, the New England Patriots (101.7 YPG), in Week 15, he went for 107 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries.

On the other side of the coin, while Jacksonville has done a phenomenal job in slowing a couple of the league’s top RBs — Jonathan Taylor and Christian McCaffrey — it has yet to face a quarterback-running back-offensive line combination that the Bills have to offer. With Allen as the reigning MVP, Cook as the NFL rushing leader and the Buffalo trench unit regarded as one of, if not the best in the league the Jaguars could be in for a rude awakening against the Bills' two-pronged attack and daunting front.

The Bills are No. 1 in run-block win rate (75%) this season, according to ESPN. That has helped the Buffalo OL pave the way for Cook to record the fourth-most yards before contact per attempt (3.0) among NFL RBs. Conversely, ESPN ranks Jacksonville 31st in the league in run stop win rate (28%) and is middle of the pack (T-18th) in terms of YBCo/Att (1.31) — both marks being worse than the Bills' leaky run defense.

MORE: Buffalo Bills could have avoided Maxwell Hairston's injury vs. Jets in Week 18

Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd (0) shakes hands with Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters after the game at EverBank Stadium, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jaguars defeated the Titans 41-7 | Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Counterpoint

The Bills will be throwing the kitchen sink at the Jaguars on Sunday afternoon, the likes of which they haven’t seen all year. But that isn't to undermine what Jacksonville brings to the table.

Led by linebacker Devin Lloyd, the Jaguars are allowing the third-fewest yards rushing over expected (-81) in the league, per Next Gen Stats, while their opponents' average of 2.67 yards after contact per attempt is second-best in the NFL. Jacksonville hasn’t allowed a ball carrier to exceed 75 yards in a single game all season.

Conclusion

All that said, in a matchup that is good on good, give me Cook to buck the trend created by the stout Jaguars’ rush defense while continuing his incredible campaign that has etched his name in the history books.

Allen under center, Cook out of the backfield, five formidable offensive linemen on the front lines — I’ll take my chances with that crew.

— Sign up for OnSI’s Free Buffalo Bills Newsletter —

More Buffalo Bills News:

Sean McDermott seems to take veiled shot at Bills' GM through comments on Jaguars' WR

Hall of Famer explains why he trusts Josh Allen, Bills most of any AFC playoff team

NFL insider reports Sean McDermott could be on hot seat if Bills' postseason goes awry

Buffalo Bills must play this list of 5 WRs for upcoming playoff run