If you had told a Buffalo Bills fan back in August that James Cook would basically become a touchdown machine, they would’ve probably laughed in your face. Honestly, the narrative on Cook was set in stone. He was the "between-the-twenties" guy. The "explosive but small" back. The dude who gets tackled at the three-yard line so Josh Allen can vulture the score.
Then 2024 happened.
The shift wasn't just a slight improvement; it was a total identity overhaul for the Bills' offense under Joe Brady. We're talking about a guy who had exactly two rushing touchdowns in all of 2023. Two. By the time the James Cook touchdowns 2024 tally was finalized, he had racked up 16 rushing touchdowns in the regular season alone.
That doesn't just lead the team—it tied a franchise record held by O.J. Simpson since 1975.
Why the Red Zone finally opened up
For years, the Bills' red zone strategy was essentially "Let Josh Allen be a superhero." While that works for winning games, it's a nightmare for a running back's stat sheet. In 2023, Cook only had five carries inside the five-yard line. Total.
In 2024, that number jumped to 15.
Joe Brady realized that slamming a 240-pound quarterback into a defensive line every single time you’re near the goal line is a great way to get your franchise player hurt. So, they started using Cook’s lateral quickness. Instead of just power runs up the gut, the Bills utilized more stretch plays and tosses that let Cook outrun linebackers to the pylon.
It worked. Boy, did it work.
Cook didn't just score; he scored in bunches. He opened the season with a touchdown in each of the first four games. That’s how you win AFC Offensive Player of the Month.
Breaking down the numbers
Let’s look at the raw production because the efficiency was kind of absurd. Cook finished the regular season with 18 total touchdowns (16 rushing, 2 receiving).
- Rushing TDs: 16
- Receiving TDs: 2
- Total Scrimmage Yards: 1,267
- Postseason Additions: 3 rushing TDs
People like to point at his size—5'11" and about 190 pounds—and say he can’t handle the volume. But he was the engine. Even when the Bills drafted Ray Davis (who is built like a bowling ball), Cook didn't lose the "money" touches. He actually became more efficient with them.
He ended up tied with Derrick Henry and Jahmyr Gibbs for the NFL lead in rushing touchdowns. Think about that for a second. James Cook, the guy people called "finesse," had as many ground scores as the King himself.
The "Regression" argument and the 2025 reality
Now, if you’re a fantasy football manager or just a bettor, you’re probably hearing the word "regression" a lot lately.
ESPN’s Tyler Fulghum and other analysts have been shouting from the rooftops that Cook’s 2024 touchdown rate is unsustainable. They aren't entirely wrong, but they might be missing the context. Yes, scoring 16 times on 207 carries is a high rate. But the Bills' offense has fundamentally changed.
The arrival of Keon Coleman and the emergence of Khalil Shakir meant defenses couldn't just stack the box. When they played "two-high" shells to stop Josh Allen from launching bombs, Cook had massive lanes.
The biggest threat to the James Cook touchdowns 2024 repeat performance isn't necessarily a lack of skill; it's the 2025 arrival of more competition. Ray Davis started taking more snaps toward the end of the year, especially in the blowout win against the Jets where Cook only got two carries.
What really happened in the playoffs?
Cook's regular season was legendary, but his postseason was where he proved he could handle the "heavy" games. In the Wild Card round against the Jaguars, things were tough. Jacksonville had the #1 ranked rush defense, and they held him to just 46 yards.
But he didn't disappear.
He punched in three touchdowns across three playoff games. He was the reason they stayed competitive against the Ravens and the Chiefs. Even when the yards weren't easy, the "nose for the end zone" stayed.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're tracking Cook's trajectory for the future, keep these specific factors in mind:
- Goal-line Utilization: Watch the "heavy" personnel sets. If the Bills keep using Reggie Gilliam (FB) as a lead blocker for Cook instead of a personal protector for Allen, the touchdown floor remains high.
- Snap Share Trends: Cook's snap share hovered around 57-60%. If that drops below 50% in favor of Ray Davis, the volume-based scores will vanish.
- The "Allen Factor": Josh Allen still had 14 rushing touchdowns of his own in 2024. As long as Allen is a threat to run, defenders have to freeze for a split second, giving Cook the edge he needs to hit the hole.
James Cook finally killed the "soft" label in 2024. He became a primary scoring option in one of the most high-powered offenses in football. Whether he hits 16 again next year is debatable, but he’s no longer the guy who just sets up the scores—he’s the guy finishing them.
✨ Don't miss: 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series: Why This Year Changed Everything
To get the most out of following Cook's upcoming season, start by monitoring the Bills' preseason offensive line rotations. Their 75% run-block win rate was a huge reason for his success, and any injury to the interior trio will directly impact his ability to reach the end zone in 2025.