The Buffalo Bills are in Charlotte to take on the Carolina Panthers this weekend. It’s an important game for the Bills as they look to improve to 5-2 and keep pace with the New England Patriots in the AFC East race.
In the first half of this game, though, star quarterback Josh Allen has not played great. Instead, running back James Cook has dominated so far, with 12 carries for 153 yards and one score with just under two minutes to play in the first half. As a result, many fans are trolling Allen for being “carried” by his running back.
Is James Cook the reason for Josh Allen’s success?
Cook is in the midst of an incredible season for the Bills in 2025.
Entering Week 8, Cook had 107 rushes for 537 yards and five touchdowns. The impressive running back also had 12 catches for 89 yards heading into this weekend heading into this weekend. In the first half against the Panthers, Cook had 12 carries for 153 yards and one touchdown. According to PFSN’s NFL RB Impact ranking, only Jonathan Taylor has been more efficient than Cook in 2025.
Meanwhile, Allen completed just six of his 13 pass attempts for 66 yards and no touchdown passes with two minutes left in the first half. Thanks to Cook’s incredible half, though, the Bills are enjoying a 19-3 lead at halftime.
Many fans on social media decided to troll Allen following his lackluster first half and Cook’s incredible play. Check out some of the reactions below.
Josh Allen is a James cook merchant
— beauknows (@Mcduffiedpoy) October 26, 2025
Allen is 5/10 for 60 yards and then James Cook has to save the drive #noticing pic.twitter.com/QpexMNpowE
— dru (@W1LLANDERS0N) October 26, 2025
Josh Allen really is James Cook-reliant
— logan ⛵️ (@logan21__) October 26, 2025
The real MVP of the bills is James Cook not Josh Allen an absolute travesty. Lamar got robbed last year, bro.
— MikeFour3 (@Mikefour3_) October 26, 2025
James Cook is carrying Josh Allen and that Buffalo offense this season
— Elliot (@Elliot_Dennis) October 26, 2025
Another user, who is a fan of the Bills, even admitted that Allen “gets carried by Cook.”
There is still plenty of time left in this game for Allen to turn it around. However, as long as the team comes away with the victory, I doubt Allen cares what his numbers look like.
Entering Week 8, Allen had thrown for 1,397 yards with 11 touchdowns and four interceptions. The star quarterback had also rushed 46 times for 254 yards and three scores entering this weekend.
Allen won the MVP Award last year after throwing for 3,731 yards with 28 touchdowns and six interceptions and rushing for 531 yards and five more scores. However, Cook had over 1,200 all-purpose yards last season, so there’s no denying he’s a crucial piece of this Bills’ offense.
