Orchard Park, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550/WBEN) - Buffalo Bills running back James Cook has been named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week following his performance in a Week 8 win over the Carolina Panthers.
Cook put up some historic production for the Bills this past Sunday in a 40-9 win at Bank of America Stadium over the Panthers. He ended up carrying the ball 19 times for a career-best 216 yards, which is the most yardage by a Bills running back since Hall-of-Famer O.J. Simpson in 1976.
The 26-year-old also accounted for two of Buffalo's five touchdowns, including a massive 64-yard run in the second quarter that blew the game wide-open in the Bills' favor. His other touchdown run came in the third quarter from 21 yards out to put Buffalo up by 30 points.
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So far this season, Cook is second in the NFL in rushing with 753 yards on 126 carries. He does lead the league, though, with 6.0 yards per-rushing attempt and 107.6 yards per-game. His seven rushing touchdowns are also currently fourth in the league among all running backs.
This is the first time this season Cook has been named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week, and the third time in his career he has earned such an honor. However, this is not the first time Cook has been honored by the NFL this season, as he was also named the AFC Offensive Player of the Month of September.
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This is also the second time a Bills player has earned the honor of AFC Offensive Player of the Week this season, joining quarterback Josh Allen after the reigning NFL MVP earned the honor following a Week 1 win over the Baltimore Ravens.