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The AFC Championship showdown between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills was a highly anticipated rematch amid an exciting rivalry between two elite quarterbacks. The game certainly did not disappoint, as a back-and-forth battle tilted in favour of the Chiefs, who escaped with a 32-29 win and their third consecutive AFC title. Many storylines have flooded the media since then, ranging from controversial calls to the stardom of Patrick Mahomes, but there was a lack of opportunity given to Bills’ running back James Cook when it mattered most and it has failed to make any headlines; but here’s why it should:

James Cook Made the Most of Limited Opportunities

A casual fan doing a postgame box score breakdown would likely find nothing wrong with Cook’s performance. 85 yards rushing, a couple receptions, and two TDs is certainly not the kind of game to be disappointed about. There is no doubt Cook had a great performance, but in a different world where Cook simply has his hands on the ball more often, the Bills win that game 10 out of 10 times. Keep in mind that Cook averaged six and a half yards on the ground with just 13 carries against a stout Chiefs run defence led by their elite defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.

An RB1 Without the Workload

Throughout the season Cook averaged around 13 carries per game, a relatively low number when comparing him to other elite runningbacks. This is likely due to the emergence of Ty Johnson, a sixth-round pick out of Maryland who recorded 5.3 yards per carry this season. In the AFC championship game Johnson had six carries, not a significant amount, but when combined with the three carries given to third-string RB Ray Davis, James Cook’s workload was significantly diminished.

Missing When It Mattered Most

A tight game like this can usually be broken down into just two or three plays that fuel a momentum swing. In a game decided by just three points, the Bills were stopped on multiple two-point conversations and were held short on fourth down twice. Among many things, Josh Allen has always been known for his ability to make plays with his legs, especially on make-or-break plays where the difference between success and failure is just a few yards.

The decision by offensive coordinator Joe Brady to repeatedly use the Bills’ version of a “tush push” in high-leverage, short-yardage situations seemed to be a smart decision given how well Allen was able to run the play during the regular season. Unfortunately for the Bills, the Chiefs’ defensive line was able to make key stops on this play multiple times, robbing the Bills of points and putting the ball back into the hands of Mahomes. The Chiefs consistently standing tall against the Allen push has fans wondering if a handoff to Cook would have been more effective.

Was Cook Overlooked?

Throughout the entire season, Cook saw zero carries on fourth down, almost completely due to the use of Allen in these situations. However, on third down Cook saw great success, averaging 7.2 yards per carry, much better than his averages on first and second (5.4 and 3.5, respectively). This is a possible indicator of higher-level performance when it matters most for the Bills running back.

While much of the focus after the Bills’ loss to the Chiefs has centred on officiating and Mahomes’ brilliance, the lack of usage for Cook is a storyline that deserves more food for thought. Cook’s efficiency and knack for performing in clutch moments were assets the Bills failed to make the most of, and possibly costing them a chance at the Super Bowl. In a game filled with short yardage and momentum-changing plays, the ball should have been in the hands of Cook much more often than it was.

By Julian Brooke

Highschool student with a passion for everything Jays, Raptors, Leafs, and Chiefs who just wants to relive 2015-2016.

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