Slightly lost in the Bills’ unpredictability and Jonathan Taylor’s early MVP caliber start to the season, James Cook has lived up to every bit of the four year, $48,000,000 extension he signed during the offseason.

Through 12 games, he’s run for 1,228 yards on 5.3 yards per carry, adding 236 yards through the air. He’s on pace for 1,739 rushing yards and 334 receiving yards, and is threatening the 2,000 total yard threshold. It’s the single best Bills rushing season since O.J. Simpson, who of course is most known for his qualities as a running back.

The Bills have been all over the place, beating past playoff contenders one week and struggling against some of the league’s worst in others. But that quality – a top running back to rely on as the weather gets cold and they need to protect a lead, will be crucial as the Bills hunt their first Super Bowl victory.