James Cook sparks Bills' frenzy with 3 TDs against Miami before halftime - "Dolphins defense is on fraud watch"

James Cook was simply unstoppable in the first half of the Buffalo Bills' visit to the Miami Dolphins on Thursday. He carried the ball five times for 60 yards and scored three touchdowns (two rushing and one receiving) – the apex being a 49-yarder – helping the defending AFC East rulers establish a 24-10 lead.

Such dominance in a supposedly heated matchup between intradivisional rivals left fans surprised and intrigued:

Here are some more reactions from fans on X/Twitter:

"COOK BREAKOUT SEASON," one fan predicted.

"Dolphins just handing them the game. New WRs can't run the right route or look back for the ball. Defense completely blows it on the last two drives. Nothing changes," one fan lamented.

"Whoever has James Cook in Fantasy is eating some fish rn," another fan said.

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James Cook looking to build on 2023 breakout year

The Bills have had their fair share of legendary running backs. The late O.J. Simpson, Thurman Thomas and LeSean McCoy – all of them helped the team in one way or another.

Could James Cook be the newest member of that group?

Drafted No. 63 overall in 2022 out of Georgia, he saw limited action as a rookie. But in 2023, after Devin Singletary left for the Houston Texans, he was promoted to starter and broke out, hitting 1,000 rushing yards en route to his first Pro Bowl. And his role within the Bills's offense has only grown after the departures of wide receivers Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis.

Speaking during preseason camp last month, Cook said:

"I got my goals in my head that I wanna achieve and accomplish. So just as long as I got that box checked, checking the boxes off, I'll be alright.

"I will say moreso, like, lead, just show, just kinda encourage them, always be there for them. That's like showing forms of leadership; it ain't also gotta be just more like yelling, just talking, just by seeing what they see, what you can do in a leadership role... Just keep talking to them and give them that motivation and encouragement," he added.

The Bills seem on their way to go 2-0 for the season at the Dolphins' expense at Hard Rock Stadium.