3 reasons why James Cook is in better form than Isiah Pacheco ahead of NFL Playoffs’ Divisional Round 

The Divisional Round of the 2024 NFL Playoffs is loaded with eight elite teams facing off in four matchups across two days. This stage of the postseason often puts many of the best overall players in the NFL in the spotlight, including the running backs that help fuel their teams' success.

Two of those to keep an eye on this week are James Cook and Isiah Pacheco, who have been on much different paths this season. Cook has emerged as one of the most prodcutive backs in the league this year, but is still flying a bit under the radar with the Buffalo Bills as the Divisional Round approaches.

Pacheco entered the year as one of the most hyped up backs around the league, but an injury forced to miss most of the year. He has made his return for the Kansas City Chiefs in time for the playoffs, so he is looking to be major factor for them again, as he was on their Super Bowl run last year.

All things considered, entering the Divisional Round, Cook has been in much better form than Pacheco recently. Here are some of the main reasons why.

James Cook has outshined Isiah Pacheco ahead of Divisional Round of 2024 NFL Playoffs

James Cook over Isiah Pacheco

#1 - Touchdown rate

James Cook ended the 2024 NFL season tied as the overall leader with 16 rushing touchdowns. He is also on a scorching hot streak in this category, totaling seven touchdowns across his past five games, including one last week in the Wild Card round against the Denver Broncos.

Isiah Pacheco has severely struggled to find the endzone recently, being held without one in each of his five games since returning from injury for the Kansas City Chiefs.

#2 - Total volume

James Cook has been averaging more than 15 touches per game across his past five games with Bills. This includes a season-high 23 touches last week, so he has cemented a prominent role in one of the best offenses in the NFL.

Isiah Pacheco has been averaging fewer than 11 touches per game across his past five games as he continues to share the Chiefs' backfield workload with Kareem Hunt ahead of the Divisional Round.

#3 - Yards per carry

James Cook has exceeded 100 rushing yards in three of his past five games and did so at better than five yards per carry in all three of them. Isiah Pacheco has severely struggled with his efficiency since returning from injury, rushing for fewer than three yards per carry in three of those five games.

He has also topped 50 scrimmage yards just once in that stretch entering the Divisional Round this week.