Dalvin Cook throws shade at ex-Lions QB for misstating brother James' stats while campaigning for Josh Allen MVP

The Dallas Cowboys' running back, Dalvin Cook, called out analyst Dan Orlovsky for overlooking his brother James Cook's achievements while making a case for Josh Allen's MVP.

Orlovsky, a former Lions quarterback turned ESPN analyst, appeared on "First Take" to argue for Bills quarterback Josh Allen over Ravens' Lamar Jackson for MVP. On Monday, after Orlovsky's "First Take" segment aired, Dalvin responded to the analyst's claims with a tweet.

"This not from today right?" Dalvin said, highlighting Orlovsky's oversight of James Cook's 1,009-yard rushing season.

Orlovsky quickly acknowledged his error by retweeting the video snippet with a correction:

"Most Valuable Player *(cook has 1009)."

James reached this milestone on Sunday in Buffalo's final regular season against the Patriots. Bills coach Sean McDermott deliberately kept Cook in the game to chase two achievements: the yardage mark and O.J. Simpson's franchise record for rushing touchdowns.

Dalvin Cook reacts to James Cook's Pro Bowl snub

NFL: Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots (Image Source: Imagn)

The timing of Orlovsky's mistake proved particularly sensitive given James Cook's recent Pro Bowl snub. Despite leading the NFL with 16 rushing touchdowns—tied with Derrick Henry—James missed the Pro Bowl selection.

James responded on Friday when asked about the Pro Bowl exclusion, showcasing his frustration with the lack of recognition. His brother, Dalvin, offered support through social media, emphasizing achievements over accolades.

In making his MVP case for Allen, Orlovsky highlighted Buffalo's offensive prowess.

"The Buffalo Bills this year with Josh Allen as their starting quarterback averaged three points per drive. That's top five historically in the history of the NFL," Orlovsky said.

The analyst also emphasized Allen's efficiency.

"He's the first quarterback in the history of the league to have over 40 touchdowns accounted for, yet under eight turnovers and less than 20 sacks," he added.

However, James' contributions tell their own story. He scored touchdowns in four straight games heading into the playoffs. In the Patriots game, McDermott showed his commitment to Cook's milestone chase. The running back received four carries inside the Patriots' 15-yard line early on.

After a 20-minute break from carries, James returned in the third quarter. He punched in a one-yard touchdown that gave Buffalo its first lead at 16-14. This score tied Simpson's 1975 franchise record of 16 rushing touchdowns.

The situation highlights how individual achievements often get overshadowed in larger MVP narratives.