"I don't want that": Bills' James Cook makes feelings clear after being called 'underdog' to Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook shared his thoughts on how people perceive him after a terrific 2024 NFL season. After a breakout season in 2023, carrying the ball 237 times for 1,122 yards and two touchdowns, Cook was more effective in 2024, rushing 207 times for 1,009 yards and 16 touchdowns.

After taking the league by storm, Cook isn't still considered part of the elite in his position, but he's not losing sleep over that. On Friday's episode of "Up & Adams," Kay Adams asked how he feels about not being placed at the same level as Saquon Barkley or Derrick Henry.

Cook said:

"Just continue to do what I'm doing. You know, just keep continue to play great football, leaning on my teammates and just doing all the little things right to put myself out there. I honestly don't like that though. I like to be the underdog and to show people like what I really am so they can have it. I don't want that."

Playing alongside another remarkable rusher, Josh Allen, may hurt perceptions of Cook, but he is confident in his abilities.

The Bills were expected to be worse than last season after losing some pieces on offense, but they showed you can't count them out. Now they are one win away from playing in the Super Bowl.

That said, Cook is only 25 and is a couple of years away from entering his prime. Considering that Barkley and Henry are playing well even after 28 and 31, respectively, Cook will have time to dominate the league.

Is James Cook playing against the Kansas City Chiefs?

After a rather discreet performance against the Baltimore Ravens (17 carries for 67 yards) in the AFC divisional matchup, James Cook should be ready to bounce back against the Kansas City Chiefs.

He knows this is a major opportunity to finally beat a team that has sent them home multiple times in the past five years or so and advance to the Super Bowl.

Cook is active for this game, as he's not dealing with any injury. The running back will be key to beating Kansas City, but he needs to put on better numbers than against the Ravens.