With Buffalo starting running back James Cook missing Monday night’s game against the New York Jets due to a toe injury, the Bills knew they’d need to lean on Ray Davis. The rookie delivered in a 23-20 win.
Davis angrily plowed through defenders, gashing Gang Green for 97 rush yards on 20 carries and catching three passes for 55 yards. The 152 scrimmage yards are the third-most in a game by a Bills rookie in the last 20 seasons (behind only first-rounders Marshawn Lynch and Sammy Watkins).
The fourth-round pick credited his teammates with having faith in his talent.
“Every day, those guys continue to push me,” Davis said, via the team’s official website. “Those guys tell me that I’m good at what I do, and just, you know, keep the faith and understand that they gave me the ball the first two times. It showed that they had a lot of trust and confidence in me. As a running back, that’s something that you love.”
One of the best stories in the 2024 NFL Draft, Davis grew up homeless and bounced around colleges — from Temple to Vanderbilt and finally to Kentucky, where he turned heads. The Bills selected him in the fourth round as a depth runner with upside.
With Cook missing his first career game due to injury, the Bills rode Davis, who took 20 of the 24 RB carries on Monday night. His violent running style fit Monday’s AFC East bout in which Buffalo came out in the first half with the clear intent to out-physical New York.
“That was something we really wanted to do. We stressed all week about going out there and taking it to them, you know, taking the physicality to them, understanding that maybe some guys may not want to tackle. So it’s about just going out there and bringing the physicality, lowering your pads, running behind your pads, and getting those tough, tough yards,” he said.
Davis’ performance added needed grit to the Bills offense which struggled the past couple of weeks. Josh Allen credited the rookie’s ability to churn out extra yards with keeping the offense on schedule.
“It was awesome to see. That’s why we drafted him,” he said. “He’s tough to bring down, and he runs the ball super hard, protects the ball. I’m very proud of him for stepping up.”
Davis’ battering style could convince the Bills to siphon off a few of Cooks’ carries when the starter returns healthy. A one-two backfield combo, combined with Allen’s running ability, would give Buffalo’s offense an identity it’s mostly lacked through six games.
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