Bills rookie Ray Davis runs over the Jets as Buffalo sprints to the AFC East lead

With Buffalo running back James Cook missing Monday night's game against the New York Jets with a toe injury, the Bills knew they had to rely on Ray Davis. The rookie delivered a 23:20 win.

Davis plowed furiously through defenders, beating 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 trusting him in his talent.

“These guys keep pushing me every day,” Davis said on the team’s official website. “These guys tell me I'm good at what I do and just keep the faith and understand that they gave me the ball the first two times. That showed that they had a lot of trust in me.” As a running back, it’s something 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 made a splash. 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 relied on Davis, who caught 20 of 24 RB carries on Monday night. His violent running style suited Monday's AFC East battle, where Buffalo entered the first half with the clear intent of outscoring New York.

“It was something we really wanted to do. We've been stressing all week about going out there and showing them, you know, getting them the physicality and understanding that some guys might 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 hard, hard yards,” he said.

Davis' performance gave the Bills' offense, which has struggled in recent weeks, some needed courage. Josh Allen praised the rookie's ability to gain extra yards for keeping the offense on schedule.

“It was great to see. That’s why we chose him,” he said. “He's hard to beat and he runs the ball super hard and protects the ball. I'm very proud of him for putting in the effort he did.”

Davis' hitting style could convince the Bills to take a few of Cooks' carries if the starter returns healthy. A one-two punch in the backfield, combined with Allen's running ability, would give Buffalo's offense an identity that it has lacked for most of the last six games.