In a stunning upset, the Buffalo Bills dominated the Dallas Cowboys with a strong ground game, securing a 31-10 victory and ending the Cowboys' five-game winning streak. The Bills' offense, led by quarterback Josh Allen, took a backseat to running back James Cook, who had a career-best performance with 179 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Allen expressed his satisfaction with the win, stating that he felt like the kid who didn't do much in a class project but still received an A grade.

The matchup between two of the NFL's top-scoring quarterbacks, Allen and Dak Prescott, turned into a Bills stampede as Buffalo's rushing attack overwhelmed the Cowboys' defense. Cook, the younger brother of New York Jets running back Dalvin Cook, credited his offensive line for opening up holes and allowing him to find his rhythm.

With this win, the Bills (8-6) gained ground in the AFC playoff race, moving one game ahead of teams like Denver and Pittsburgh. On the other hand, the Cowboys (10-4) clinched their third straight playoff berth before the game even started, thanks to losses by Green Bay and Atlanta. However, the Cowboys had a disappointing performance, falling behind the NFC-best San Francisco 49ers.

Buffalo's rushing dominance was evident as they recorded 266 yards on the ground, held the ball for 10 minutes longer than Dallas, and had 28 first downs compared to the Cowboys' 14. The top-scoring offense in the league was limited to just a field goal until the final minutes of the game. Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy acknowledged the team's struggles on the road, emphasizing the need to address the gap between their home and away performances.

The Bills' injury-depleted defense stepped up, sacking Prescott three times and limiting him to 134 passing yards with one interception. The Cowboys' offense, which had scored over 40 points five times this season, only managed eight first downs before their final drive. The Bills' ability to control the clock and keep the ball away from the Cowboys played a significant role in their victory.

Buffalo's opening drive set the tone, lasting 12 plays and resulting in a two-yard touchdown run by Latavius Murray. Cook's 18-yard touchdown catch on their third drive extended the Bills' lead to 14-0. The game was essentially sealed when the Bills' opening drive of the third quarter consumed 8 minutes and 22 seconds, ending with Tyler Bass kicking a 23-yard field goal to give Buffalo a commanding 24-3 advantage.

The Bills' rushing attack was historic, with their 20 first downs on the ground tying for the second-most in team history. Cook's performance was particularly noteworthy, as his rushing total was the highest by a Bills player since 2009.

The Bills, who are aiming for their fifth straight playoff berth and still in contention for a fourth consecutive AFC East title, view this victory as a significant step forward. Center Mitch Morse described the game as "all systems go" and acknowledged that they still have an uphill battle ahead.

Next week, the Cowboys will face the Miami Dolphins on the road, while the Bills will take on the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday night. The Bills will look to carry their momentum forward, while the Cowboys will seek to bounce back from this unexpected loss.