Week 12 of the NFL campaign starts with a bang, as two AFC playoff hopefuls go head-to-head on the big stage.
Thursday Night Football’s Bills vs. Texans bout kicks off at 8:15 p.m. ET on Prime Video. Despite Houston QB C.J. Stroud missing this contest, the clash still contains plenty of star power.
On Buffalo’s side, both QB Josh Allen and RB James Cook headline the action. The latter is certainly a player to keep an eye on.
Below, we’ll provide James Cook’s stats and pick for Thursday Night Football vs. the Texans. Use PrizePicks NFL to make your player picks for prime time.
James Cook Stats, Pick for Thursday Night Football
Below are some James Cook projections to monitor against Houston. PrizePicks also offers many other Bills vs. Texans Week 12 picks.
Bills RB James Cook Projection vs. Texans: 75.5 Rush Yards
- Cook averages 96.8 rushing yards per game, but he’s failed to live up to that mark lately. In his last two contests, he’s posted 53 and 48 yards, respectively.
- The star halfback’s 3.5 yards per carry in Weeks 10 and 11 is his worst in a two-game, in-season span since a 3.2-yard average in Weeks 17 and 18 of last year.
- The Texans have allowed fewer rushing yards to RBs (685) than all but two teams.
- No RB has rushed for over 75 yards against Houston in 2025. Five RBs inside the top 15 in yards failed to even reach the 70-yard threshold.
- Per rbsdm, the Texans’ defense yields the fourth-lowest rush EPA/play (-0.137) and the ninth-lowest success rate (38.5%).
- Cook thrives on yards before contact, averaging 1.2 per attempt (second for qualified rushers). NFL Pro ranks the Texans as having the sixth-lowest average allowance (0.97 yards) there.
- Houston gives up the second-fewest yards per touch to RBs (4.1 yards), via Sharp Football Analysis.
- In his career, Cook averages 3.62 yards per run against the AFC South, easily his worst versus any division. Next up is the AFC East at 4.49.
More James Cook Projections vs. Texans on Thursday Night Football
Cook has many other TNF projections for Bills vs. Texans to pick from, via PrizePicks.
- 93.5 Rush + Rec Yards
- 17.5 Rush Attempts
- 14.5 Receiving Yards
- 2.5 Receiving Targets
- 1.5 Receptions (Goblin)
- 0.5 Rush + Rec TDs
- 14.5 Yards on Longest Rush
- And More
Make Thursday Night Football Picks on PrizePicks
Under the bright lights, Buffalo and Houston figure to set up several James Cook picks for Week 12. Additionally, PrizePicks offers a multitude of other Bills vs. Texans projections. Joining the action is simple.
Just pick your players, predict More or Less for their projected stats, and win real-money rewards if you’re right.
Stay here with the Playbook for continued NFL analysis and picks all year long.
