Buffalo's Bay Day Gives New England Route to AFC East Lead - Highlights of NFL Week 10
- Published:
- Comments: 3
Week 10 once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' saying that attracts so many fans into the National Football League
This outcome may have opened opportunities for the Patriots to creep back into a leading position they formerly held, with a remaining games that provides them an edge over their 8-2 rivals
Over in the National Football Conference the Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had ideal outcomes to arrange a monster clash next week, while our top performer is pursuing milestones as well as the MVP award
The Breakdown - Simply an Off Day for the Bills?
Could it simply have been an emotional comedown from beating the Chiefs the previous week or a deeper issue? That's the question for the Bills to answer
The Buffalo squad had secured seven victories in a row against the Dolphins but were outperformed from the start as the Dolphins emerged as 30-13 winners in an eye-opening result - and performance
MVP Josh Allen only got the squad's initial first down in the third quarter and initial scoring in the final quarter - yes Miami had 10 days to prepare but it was still a significant failure laid by one of the league's best offenses
Dolphins quarterback Tua threw two touchdowns but rusher Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 combined yards and two scores
Containing the NFL's top rushing attack was also key, with Cook and company registering just 86 yards, their lowest of the year and slightly more than half their 161.5-yard season average
Then there were the three crucial ball losses, and the pair from Allen specifically. An interception in the end zone resulting in a nine minute possession yielded no points, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that the Dolphins turned into a touchdown just later
It was classic 'previous Bills teams' as they shot themselves in the foot, getting into a deficit on defense and Josh Allen trying to do too much to rescue his squad out of it - not the calm, disciplined, balanced Bills we've witnessed this season
Miami have demonstrated a varied performances this season so the jury's out on if this is the start of a trend, but for Buffalo they'll need an immediate bounce-back in a tough game against the Buccaneers in week 11 as the Patriots are quietly moving into a nice lead at the summit of the American Football Conference East
In Focus - New England Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed
Regarding the Patriots, they're among three different eight and two teams in the league, all American Football Conference teams, but are they the top team?
One could pick holes in New England, Denver and Indianapolis actually for dominating the weaker opponents, with only five of their total twenty-four victories coming against teams with a positive record - and one of those was the Indianapolis beating the Denver
Denver beat the champion Eagles in Philly and are masters of the final quarter while Indy can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots including Sunday's win in Tampa Bay to their primtime success in Orchard Park seems like a statement
Their two defeats occurred in recently appointed coach Mike Vrabel's first three contests, with seven straight wins, similar to Denver, from that point - but taking down Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a week off to get ready was huge
Drake Maye's MVP claims continue to be discussed, and he definitely deserves point for courage after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa Bay but hanging in there to guide his side to victory
The defense is solid and rookie rusher Henderson burst onto the scene on game day with 147 rushing yards and two exhilerating touchdowns of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - becoming just the fifth ball carrier to break 22mph this year on his initial touchdown
While you can argue who 'the top team' is technically, the Pats should be favourites to end with the best record due to their schedule - which includes just one game against a winning team, albeit a huge one against the Bills
Visiting Baltimore is also tough, but the Broncos have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Kansas City to face two times, the Chargers (who might also compete for top seed but encounter the identical challenge) and additionally the Green Bay on the schedule
The Colts also play the Kansas City, and have the Seattle, San Francisco and two games with the 5-4 Jaguars to contend with. There is a long way to travel but the opportunity is available for a shock number one position in the American Football Conference
Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Set for Next Week Showdown
Both squads with solid claims to be superior to all of the three 8-2 teams are NFC West rivals the Seahawks and Rams, who both put up 40 burgers to go to seven and two ahead of the upcoming major meeting between the pair in LA
Both have secured four victories in a consecutive games, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Sam Darnold playing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had turnover issues on Sunday) with excellent pass catchers, and defensive units allowing under 20 points a contest
Each could realistically be without a loss as well - especially the Rams as their two defeats came in overtime against the San Francisco and then that agonising loss in Philadelphia when they had a potentially winning field goal with the last kick deflected and run back by the Eagles for a touchdown
Seattle also lost to the 49ers, with a last-minute score in week one, before losing to the final play of the game against the Tampa Bay - so they are genuinely among the top teams in the NFL
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the best of the year to date
Player of the Week - Taylor
Jonathan Taylor could be on for a record season after his incredible display in Berlin - rushing for 244 rushing yards, scoring three touchdowns and adding another 42 {receiving yards