Buffalo's Bay Day Opens Patriots Path to AFC East Lead - Highlights of NFL Week 10
- Published:
- Comments: 3
The tenth week again delivered, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills proving the 'any given Sunday' saying that attracts so many fans into the National Football League
That result could have created things up for the New England Patriots to move back into a leading position they formerly held, with a schedule that provides them an advantage over their 8-2 rivals
Meanwhile in the National Football Conference the Seattle Seahawks and Rams had perfect results to set up a monster clash in week 11, while our player of the week is pursuing milestones as well as the MVP award
Analysis - Just a Bad Day for the Bills?
Was it just an emotional comedown from beating the Chiefs the previous week or a deeper issue? This remains the question for the Bills to address
The Bills had won seven in a consecutive games against the Dolphins but were outperformed from the start as the Miami team emerged as 30-13 winners in an eye-opening outcome - and display
MVP Josh Allen only got the team's opening first down in the third quarter and initial scoring in the final quarter - yes the Dolphins had 10 days to get ready but it was still a significant failure produced by one of the league's best offenses
Tua Tagovailoa threw two touchdowns but running back Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 combined yards and two touchdowns
Containing the league's best running game was also key, with Cook and teammates 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 critical ball losses, and the pair from Allen in particular. An interception in the scoring area meaning a nine minute possession yielded no points, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that the Dolphins turned into a touchdown just two plays
It was typical 'old Buffalo' as they shot themselves in the foot, falling into a deficit on defense and Allen trying to overcompensate to rescue his squad out of it - rather than the composed, disciplined, balanced Buffalo team we've witnessed this year
The Dolphins have served up a bit of everything this season so the jury's out on whether this is the start of something, but for the Bills they'll need an immediate bounce-back in a tough game against Tampa Bay next week as the New England are sneaking into a nice lead at the top of the AFC East
In Focus - Patriots See Path to Unexpected First Place
Speaking of the Patriots, they're among three different eight and two squads in the NFL, all American Football Conference teams, but could they be the top team?
You can find flaws in New England, Denver and the Colts really for feasting on the lesser sides, with only five of their total twenty-four wins coming against opponents with a winning record - and one of those was the Indianapolis defeating the Denver
Denver defeated the champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are masters of the final quarter while Indianapolis can ride Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's win in Tampa Bay to their primtime success in Orchard Park seems like a declaration
Their pair of losses came in new head coach Vrabel's initial three contests, with seven straight victories, just like Denver, since then - but taking down Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a week off to prepare was huge
Drake Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials won't go away, and he certainly deserves point for bravery after taking some savage hits in Tampa Bay but persevering to guide his side to success
The defensive unit is solid and rookie rusher TreVeyon Henderson burst onto the scene on Sunday with 147 yards and two exciting touchdowns of 55 and 69 yards - becoming just the fifth different ball carrier to break 22mph this year on his initial touchdown
While you can debate who 'the top team' is technically, the Pats should be favourites to end with the top record due to their schedule - which includes just one game against a winning team, albeit a significant contest against the Bills
Visiting Baltimore is challenging too, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Kansas City to face two times, the Chargers (who might also compete for first place but face the identical challenge) and additionally the Packers on the fixture list
The Indianapolis also face the Chiefs, and have the Seahawks, San Francisco and two matchups with the five and four Jaguars to contend with. There's a considerable distance to go but the opportunity is available for a surprise number one position in the AFC
Coming Up - Rams & Seahawks Set for Next Week Clash
Both squads with strong arguments to be superior to all of the three eight and two teams are National Football Conference West opponents the Seahawks and Los Angeles, who each put up 40 burgers to go to seven and two ahead of the upcoming major game between the pair in Los Angeles
Both have won four in a row, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Darnold playing at an high standard (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on Sunday) with top receivers, and defensive units giving up under 20 points a contest
Both could realistically be undefeated as well - particularly the Rams as their pair of losses came in overtime against the San Francisco and then that painful defeat in Philadelphia when they had a game-winning field goal with the final play deflected and run back by the Eagles for a score
Seattle were also defeated to the 49ers, with a late touchdown in the opening week, before losing to the final play of the game against the Buccaneers - so they're genuinely two of the best sides in the NFL
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the best of the season so far
Top Performer - Jonathan Taylor
Taylor could be on for a historic year after his incredible display in Germany - running for 244 yards, registering three touchdowns and adding an additional 42 {receiving yards