Buffalo's Bay Day Opens Patriots Route 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 demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that attracts so many fans into the National Football League
This outcome may have opened things up for the Patriots to move back into a top spot they used to occupy, with a remaining games that gives them an edge over their 8-2 competitors
Meanwhile in the NFC the Seattle Seahawks and Rams had perfect results to arrange a major confrontation in week 11, while our top performer is pursuing milestones as well as the Most Valuable Player award
Analysis - Just a Bad Day for Buffalo?
Could it simply have been an emotional letdown from beating the Chiefs last week or something more? This remains the question for the Bills to answer
The Bills had won seven in a row against the Dolphins but were second best from the start as the Miami team ran out 30-13 victors in an surprising outcome - and display
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the team's opening first down in the third quarter and initial scoring in the fourth - admittedly Miami had 10 days to get ready but it was still a significant failure produced by one of the NFL's best offenses
Tua Tagovailoa threw two touchdowns but running back Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 total yards and two touchdowns
Bottling up the NFL's top rushing attack was also key, with James Cook and company registering just 86 yards, their fewest of the year and slightly more than half their 161.5 yard average
Additionally there were the three critical ball losses, and the two from Allen in particular. An pass caught by defense in the scoring area resulting in a nine-minute drive produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that the Dolphins converted to a touchdown just later
It was classic 'old Buffalo' as they shot themselves in the foot, falling into a hole on defensive side and Josh Allen attempting to do too much to dig his team from the situation - rather than the calm, disciplined, balanced Bills we've seen this season
Miami have demonstrated a bit of everything this season so the verdict is uncertain on whether this is the start of a trend, but for the Bills they'll require an instant response in a difficult matchup against the Buccaneers next week as the Patriots are sneaking into a comfortable advantage at the top of the AFC East
In Focus - Patriots Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed
Regarding the Patriots, they're one of three different 8-2 squads in the league, all AFC teams, but are they the top team?
You can pick holes in New England, Denver and the Colts actually for feasting on the lesser sides, with just five of their combined 24 wins achieved against teams with a winning record - and one example was the Colts defeating the Broncos
The Broncos defeated the champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are masters of the fourth-quarter while Indianapolis can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the New England adding Sunday's win in Tampa to their primtime success in Orchard Park seems like a statement
Their pair of losses came in new head coach Mike Vrabel's initial three contests, with seven consecutive wins, just like the Broncos, since then - but defeating Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to get ready was huge
Drake Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials won't go away, and he certainly deserves credit for courage after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa but persevering to guide his team to victory
The defensive unit is reliable and rookie running back Henderson exploded on Sunday with 147 yards and two exciting scores of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - establishing himself as just the fifth different runner to break 22mph this season on his initial touchdown
Although you can argue who 'the top team' is technically, the Patriots should be favorites to end with the top record due to their remaining opponents - which features just a single matchup against a winning team, albeit a significant contest against the Bills
Traveling to the Ravens is also tough, but the Broncos have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to play twice, the Chargers (who could also compete for top seed but encounter the same problem) and also the Packers on the schedule
The Indianapolis also play the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two games with the five and four Jacksonville to contend with. There's a considerable distance to travel but the door is available for a surprise number one position in the AFC
Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Set for Next Week Showdown
Both squads with strong arguments to be better than all of the three different eight and two teams are NFC West rivals the Seattle and Rams, who both put up forty points to reach seven and two before next week's Hollywood blockbuster game between the two in LA
Both have won four in a consecutive games, have signal callers in Stafford and Sam Darnold playing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had turnover issues on game day) with top receivers, and defenses giving up under 20 points a game
Both could easily be without a loss as too - particularly the Los Angeles as their pair of losses came in extra time against the San Francisco and then that agonising loss in Philadelphia when they had a game-winning kick with the final play deflected and returned by the Eagles for a touchdown
Seattle also lost to San Francisco, with a last-minute score in the opening week, before losing to the last kick of the game against the Buccaneers - so they are genuinely two of the top teams in the NFL
The next matchup on Sunday could be the best of the year to date
Top Performer - Jonathan Taylor
Jonathan Taylor could be on for a historic year after his incredible display in Berlin - running for 244 yards, scoring three touchdowns and contributing another forty-two {receiving yards