Bills' Disappointing Performance Gives Patriots Path to AFC East Lead - Best of Week 10 NFL Action
- Published:
- Comments: 3
Week 10 once more provided excitement, with a huge upset for the Buffalo Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' saying that attracts so many people into the NFL
That result may have opened things up for the Patriots to creep back into a top spot they formerly held, with a remaining games that gives them an advantage over their 8-2 rivals
Meanwhile in the NFC the Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a major confrontation in week 11, while our top performer is pursuing milestones as well as the Most Valuable Player award
The Breakdown - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?
Was it just an emotional letdown from beating the Chiefs the previous week or a deeper issue? That's the question for the Bills to address
The Buffalo squad had secured seven victories in a row against the Dolphins but were second best from the start as the Miami team ran out 30-13 winners in an surprising result - and display
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only got the team's opening first down in the third period and first points in the final quarter - yes the Dolphins had ten days to get ready but it was still a massive egg produced by one of the NFL's best offenses
Tua Tagovailoa threw two scores but rusher Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 combined yards and two scores
Containing the NFL's top rushing attack was crucial too, with Cook and company registering just 86 yards, their lowest of the year and just over fifty percent their 161.5 yard season average
Additionally there were the three crucial turnovers, and the two from Josh Allen in particular. An interception in the scoring area resulting in a nine-minute drive produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that Miami turned into seven points just two plays
It was typical 'old Buffalo' as they shot themselves in the foot, falling into a deficit on defense and Josh Allen trying to do too much to rescue his squad from the situation - rather than the calm, disciplined, well-balanced Buffalo team we've witnessed this year
The Dolphins have demonstrated a bit of everything this season so the verdict is uncertain on whether this is the start of a trend, but for Buffalo they'll require an instant response in a tough game against the Buccaneers in week 11 as the Patriots are sneaking into a nice lead at the top of the AFC East
In Focus - New England Identify Route to Unexpected First Place
Regarding the Patriots, they're among three eight and two squads in the league, all American Football Conference teams, but could they be the best?
You can pick holes in New England, the Broncos and Indianapolis actually for feasting on the lesser sides, with just five of their total 24 wins coming against opponents with a winning record - and one example was the Indianapolis defeating the Denver
The Broncos defeated the reigning champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are masters of the fourth-quarter while Indy can rely on Taylor, but the New England adding Sunday's victory in Tampa Bay to their prime time success in Buffalo seems like a declaration
Their two defeats came in new head coach Mike Vrabel's first three contests, with seven consecutive victories, similar to Denver, since then - but taking down Mayfield after the Bucs had a week off to prepare was huge
Maye's MVP claims won't go away, and he definitely earns point for bravery after taking some savage hits in Tampa Bay but persevering to steer his team to success
The defense is reliable and first-year running back TreVeyon Henderson burst onto the scene on game day with 147 rushing yards and two exciting touchdowns of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - establishing himself as just the fifth runner to break 22 miles per hour this year on his initial touchdown
Although you can debate who 'the top team' is statistically, the Pats should be favourites to end with the top record due to their schedule - which includes just a single matchup against a winning team, although a huge one against Buffalo
Traveling to Baltimore is challenging too, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Kansas City to face two times, the Los Angeles Chargers (who could also compete for first place but face the identical challenge) and also the Packers on the schedule
The Colts also play the Kansas City, and have the Seattle, San Francisco and two matchups with the five and four Jaguars to contend with. There's a considerable distance to travel but the opportunity is available for a surprise number one position in the AFC
Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Set for Next Week Showdown
Two teams with solid claims to be superior to all of the three different 8-2 sides are National Football Conference West rivals the Seahawks and Rams, who each put up 40 burgers to reach seven and two before the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster meeting between the two in LA
They've both won four in a consecutive games, have quarterbacks in Matthew Stafford and Darnold playing at an elite level (although Darnold had turnover issues on Sunday) with excellent pass catchers, and defensive units giving up fewer than twenty points a game
Both could easily be undefeated as too - especially the Rams as their two defeats occurred in extra time against the San Francisco and then that agonising loss in Philadelphia when they had a potentially winning kick with the last kick blocked and run back by the Eagles for a score
The Seahawks also lost to the 49ers, with a last-minute score in the opening week, before falling to the final play of the contest against the Tampa Bay - so they are genuinely among the best sides in the league
The next matchup on Sunday could be the most exciting of the year so far
Player of the Week - Jonathan Taylor
Taylor could be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Berlin - running for 244 rushing yards, registering three touchdowns and contributing an additional forty-two {receiving yards