Bills' Bay Day Gives Patriots Route to AFC East Lead - Best 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' mantra that draws so many people into the National Football League
This outcome may have opened opportunities for the Patriots to move back into a top spot they formerly held, with a remaining games that gives them an edge over their 8-2 rivals
Meanwhile in the National Football Conference the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had perfect results to set up a major confrontation next week, while our top performer is pursuing milestones as well as the Most Valuable Player award
The Breakdown - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?
Could it simply have been an emotional letdown from beating the Chiefs the previous week or a deeper issue? That's the question for the Bills to address
The Bills had won seven in a row against Miami but were second best from the beginning as the Miami team ran out 30-13 victors in an eye-opening result - and display
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the squad's opening first down in the third period and first points in the fourth - admittedly Miami had 10 days to get ready but it was still a significant failure produced by one of the league's top offences
Tua Tagovailoa passed for two touchdowns but rusher Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 total yards and two scores
Bottling up the league's best rushing attack was crucial too, with James Cook and company recording just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the season and slightly more than fifty percent their 161.5 yard average
Then there were the three crucial ball losses, and the two from Josh Allen in particular. An interception in the scoring area meaning a nine minute drive yielded no points, and his fourth-quarter fumble that the Dolphins converted to a touchdown just two plays
It was classic 'old Buffalo' as they shot themselves in the foot, getting into a deficit on defensive side and Josh Allen trying to do too much to dig his team out of it - not the calm, disciplined, balanced Bills we've witnessed this year
The Dolphins have demonstrated a varied performances this year so the jury's out on if this is the beginning 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 - New England See Path to Surprise Top Seed
Regarding the New England, they're among three 8-2 squads in the NFL, all American Football Conference teams, but could they be the top team?
One could find flaws in the Patriots, Denver and Indianapolis actually for dominating the weaker opponents, with only five of their total twenty-four victories achieved against teams with a winning record - and one of those was the Indianapolis beating the Denver
Denver beat the champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are masters of the final quarter while Indianapolis can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the New England adding Sunday's victory in Tampa Bay to their primtime success in Buffalo appears to be a statement
Their two defeats occurred in recently appointed coach Mike Vrabel's first three games, with seven consecutive wins, just like the Broncos, since then - but taking down Mayfield after the Bucs had a week off to get ready was significant
Drake Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials continue to be discussed, and he definitely deserves point for bravery after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa Bay but hanging in there to steer his team to victory
The defense is solid and first-year rusher Henderson burst onto the scene on Sunday with 147 yards and two exhilerating scores of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - establishing himself as just the fifth different ball carrier to break 22mph this season on his initial touchdown
While you can debate who 'the top team' is technically, the Pats should be favourites to finish with the top record due to their remaining opponents - which includes just one game against a winning team, albeit a significant contest against Buffalo
Visiting Baltimore is challenging too, but the Broncos have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to play twice, the Los Angeles Chargers (who could also challenge for top seed but encounter the same problem) and additionally the Packers on the fixture list
The Colts also face the Kansas City, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two matchups with the five and four Jaguars to face. There's a considerable distance to travel but the opportunity is open for a shock number one position in the AFC
Coming Up - Rams & Seahawks Prepare for Next Week Showdown
Both squads with strong arguments to be superior to all of the three different 8-2 teams are NFC West opponents the Seattle and Rams, who each scored 40 burgers to go to 7-2 before the upcoming major meeting between the pair in Los Angeles
They've both secured four victories in a row, have signal callers in Stafford and Darnold performing at an elite level (although Darnold had turnover issues on Sunday) with excellent pass catchers, and defenses giving up under 20 points a game
Each could easily be without a loss as well - particularly the Rams as their pair of losses came in overtime against the 49ers and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a game-winning field goal with the final play blocked and run back by the Eagles for a score
Seattle were also defeated 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're genuinely two of the top teams in the league
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the best of the year so far
Top Performer - Jonathan Taylor
Jonathan Taylor could be on for a historic year after his incredible display in Germany - rushing for 244 yards, scoring three touchdowns and adding an additional forty-two {receiving yards