Buffalo's Bay Day Opens Patriots Path to AFC East Lead - Highlights of NFL Week 10
- Published:
- Comments: 3
Week 10 again delivered, with a huge upset for the Buffalo Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that draws so many fans into the NFL
This outcome could have created things up for the Patriots to move back into a top spot they used to occupy, with a schedule that gives them an edge over their 8-2 competitors
Over in the National Football Conference the Seattle Seahawks and Rams had perfect results to arrange a monster clash in week 11, while our top performer is pursuing milestones as well as the MVP award
The Breakdown - Just a Bad Day for Buffalo?
Was it just an emotional letdown from beating the Chiefs the previous week or a deeper issue? This remains the question for the Bills to address
The Bills had secured seven victories in a consecutive games against Miami but were outperformed from the beginning as the Dolphins emerged as 30-13 winners in an eye-opening result - and performance
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the team's opening first down in the third period and initial scoring in the final quarter - admittedly the Dolphins had 10 days to prepare but it was nonetheless a significant failure produced by one of the league's best offenses
Dolphins quarterback Tua threw two touchdowns but rusher De'Von 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 registering just eighty-six yards, their fewest of the season and just over fifty percent their 161.5-yard average
Additionally there were the three critical turnovers, and the two from Allen specifically. An pass caught by defense in the end zone meaning a nine minute possession yielded no points, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that Miami converted to seven points just two plays
It was typical 'previous Bills teams' as they shot themselves in the foot, getting into a deficit on defense and Josh Allen attempting to do too much to dig his team from the situation - rather than the calm, controlled, balanced Bills we've witnessed this year
Miami have served up a varied performances this season so the jury's out on whether this is the beginning of something, but for the Bills they'll require an instant response in a tough game against Tampa Bay in week 11 as the Patriots are quietly moving into a nice lead at the summit of the AFC East
Spotlight - New England See Path to Surprise Top Seed
Regarding the New England, they're one of three 8-2 squads in the league, all American Football Conference teams, but could they be the top team?
One could find flaws in the Patriots, the Broncos and Indianapolis actually for dominating the weaker opponents, with just five of their total 24 wins coming against opponents with a winning record - and one example was the Colts defeating the Broncos
Denver beat the reigning champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the final quarter while Indy can ride Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots including Sunday's win in Tampa to their prime time success in Buffalo appears to be a statement
Their two defeats occurred in recently appointed coach Vrabel's first three contests, with seven straight wins, similar to Denver, from that point - but taking down Mayfield after the Bucs had a week off to get ready was significant
Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials won't go away, and he certainly deserves credit for bravery after taking some hard tackles in Tampa Bay but persevering to guide his side to success
The defensive unit is reliable and first-year rusher Henderson exploded on Sunday with 147 rushing yards and two exhilerating touchdowns of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - becoming just the fifth ball carrier to exceed 22 miles per hour this season on his initial touchdown
Although you can argue who 'the top team' is statistically, the Pats should be favorites to end with the top record due to their schedule - which includes just one game against a successful opponent, although a significant contest against the Bills
Traveling to the Ravens is challenging too, but Denver have it more difficult in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to face two times, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also compete for first place but face the same problem) and also the Green Bay on the schedule
The Indianapolis also play the Kansas City, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two games with the five and four Jacksonville to contend with. There's a considerable distance to go but the door is available for a shock number one position in the American Football Conference
Next Week - Los Angeles and Seattle Set for Week 11 Showdown
Both squads with solid claims to be better than all of the three 8-2 sides are NFC West rivals the Seahawks and Los Angeles, who both scored forty points to go to 7-2 before next week's Hollywood blockbuster meeting between the two in Los Angeles
They've both secured four victories in a row, have quarterbacks in Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold performing at an high standard (although Darnold had ball security problems on game day) with top receivers, and defenses giving up under 20 points a contest
Each could easily be undefeated as well - especially the Los Angeles as their pair of losses occurred in extra time against the San Francisco and then that painful defeat in Philly when they had a game-winning kick with the last kick deflected and run back by the Philadelphia for a touchdown
The Seahawks also lost to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in week one, before falling to the final play of the contest against the Tampa Bay - so they are truly two of the top teams in the NFL
The next matchup on Sunday could be the most exciting of the year so far
Top Performer - Taylor
Taylor might be on for a historic year after his remarkable performance in Berlin - running for 244 rushing yards, scoring three scores and adding an additional forty-two {receiving yards