Buffalo's Bay Day Opens Patriots Path to Top Spot - Best of Week 10 NFL Action
- Published:
- Comments: 3
The tenth week once more provided excitement, with a huge upset for the Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that attracts so many fans into the NFL
That result could have created opportunities for the New England Patriots to creep back into a top spot they used to occupy, with a schedule that gives them an edge over their eight and two rivals
Meanwhile in the NFC the Seahawks and Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a monster clash next week, while our top performer is pursuing milestones as well as the MVP award
The Breakdown - Just a Bad Day for the Bills?
Could it simply have been an emotional letdown from beating the Chiefs last week or something more? That's the question for the Bills to answer
The Bills had secured seven victories in a consecutive games against the Dolphins but were outperformed from the start as the Miami team emerged as 30-13 victors in an eye-opening outcome - and display
MVP Josh Allen only got the squad's initial first down in the third period and first points in the fourth - admittedly Miami had 10 days to prepare but it was nonetheless a significant failure produced by one of the league's best offenses
Tua Tagovailoa passed for two touchdowns but rusher Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 combined yards and two touchdowns
Containing the NFL's top running game was also key, with James Cook and company registering just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the year and just over half their 161.5 yard average
Then there were the three crucial turnovers, and the pair from Josh Allen specifically. An pass caught by defense in the scoring area resulting in a nine minute drive yielded no points, and his final quarter fumble that Miami converted to a touchdown just two plays
It was typical 'previous Bills teams' as they hurt themselves in the foot, getting into a deficit on defense and Allen trying to do too much to dig his team out of it - rather than the calm, disciplined, well-balanced Buffalo team we've witnessed this season
The Dolphins have served up 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 need an immediate bounce-back in a tough game against the Buccaneers in week 11 as the New England are sneaking into a comfortable advantage at the top of the American Football Conference East
In Focus - Patriots See Path to Surprise Top Seed
Regarding the Patriots, they're among three different 8-2 teams in the league, all American Football Conference teams, but are they the best?
One could find flaws in the Patriots, the Broncos and the Colts actually for feasting on the weaker opponents, with only five of their total twenty-four wins achieved against teams with a positive record - and one example was the Indianapolis beating the Broncos
The Broncos beat the reigning champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are masters of the fourth-quarter while Indianapolis can ride Taylor, but the Patriots including Sunday's win in Tampa to their primtime success in Buffalo appears to be a declaration
Their two defeats came in new head coach Mike Vrabel's first three games, with seven consecutive victories, similar to the Broncos, since then - but taking down Baker Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a bye to get ready was huge
Drake Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials continue to be discussed, and he certainly earns point for courage after taking some hard tackles in Tampa Bay but hanging in there to steer his team to victory
The defense is reliable and rookie rusher Henderson burst onto the scene on Sunday with 147 yards and two exhilerating scores of 55 and 69 yards - becoming just the fifth ball carrier to break 22mph this season on his first score
While you can argue who 'the best' is technically, the Patriots should be favourites to end with the best record thanks to their remaining opponents - which includes just one game against a winning team, although a significant contest against Buffalo
Traveling to Baltimore is also tough, but the Broncos have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to face two times, the Chargers (who might also challenge for first place but face the same problem) and additionally the Packers on the schedule
The Indianapolis also face the Kansas City, and have the Seattle, San Francisco and two matchups with the five and four Jaguars to contend with. There is a considerable distance to travel but the door is open for a shock number one position in the AFC
Coming Up - Los Angeles and Seattle Prepare for Week 11 Clash
Both squads with strong arguments to be better than all of the three 8-2 teams are National Football Conference West opponents the Seattle and Rams, who each put up forty points to reach 7-2 before next week's major meeting between the pair in LA
Both have secured four victories in a row, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Darnold playing at an high standard (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on game day) with top receivers, and defensive units allowing fewer than twenty points a game
Each could realistically be without a loss as well - especially the Los Angeles as their pair of losses occurred in extra time against the 49ers and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a game-winning field goal with the final play deflected and returned by the Philadelphia for a touchdown
Seattle were also defeated to the 49ers, with a late touchdown in week one, before falling to the final play of the contest against the Buccaneers - so they are truly among the top teams in the league
The next matchup on Sunday could be the most exciting of the year so far
Player of the Week - Taylor
Taylor might be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Germany - rushing for 244 rushing yards, registering three touchdowns and contributing another 42 {receiving yards