Buffalo's Bay Day Opens Patriots Path to AFC East Lead - Best of Week 10 NFL Action
- Published:
- Comments: 3
The tenth week again delivered, with a huge upset for the Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' saying that draws so many people into the National Football League
This outcome may have opened opportunities for the Patriots to creep back into a leading position they used to occupy, with a remaining games that provides them an edge over their 8-2 rivals
Meanwhile in the NFC the Seahawks and Rams had ideal outcomes to arrange a monster clash next week, while our player of the week is chasing records 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 something more? This remains the question for the Buffalo team to answer
The Bills had secured seven victories in a consecutive games against Miami but were second best from the start as the Dolphins emerged as 30-13 winners in an eye-opening result - and display
MVP Josh Allen only got the team's initial first down in the third quarter and first points in the final quarter - yes Miami had ten days to prepare but it was nonetheless a massive egg produced by one of the league's top offences
Tua Tagovailoa passed for two touchdowns but rusher Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 total yards and two scores
Bottling up the league's best running game was crucial too, with Cook and company registering just 86 yards, their fewest of the year and just over half their 161.5 yard season average
Additionally there were the three critical ball losses, and the pair from Josh Allen in particular. An interception in the end zone meaning a nine-minute drive yielded no points, and his final quarter fumble that the Dolphins turned into a touchdown just later
It was typical 'old Buffalo' as they shot themselves in the foot, getting into a hole on defensive side and Allen trying to overcompensate to rescue his squad from the situation - rather than the composed, controlled, balanced Buffalo team we've witnessed this season
Miami have served up a varied performances this season so the verdict is uncertain on whether this is the start of something, but for the Bills they'll require an immediate bounce-back in a tough game against Tampa Bay in week 11 as the New England are sneaking into a nice lead at the summit of the AFC East
Spotlight - Patriots Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed
Speaking of the New England, they're one of three different eight and two squads in the NFL, all American Football Conference teams, but are they the best?
One could pick holes in the Patriots, Denver and the Colts actually for feasting on the lesser sides, with just five of their combined 24 wins coming against teams with a positive record - and one example was the Colts beating the Broncos
Denver beat the reigning champion Eagles in Philly and are masters of the final quarter while Indianapolis can ride Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's victory in Tampa Bay to their primtime win in Buffalo appears to be a statement
Their two defeats occurred in recently appointed coach Mike Vrabel's first three games, with seven straight wins, just like the Broncos, from that point - but taking down Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a bye to prepare was significant
Maye's MVP claims won't go away, and he certainly earns point for courage after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa Bay but hanging in there to steer his team to success
The defense is reliable and first-year running back Henderson burst onto the scene on game day with 147 yards and two exhilerating scores of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - becoming just the fifth different runner to break 22mph this year on his first score
Although you can argue who 'the best' is statistically, the Pats should be favorites to finish with the best record thanks to their remaining opponents - which includes just a single matchup against a winning team, albeit a huge one against the Bills
Visiting Baltimore is challenging too, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to play twice, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also challenge for first place but face the identical challenge) and additionally the Green Bay on the fixture list
The Indianapolis also play the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two games with the five and four Jacksonville to contend with. There is a long way to travel but the opportunity is open for a shock number one position in the American Football Conference
Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Set for Week 11 Clash
Two teams with strong arguments to be superior to all of the three eight and two sides are National Football Conference West rivals the Seahawks and Los Angeles, who each scored 40 burgers to go to 7-2 before next week's major meeting between the pair in Los Angeles
They've both secured four victories in a row, have quarterbacks in Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold playing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had turnover issues on Sunday) with top receivers, and defenses giving up fewer than twenty points a game
Each could realistically be undefeated as too - especially the Rams as their pair of losses occurred in extra time against the 49ers and then that painful defeat in Philly when they had a game-winning kick with the last kick blocked and run back by the Eagles for a touchdown
The Seahawks were also defeated to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in the opening week, before falling to the last kick of the contest against the Buccaneers - so they are truly two of the top teams in the league
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the most exciting of the year to date
Top Performer - Taylor
Jonathan Taylor could be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Berlin - rushing for 244 rushing yards, scoring three scores and contributing an additional forty-two {receiving yards