Bills' Bay Day Opens New England Route to AFC East Lead - Highlights of NFL Week 10
- Published:
- Comments: 3
The tenth week again delivered, with a major surprise for the Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' saying that attracts so many fans into the NFL
That result may have opened opportunities for the New England Patriots to move back into a leading position they formerly held, with a remaining games that gives them an advantage over their 8-2 rivals
Meanwhile in the NFC the Seahawks and Rams had ideal outcomes to arrange a major confrontation in week 11, while our player of the week 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 defeating Kansas City the previous week or something more? That's the question for the Buffalo team to answer
The Bills had secured seven victories in a row against the Dolphins but were outperformed from the start as the Miami team emerged as 30-13 victors in an eye-opening result - and display
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the team's opening first down in the third quarter and initial scoring in the fourth - yes Miami had 10 days to get ready but it was nonetheless a significant failure laid by one of the NFL's best offenses
Dolphins quarterback Tua passed for two scores but running back Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 total yards and two touchdowns
Containing the league's best running game was crucial too, with Cook and teammates recording just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the year and just over fifty percent their 161.5-yard average
Then there were the three crucial ball losses, and the pair from Josh Allen in particular. An interception in the scoring area resulting in a nine minute possession produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that the Dolphins converted to seven points just two plays
It was typical 'old Buffalo' as they hurt themselves in the foot, falling into a hole on defense and Allen attempting to overcompensate to dig his team from the situation - rather than the composed, disciplined, well-balanced Buffalo team we've seen this year
The Dolphins have demonstrated a varied performances this year so the jury's out on whether this is the beginning 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 quietly moving into a nice lead at the summit of the AFC East
Spotlight - Patriots Identify Route to Unexpected First Place
Regarding the Patriots, they're one of three 8-2 squads in the league, all AFC sides, but are they the top team?
One could pick holes in the Patriots, the Broncos and the Colts actually for dominating the lesser sides, with just five of their total 24 victories achieved against opponents with a positive record - and one example was the Indianapolis defeating the Denver
Denver defeated the reigning champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the final quarter while Indy can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots including Sunday's victory in Tampa Bay to their prime time win in Buffalo seems like a declaration
Their two defeats occurred in recently appointed coach Vrabel's first three contests, with seven straight wins, just like Denver, from that point - but defeating Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a bye to get ready was significant
Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials continue to be discussed, and he certainly deserves point for bravery after taking some savage hits in Tampa but persevering to steer his side to victory
The defense is solid and first-year rusher Henderson exploded on game day with 147 rushing yards and two exciting scores of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - becoming just the fifth different runner to break 22 miles per hour this year on his first score
While you can argue who 'the top team' is technically, the Patriots should be favorites to end with the best record thanks to their schedule - which includes just one game against a winning team, albeit a significant contest against Buffalo
Traveling to Baltimore is challenging too, but the Broncos have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Kansas City to play twice, the Chargers (who could also challenge for first place but encounter the identical challenge) and additionally the Packers on the schedule
The Colts also play the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, San Francisco and two games with the five and four Jacksonville to face. There's a considerable distance to travel but the opportunity is available for a surprise number one position in the American Football Conference
Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Set for Next Week Clash
Both squads with strong arguments to be better than all of the three different eight and two teams are National Football Conference West opponents the Seahawks and Rams, who both put up forty points to reach seven and two ahead of the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster game between the pair in LA
Both have secured four victories in a row, have quarterbacks in Matthew Stafford and Darnold playing at an high standard (although Sam Darnold had turnover issues on game day) with excellent pass catchers, and defenses giving up under 20 points a game
Each could realistically be undefeated as too - particularly the Los Angeles as their two defeats came in overtime against the 49ers and then that painful defeat in Philly when they had a potentially winning kick with the last kick blocked and returned by the Philadelphia for a score
The Seahawks were also defeated to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in week one, before falling to the last kick of the game against the Tampa Bay - so they are truly two of the top teams in the NFL
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the best of the year so far
Player of the Week - Taylor
Jonathan Taylor might be on for a historic year after his incredible display in Berlin - rushing for 244 yards, scoring three scores and adding an additional forty-two {receiving yards