Bills' Bay Day Opens Patriots Path to AFC East Lead - Highlights of Week 10 NFL Action
- Published:
- Comments: 3
The tenth week again delivered, with a huge upset for the Buffalo Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that attracts so many people into the National Football League
That result could have created opportunities for the Patriots to move back into a top spot they formerly held, with a schedule that gives them an edge over their 8-2 rivals
Over in the National Football Conference the Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a monster clash next week, while our top performer is chasing records 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 a deeper issue? That's the question for the Bills to address
The Bills had won seven in a row against the Dolphins but were outperformed from the beginning as the Dolphins ran out 30-13 victors in an surprising result - and display
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only got the squad's opening first down in the third quarter and initial scoring in the final quarter - yes Miami had 10 days to get ready but it was nonetheless a significant failure produced by one of the NFL's best offenses
Tua Tagovailoa passed for two scores but rusher Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 total yards and two touchdowns
Containing the league's best rushing attack was also key, with James Cook and teammates registering just 86 yards, their fewest of the season and just over fifty percent their 161.5 yard season average
Additionally there were the three crucial turnovers, and the pair from Josh Allen in particular. An interception in the end zone meaning a nine minute drive produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that Miami converted to seven points just two plays
It was classic 'previous Bills teams' as they hurt themselves in the foot, falling into a deficit on defensive side and Josh Allen trying to do too much to rescue his squad out of it - not the calm, controlled, well-balanced Buffalo team we've seen this year
Miami have served up a bit of everything this season so the jury's out on whether this is the beginning of something, but for the Bills 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
Spotlight - New England Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed
Speaking of the New England, they're one of three 8-2 squads in the league, all AFC sides, but could they be the best?
You can pick holes in New England, Denver and Indianapolis actually for feasting on the weaker opponents, with just five of their total 24 victories achieved against teams with a winning record - and one of those was the Indianapolis beating the Broncos
The Broncos defeated the champion Eagles in Philly and are masters of the fourth-quarter while Indy can rely on Taylor, but the Patriots including Sunday's win in Tampa Bay to their primtime success in Buffalo appears to be a declaration
Their pair of losses occurred in new head coach Vrabel's initial three contests, with seven consecutive victories, just like the Broncos, from that point - but defeating Mayfield after the Bucs had a week off to get ready was significant
Drake Maye's MVP claims won't go away, and he definitely earns credit for courage after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa but persevering to steer his side to victory
The defense is solid and rookie rusher Henderson burst onto the scene on Sunday with 147 rushing yards and two exciting touchdowns of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - establishing himself as just the fifth different ball carrier to exceed 22 miles per hour this season on his first score
While you can argue who 'the top team' is technically, the Patriots should be favourites to finish with the top record thanks to their schedule - which features just a single matchup against a successful opponent, albeit a significant contest against the Bills
Traveling to Baltimore is also tough, but the Broncos have it more difficult in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to face two times, the Los Angeles Chargers (who could also compete for top seed but face the same problem) and also the Green Bay on the fixture list
The Indianapolis also face the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two matchups with the five and four Jaguars to contend with. There is a considerable distance to go but the opportunity is available for a surprise top seed in the AFC
Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Set for Next Week Clash
Both squads with strong arguments to be better than all of the three different 8-2 sides are NFC West rivals the Seahawks and Rams, who each scored forty points to reach seven and two ahead of next week's major meeting between the two in Los Angeles
Both have secured four victories in a row, have quarterbacks in Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold performing at an high standard (although Darnold had turnover issues on game day) with top receivers, and defensive units allowing under 20 points a game
Each could realistically be undefeated as well - especially the Rams as their pair of losses came in extra time against the 49ers and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a potentially winning field goal with the final play deflected and returned by the Eagles for a touchdown
Seattle were also defeated to the 49ers, with a last-minute score in the opening week, before falling to the final play of the game against the Buccaneers - so they are genuinely two of the top teams in the NFL
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the most exciting of the year to date
Top Performer - Taylor
Taylor could be on for a historic year after his remarkable performance in Berlin - running for 244 yards, scoring three touchdowns and contributing an additional 42 {receiving yards