Bills' Bay Day Opens New England Path to AFC East Lead - Highlights of NFL Week 10
- Published:
- Comments: 3
Week 10 once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Bills demonstrating the 'any given Sunday' mantra that draws so many fans into the NFL
This outcome could have created opportunities for the Patriots to creep back into a leading position they formerly held, with a schedule that gives them an advantage over their 8-2 rivals
Meanwhile in the National Football Conference the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had ideal outcomes to arrange a monster clash in week 11, while our player of the week is chasing records as well as the MVP award
Analysis - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?
Could it simply have been an emotional letdown from beating the Chiefs the previous week or a deeper issue? That's 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 ran out 30-13 victors in an surprising outcome - and performance
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the team's initial first down in the third period and first points in the fourth - admittedly the Dolphins had 10 days to prepare but it was nonetheless a massive egg produced by one of the NFL's top offences
Tua Tagovailoa passed for two scores but running back Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 total yards and two scores
Bottling up the NFL's top running game was crucial too, with James Cook and teammates recording just 86 yards, their fewest of the year and slightly more than half their 161.5 yard season average
Then there were the three crucial ball losses, and the two from Josh Allen in particular. An interception in the scoring area resulting in a nine minute possession produced nothing, and his final quarter fumble that Miami turned into seven points just later
It was typical 'previous Bills teams' as they shot themselves in the foot, falling into a hole on defense and Allen trying to do too much to dig his team out of it - rather than the calm, disciplined, balanced Buffalo team we've seen this season
The Dolphins have served up 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 instant response in a difficult matchup against the Buccaneers in week 11 as the Patriots are quietly moving into a comfortable advantage at the top of the AFC East
In Focus - Patriots Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed
Regarding the New England, they're one of three 8-2 squads in the league, all AFC sides, but could they be the best?
One could find flaws in the Patriots, Denver and Indianapolis actually for dominating the lesser sides, with only five of their total twenty-four wins coming against teams with a winning record - and one example was the Indianapolis defeating the Denver
The Broncos beat the champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are masters of the final quarter while Indianapolis can ride Jonathan Taylor, but the New England adding Sunday's victory in Tampa to their prime time success in Buffalo seems like a statement
Their two defeats occurred in recently appointed coach Vrabel's initial three games, with seven consecutive wins, just like Denver, from that point - but defeating Baker Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a week off to get ready was significant
Drake Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials continue to be discussed, and he definitely earns credit for courage after taking some hard tackles in Tampa but persevering to steer his team to victory
The defensive unit is solid and first-year running back TreVeyon Henderson exploded on game day with 147 yards and two exciting touchdowns of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - establishing himself as just the fifth runner to break 22mph this season on his initial touchdown
Although you can debate who 'the best' is technically, the Pats should be favorites to end 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
Visiting the Ravens is also tough, but Denver have it more difficult in the AFC West 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 Packers on the fixture list
The Colts also face the Kansas City, and have the Seahawks, San Francisco and two matchups with the five and four Jaguars to contend with. There's a considerable distance to go but the opportunity is available for a surprise number one position in the AFC
Coming Up - Rams & Seahawks Prepare for Week 11 Clash
Both squads with strong arguments to be better than all of the three different eight and two teams are NFC West rivals the Seattle and Rams, who each scored forty points to go to seven and two ahead of next week's Hollywood blockbuster game between the two in LA
Both have won four in a row, have signal callers in Stafford and Darnold performing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on Sunday) with excellent pass catchers, and defensive units giving up under 20 points a contest
Both could realistically be undefeated as too - especially the Rams as their two defeats occurred in overtime against the San Francisco 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 touchdown
Seattle also lost to San Francisco, with a last-minute score in week one, before falling to the final play of the game against the Tampa Bay - so they're truly among the best sides in the NFL
The next matchup on Sunday could be the best of the year to date
Player of the Week - Jonathan Taylor
Taylor might be on for a historic year after his remarkable performance in Berlin - rushing for 244 rushing yards, registering three scores and contributing another forty-two {receiving yards