Bills' Bay Day Gives New England Path to AFC East Lead - Highlights of Week 10 NFL Action
- Published:
- Comments: 3
Week 10 again delivered, with a major surprise for the Bills proving the 'any given Sunday' mantra that draws so many people into the NFL
This outcome could have created things up for the New England Patriots to move back into a leading position they used to occupy, with a remaining games that gives them an advantage over their eight and two competitors
Meanwhile in the NFC the Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had ideal outcomes to arrange a monster clash next week, while our top performer is chasing records as well as the MVP award
Analysis - Simply an Off Day for the Bills?
Could it simply have been an emotional letdown from defeating Kansas City the previous week or something more? This remains the question for the Bills to answer
The Bills had secured seven victories in a row against the Dolphins but were second best from the beginning as the Miami team emerged as 30-13 winners in an eye-opening result - and performance
MVP Josh Allen only achieved the team's opening first down in the third quarter and first points in the fourth - yes the Dolphins had 10 days to get ready but it was still a massive egg produced by one of the NFL's best offenses
Tua Tagovailoa threw two touchdowns but rusher Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 combined yards and two scores
Bottling up the NFL's top rushing attack was also key, with James Cook and teammates registering just 86 yards, their fewest of the year and slightly more than half their 161.5 yard average
Additionally there were the three critical turnovers, and the pair from Allen specifically. An pass caught by defense in the scoring area meaning a nine minute drive yielded no points, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that the Dolphins converted to a touchdown just two plays
It was typical 'previous Bills teams' as they hurt themselves in the foot, getting into a hole on defensive side and Allen attempting to do too much to rescue his squad out of it - not the composed, disciplined, balanced Buffalo team we've witnessed this year
Miami have demonstrated a varied performances this season so the verdict is uncertain on whether this is the beginning of a trend, but for Buffalo they'll need an instant response in a difficult matchup against Tampa Bay next week as the Patriots are quietly moving into a nice lead at the summit of the American Football Conference East
In Focus - New England See Path to Unexpected First Place
Regarding the New England, they're one of three 8-2 squads in the league, 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 opponents with a positive record - and one example was the Colts defeating the Broncos
The Broncos defeated the champion Eagles in Philly and are masters of the fourth-quarter while Indianapolis can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the New England including Sunday's win in Tampa to their prime time win in Orchard Park appears to be a statement
Their pair of losses occurred in recently appointed coach Vrabel's first three contests, with seven consecutive wins, just like Denver, since then - but defeating Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a week off to prepare was significant
Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials won't go away, and he certainly deserves credit for bravery after taking some savage hits in Tampa but persevering to steer his team to success
The defense is solid and first-year rusher TreVeyon Henderson burst onto the scene on game day with 147 rushing yards and two exhilerating touchdowns of 55 and 69 yards - establishing himself as just the fifth different runner to break 22 miles per hour this year on his first score
Although you can debate who 'the best' is technically, the Patriots should be favourites to end with the top record due to their schedule - which features just one game against a winning team, albeit a huge one against the Bills
Traveling to the Ravens is challenging too, but the Broncos have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Kansas City to face two times, the Chargers (who might also challenge for top seed but encounter the same problem) and additionally the Green Bay on the schedule
The Indianapolis also play the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two games with the 5-4 Jaguars to face. There is a long way to travel but the opportunity is open for a shock top seed in the American Football Conference
Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Set for Next Week Clash
Two teams with solid claims to be better than all of the three 8-2 teams are NFC West rivals the Seahawks and Rams, who each scored forty points to go to seven and two ahead of next week's major game between the two in Los Angeles
They've both secured four victories in a consecutive games, have signal callers in Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold playing at an elite level (although Darnold had turnover issues on Sunday) with top receivers, and defenses giving up under 20 points a contest
Both could easily be undefeated as well - especially the Los Angeles as their pair of losses occurred in extra time against the San Francisco and then that agonising loss in Philadelphia when they had a potentially winning field goal with the final play blocked and run back by the Eagles for a score
Seattle were also defeated to San Francisco, with a last-minute score in week one, before falling to the last kick of the game against the Buccaneers - so they are genuinely two of the best sides in the league
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the best of the season so far
Player of the Week - Taylor
Jonathan Taylor could be on for a historic year after his incredible display in Berlin - rushing for 244 rushing yards, scoring three touchdowns and adding an additional 42 {receiving yards