Buffalo's Bay Day Gives New England Route to Top Spot - Best of Week 10 NFL Action
- Published:
- Comments: 3
Week 10 once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' saying that draws so many fans into the National Football League
This outcome may have opened things up for the Patriots to creep back into a top spot they used to occupy, with a remaining games that provides them an edge over their eight and two competitors
Meanwhile in the NFC the Seattle 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 MVP award
The Breakdown - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?
Could it simply have been an emotional letdown from beating the Chiefs the previous week or something more? This remains the question for the Buffalo team to address
The Buffalo squad had won seven in a consecutive games against Miami but were second best from the start as the Dolphins ran out 30-13 winners in an surprising outcome - and display
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the squad's initial first down in the third period and first points in the fourth - yes the Dolphins had 10 days to prepare but it was nonetheless a significant failure produced by one of the league'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 running game was also key, with Cook and company recording 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 two from Josh Allen specifically. An interception in the scoring area resulting in a nine minute possession produced nothing, and his final quarter fumble that the Dolphins converted to seven points just two plays
It was classic 'previous Bills teams' as they shot themselves in the foot, getting into a hole on defense and Allen trying to overcompensate to rescue his squad from the situation - rather than the composed, controlled, well-balanced Buffalo team we've seen this season
The Dolphins have demonstrated a bit of everything this season so the jury's out on if this is the beginning of something, but for the Bills they'll need an instant response 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 Unexpected First Place
Regarding the New England, they're one of three eight and two teams in the league, all AFC teams, but could they be the top team?
One could find flaws in New England, Denver and the Colts actually for dominating the lesser sides, with just five of their total 24 victories coming against teams with a positive record - and one of those was the Indianapolis beating the Denver
Denver beat the champion Eagles in Philly and are masters of the fourth-quarter while Indy can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's victory in Tampa Bay to their prime time win in Orchard Park seems like a statement
Their pair of losses came in recently appointed coach Vrabel's first three games, with seven straight victories, just like the Broncos, from that point - but taking down Baker Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a bye to get ready was significant
Drake Maye's MVP claims continue to be discussed, and he certainly earns point for bravery after taking some savage hits in Tampa Bay but persevering to guide his team to victory
The defense is reliable and first-year rusher TreVeyon Henderson exploded on Sunday with 147 yards and two exciting touchdowns of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - becoming just the fifth ball carrier to exceed 22 miles per hour this year on his initial touchdown
While you can argue who 'the best' is statistically, the Patriots should be favorites to end with the best record due to their schedule - which features just a single matchup against a successful opponent, although a significant contest against the Bills
Visiting the Ravens is also tough, but Denver have it more difficult in the AFC West with the Kansas City to play twice, the Chargers (who could also compete for top seed but face the same problem) and additionally the Packers on the schedule
The Colts also play the Kansas City, and have the Seahawks, San Francisco and two games with the 5-4 Jaguars to face. There is a considerable distance to travel but the door is open for a shock top seed in the American Football Conference
Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Prepare for Week 11 Clash
Two teams with strong arguments to be better than all of the three 8-2 teams are National Football Conference West rivals the Seattle and Los Angeles, who both put up forty points to reach 7-2 before next week's major meeting between the two in LA
Both have secured four victories in a row, have quarterbacks in Matthew Stafford and Darnold performing at an high standard (although Darnold had turnover issues on Sunday) with top receivers, and defensive units giving up fewer than twenty points a contest
Both could realistically be undefeated as well - especially the Rams as their two defeats occurred in extra time against the San Francisco and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a game-winning field goal with the final play blocked and returned by the Eagles for a touchdown
The Seahawks were also defeated to the 49ers, with a last-minute score in the opening week, before falling to the last kick of the game against the Tampa Bay - so they are truly among the top teams in the NFL
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the most exciting of the season so far
Player of the Week - Jonathan Taylor
Taylor could be on for a record season after his incredible display in Berlin - rushing for 244 yards, registering three scores and contributing another 42 {receiving yards