Bills' Disappointing Performance Gives New England Path to AFC East Lead - Highlights of Week 10 NFL Action
- Published:
- Comments: 3
The tenth week again delivered, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that attracts so many fans into the National Football League
That result may have opened opportunities for the Patriots to creep back into a leading position they used to occupy, with a remaining games that gives them an advantage over their eight and two competitors
Over in the National Football Conference the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had ideal outcomes to arrange a major confrontation in week 11, while our player of the week is chasing records as well as the Most Valuable Player award
Analysis - Just a Bad Day for Buffalo?
Was it just an emotional comedown from beating the Chiefs the previous week or a deeper issue? That's the question for the Bills to address
The Buffalo squad had secured seven victories in a consecutive games against the Dolphins but were second best from the beginning as the Miami team ran out 30-13 victors in an eye-opening result - and display
MVP Josh Allen only achieved the team's initial first down in the third period and first points in the fourth - admittedly Miami had 10 days to prepare but it was still a significant failure produced by one of the NFL's top offences
Tua Tagovailoa passed for two touchdowns but rusher De'Von Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 combined yards and two scores
Containing the league's best rushing attack was also key, with Cook and company recording just 86 yards, their lowest of the season and just over fifty percent their 161.5-yard season average
Then there were the three crucial turnovers, and the two from Josh Allen in particular. An pass caught by defense in the end zone resulting in a nine minute possession produced nothing, and his final quarter fumble that Miami converted to a touchdown just later
It was typical 'old Buffalo' as they shot themselves in the foot, getting into a deficit on defensive side and Allen trying to overcompensate to dig his team out of it - rather than the composed, disciplined, balanced Bills we've witnessed this year
The Dolphins have demonstrated a bit of everything this year so the verdict is uncertain on whether this is the start of something, but for the Bills they'll require an immediate bounce-back in a tough game against Tampa Bay next week as the Patriots are sneaking into a comfortable advantage at the top of the American Football Conference East
Spotlight - Patriots See Path to Unexpected First Place
Speaking of the Patriots, they're one of three 8-2 teams in the league, all American Football Conference teams, but are they the best?
One could pick holes in New England, Denver and the Colts actually for dominating the lesser sides, with only five of their total twenty-four victories achieved against opponents with a positive record - and one example was the Indianapolis defeating the Broncos
Denver defeated the champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are masters of the final quarter while Indianapolis can ride Taylor, but the Patriots including Sunday's victory in Tampa Bay to their prime time success in Buffalo appears to be a statement
Their two defeats occurred in new head coach Mike Vrabel's initial three games, with seven consecutive wins, just like the Broncos, from that point - but taking down Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a week off to get ready was huge
Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials continue to be discussed, and he definitely deserves point for courage after taking some hard tackles in Tampa Bay but hanging in there to steer his team to success
The defensive unit is solid and rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson exploded on game day with 147 rushing yards and two exciting touchdowns of 55 and 69 yards - becoming just the fifth different runner to exceed 22mph this year on his initial touchdown
Although you can debate who 'the top team' is technically, the Pats should be favorites to finish with the best record thanks to their remaining opponents - which includes just one game against a successful opponent, although a significant contest against Buffalo
Visiting Baltimore is also tough, but the Broncos have it even tougher in the AFC West with the Kansas City to play twice, the Chargers (who could also compete for first place but face the same problem) and also the Packers on the schedule
The Colts also play the Chiefs, and have the Seahawks, San Francisco and two matchups with the five and four Jaguars to contend with. There's a long way to go but the door is available for a shock number one position in the AFC
Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Prepare for Next Week Clash
Two teams with strong arguments to be superior to all of the three different 8-2 teams are NFC West opponents the Seattle and Rams, who both put up forty points to reach 7-2 ahead of next week's major game between the pair in LA
They've both secured four victories in a row, have quarterbacks in Matthew Stafford and Darnold playing at an high standard (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on game day) with top receivers, and defensive units allowing fewer than twenty points a game
Each could realistically be undefeated as well - particularly the Rams as their pair of losses occurred in overtime against the 49ers and then that painful defeat in Philly when they had a game-winning field goal with the final play deflected and returned by the Philadelphia for a score
Seattle were also defeated to the 49ers, with a last-minute score in the opening week, before losing 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 so far
Player of the Week - Jonathan Taylor
Jonathan Taylor might be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Berlin - running for 244 yards, registering three touchdowns and contributing an additional forty-two {receiving yards