Buffalo's Bay Day Opens Patriots Route to Top Spot - Best of Week 10 NFL Action
- Published:
- Comments: 3
Week 10 once more provided excitement, with a huge upset for the Buffalo Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' saying that draws so many fans into the National Football League
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 edge over their 8-2 rivals
Over in the NFC the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had perfect results to arrange a major confrontation next week, while our player of the week is chasing records as well as the MVP award
The Breakdown - Simply an Off Day for the Bills?
Was it just an emotional letdown from defeating Kansas City the previous week or something more? This remains the question for the Buffalo team to answer
The Buffalo squad had secured seven victories in a consecutive games against the Dolphins but were second best from the start as the Dolphins ran out 30-13 winners in an eye-opening 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 the Dolphins had 10 days to get ready but it was still a significant failure produced by one of the league's best offenses
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 league's best running game was also key, with James Cook and teammates registering just eighty-six yards, their fewest of the season and just over half their 161.5 yard average
Additionally there were the three crucial turnovers, and the pair from Josh Allen in particular. An interception in the end zone resulting in a nine minute possession produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that Miami turned into a touchdown just two plays
It was typical 'previous Bills teams' as they hurt themselves in the foot, falling into a deficit on defensive side and Allen trying to do too much to dig his team out of it - rather than the composed, disciplined, well-balanced Buffalo team we've witnessed this year
The Dolphins have demonstrated a bit of everything this year so the verdict is uncertain on if this is the beginning of a trend, but for Buffalo they'll need an immediate bounce-back in a difficult matchup against Tampa Bay next week as the New England are quietly moving into a comfortable advantage at the top of the American Football Conference East
In Focus - New England See Path to Surprise Top Seed
Regarding the Patriots, they're among three eight and two squads in the league, all AFC sides, but could they be the best?
One could pick holes in New England, Denver and the Colts really for dominating the lesser sides, with only five of their total twenty-four wins achieved against opponents with a winning record - and one of those was the Indianapolis defeating the Denver
The Broncos beat the reigning champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the final quarter while Indy can rely on Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's victory in Tampa to their primtime win in Orchard Park seems like a statement
Their pair of losses occurred in recently appointed coach Vrabel's first three games, with seven straight victories, just like Denver, from that point - but defeating Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a week off to prepare was huge
Drake Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials won't go away, and he certainly deserves point for courage after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa but persevering to steer his team to success
The defense is reliable and rookie rusher TreVeyon Henderson exploded 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 break 22 miles per hour this season on his first score
Although you can argue who 'the top team' is technically, the Pats should be favorites to finish with the best record due to their schedule - which includes just a single matchup against a successful opponent, albeit a huge one against the Bills
Traveling to Baltimore is challenging too, but the Broncos have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to face two times, the Los Angeles Chargers (who could also challenge for top seed but face the identical challenge) and additionally the Packers on the fixture list
The Indianapolis also play the Chiefs, and have the Seahawks, 49ers and two matchups with the five and four Jacksonville to face. There is a considerable distance to go but the door is open for a shock number one position in the American Football Conference
Coming Up - Los Angeles and Seattle Set for Week 11 Clash
Two teams with strong arguments to be superior to all of the three different 8-2 teams are NFC West rivals the Seattle and Rams, who both put up 40 burgers to reach 7-2 before next week's major game between the two in Los Angeles
They've both won four in a consecutive games, have quarterbacks in Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold playing at an high standard (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 without a loss as too - especially the Los Angeles as their pair of losses occurred in extra time against the 49ers and then that painful defeat in Philly when they had a game-winning kick with the last kick blocked and returned by the Philadelphia for a score
Seattle were also defeated to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in week one, before falling to the last kick of the game against the Tampa Bay - so they're truly among the top teams in the league
The next matchup on Sunday could be the best of the year to date
Top Performer - Jonathan Taylor
Jonathan Taylor could be on for a record season after his incredible display in Germany - running for 244 rushing yards, scoring three scores and adding another forty-two {receiving yards