Bills' Disappointing Performance Opens New England Route to Top Spot - Highlights of Week 10 NFL Action
- Published:
- Comments: 3
Week 10 once more provided excitement, with a huge upset for the Buffalo Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that attracts so many people into the National Football League
This outcome may have opened opportunities for the Patriots to move back into a leading position they used to occupy, with a remaining games that provides them an advantage over their eight and two rivals
Over in the NFC the Seahawks and Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a monster clash next week, 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 defeating Kansas City the previous week or a deeper issue? This remains the question for the Buffalo team to answer
The Bills had won seven in a consecutive games against the Dolphins but were outperformed from the start as the Miami team emerged as 30-13 victors in an eye-opening outcome - and performance
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the team's opening first down in the third quarter and initial scoring in the fourth - yes the Dolphins had ten days to get ready but it was nonetheless a significant failure laid by one of the league's best offenses
Dolphins quarterback Tua threw two touchdowns but running back De'Von Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 combined yards and two scores
Bottling up the NFL's top rushing attack was crucial too, with Cook and teammates recording just 86 yards, their fewest of the season and just over half their 161.5-yard season average
Additionally there were the three crucial turnovers, and the two from Allen specifically. An pass caught by defense in the end zone resulting in a nine-minute possession produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter fumble that the Dolphins turned into a touchdown just later
It was classic 'previous Bills teams' as they shot themselves in the foot, falling into a hole on defense and Allen attempting to do too much to rescue his squad out of it - rather than the composed, disciplined, balanced Buffalo team we've seen this season
The Dolphins have served up a varied performances this season so the verdict is uncertain on if this is the start of something, but for Buffalo they'll need an immediate bounce-back in a difficult matchup against Tampa Bay in week 11 as the New England are quietly moving into a comfortable advantage at the summit of the AFC East
In Focus - New England Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed
Regarding the Patriots, they're among three 8-2 teams in the NFL, all AFC sides, but are they the top team?
You can find flaws in New England, Denver and Indianapolis really for dominating the lesser sides, with only five of their total twenty-four wins achieved against teams with a positive record - and one example was the Colts beating the Broncos
The Broncos beat the champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the final quarter while Indy can ride Taylor, but the New England including Sunday's victory in Tampa to their prime time success in Buffalo seems like a declaration
Their two defeats occurred in recently appointed coach Mike Vrabel's initial three games, with seven consecutive victories, similar to the Broncos, since then - but defeating Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a week off to prepare was significant
Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials continue to be discussed, and he certainly earns point for bravery after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa Bay but hanging in there to guide his team to victory
The defense is reliable and first-year rusher TreVeyon Henderson exploded on game day with 147 rushing yards and two exhilerating scores of 55 and 69 yards - becoming just the fifth different runner to exceed 22 miles per hour this year on his first score
While you can argue who 'the best' is statistically, the Patriots should be favorites to end with the top record due to their schedule - which includes just a single matchup against a winning team, although a huge one against Buffalo
Visiting Baltimore is challenging too, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West with the Kansas City to play twice, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also challenge for first place but face the same problem) and additionally the Packers on the fixture list
The Colts also face the Kansas City, and have the Seahawks, 49ers and two games with the five and four Jaguars to face. There is a long way to go but the door is available for a shock number one position in the American Football Conference
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 Seahawks and Los Angeles, who each scored 40 burgers to go to seven and two ahead of the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster game between the pair in LA
They've both secured four victories in a row, have quarterbacks in 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 game
Both could easily be without a loss as well - especially the Rams as their two defeats occurred in extra time against the 49ers and then that painful defeat in Philly when they had a game-winning field goal with the final play deflected and run back by the Philadelphia for a touchdown
The Seahawks also lost to the 49ers, with a late touchdown in week one, before losing to the final play of the game against the Buccaneers - so they're genuinely two of the best sides in the NFL
The upcoming game 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 Germany - running for 244 rushing yards, registering three touchdowns and contributing an additional 42 {receiving yards