Bills' Bay Day Gives New England Path to Top Spot - Best of Week 10 NFL Action
- Published:
- Comments: 3
The tenth week again delivered, with a huge upset for the Bills demonstrating the 'any given Sunday' mantra that attracts so many fans into the NFL
That result could have created opportunities for the Patriots to creep back into a top spot they formerly held, with a schedule that gives them an edge over their eight and two rivals
Over in the National Football Conference the Seattle Seahawks and Rams had perfect results to set up a major confrontation in week 11, while our top performer is pursuing milestones as well as the MVP award
Analysis - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?
Could it simply have been an emotional comedown from beating the Chiefs last week or something more? That's the question for the Bills to address
The Bills had won seven in a consecutive games against Miami but were second best from the beginning as the Miami team emerged as 30-13 winners in an eye-opening result - and performance
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the team's opening first down in the third period and initial scoring in the fourth - admittedly the Dolphins had 10 days to prepare but it was nonetheless a massive egg produced by one of the NFL's best offenses
Tua Tagovailoa threw two touchdowns but rusher De'Von Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 total yards and two scores
Containing the NFL's top running game was crucial too, with Cook and company registering just 86 yards, their fewest of the year and slightly more than half their 161.5 yard average
Additionally there were the three crucial turnovers, and the pair from Allen specifically. An pass caught by defense in the scoring area resulting in a nine-minute drive produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter fumble that the Dolphins converted to a touchdown just two plays
It was classic 'previous Bills teams' as they hurt themselves in the foot, getting into a deficit on defensive side and Josh Allen attempting to do too much to rescue his squad out of it - rather than the composed, controlled, well-balanced Bills we've seen this season
Miami have demonstrated a bit of everything this season so the jury's out on if this is the beginning of a trend, but for the Bills they'll require an instant response in a tough game against the Buccaneers in week 11 as the New England are sneaking into a nice lead at the top of the AFC East
In Focus - New England Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed
Regarding the Patriots, they're one of three different 8-2 squads in the NFL, all American Football Conference teams, but are they the best?
You can pick holes in New England, Denver and Indianapolis really for feasting on the weaker opponents, with only five of their combined 24 wins achieved against teams with a positive record - and one of those was the Indianapolis defeating the Denver
Denver defeated the champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the fourth-quarter while Indianapolis can ride Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's victory in Tampa to their primtime win in Orchard Park seems like a declaration
Their two defeats came in recently appointed coach Mike Vrabel's initial three contests, with seven straight wins, similar to Denver, from that point - but defeating Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a week off to prepare was huge
Drake Maye's MVP claims won't go away, and he certainly earns credit for bravery after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa but persevering to guide his side to victory
The defensive unit is solid and first-year rusher TreVeyon Henderson burst onto the scene on Sunday with 147 yards and two exhilerating touchdowns of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - becoming just the fifth runner to exceed 22mph this year on his first score
While you can argue who 'the top team' is technically, the Pats should be favorites to end with the top record due to their remaining opponents - which includes just one game against a winning team, although a significant contest against Buffalo
Traveling to Baltimore is also tough, but Denver have it more difficult in the AFC West division with the Kansas City to play twice, the Los Angeles Chargers (who could also challenge for first place but encounter the identical challenge) and also the Green Bay on the schedule
The Indianapolis also face the Kansas City, and have the Seahawks, San Francisco and two matchups with the 5-4 Jaguars to contend with. There's a long way to travel but the opportunity is open for a surprise top seed in the American Football Conference
Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Prepare for Next Week Clash
Both squads with solid claims to be better than all of the three 8-2 sides are NFC West opponents the Seahawks and Rams, who each scored forty points to go to 7-2 ahead of next week's major meeting between the pair in Los Angeles
They've both won four in a consecutive games, have signal callers in Stafford and Sam Darnold playing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had turnover issues on Sunday) with top receivers, and defensive units allowing under 20 points a game
Both could realistically be undefeated as well - particularly the Los Angeles as their two defeats came in extra time against the San Francisco and then that painful defeat in Philly when they had a potentially winning kick with the final play deflected and run back by the Eagles for a score
Seattle also lost to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in the opening week, before losing to the final play of the game against the Tampa Bay - so they are truly two of the best sides in the NFL
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the best of the season to date
Player of the Week - Taylor
Jonathan Taylor might be on for a record season after his incredible display in Berlin - rushing for 244 rushing yards, scoring three scores and adding another 42 {receiving yards