Bills' Disappointing Performance Opens Patriots Path to Top Spot - Highlights of NFL Week 10
- Published:
- Comments: 3
Week 10 once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills proving the 'any given Sunday' mantra that draws so many fans into the National Football League
That result may have opened things up 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 8-2 rivals
Meanwhile in the NFC the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had perfect results to arrange 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 the Bills?
Was it just an emotional letdown from beating the Chiefs the previous week or a deeper issue? This remains the question for the Buffalo team to address
The Bills had won seven in a consecutive games against Miami but were outperformed from the start as the Dolphins ran out 30-13 victors in an surprising result - and performance
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only got the team's opening first down in the third quarter and first points in the final quarter - admittedly the Dolphins had ten days to prepare but it was still a significant failure laid by one of the league's top offences
Tua Tagovailoa passed for two touchdowns but running back De'Von Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 total yards and two scores
Containing the league's best running game was crucial too, with James Cook and company recording just 86 yards, their lowest of the year and slightly more than fifty percent their 161.5-yard average
Additionally there were the three critical turnovers, and the two from Josh Allen specifically. An pass caught by defense in the end zone meaning a nine minute possession yielded no points, and his final quarter fumble that the Dolphins converted to seven points just later
It was classic 'previous Bills teams' as they shot themselves in the foot, falling into a hole on defensive side and Allen trying to do too much to rescue his squad from the situation - not the calm, disciplined, well-balanced Bills we've witnessed this year
The Dolphins have demonstrated a varied performances this season so the jury's out on whether this is the beginning of a trend, but for the Bills they'll require an immediate bounce-back in a tough game against the Buccaneers in week 11 as the New England are sneaking into a comfortable advantage at the top of the American Football Conference East
Spotlight - New England See Path to Surprise Top Seed
Speaking of the Patriots, they're one of three different eight and two teams in the league, all AFC sides, but are they the top team?
One could find flaws in the Patriots, the Broncos and Indianapolis really for feasting on the weaker opponents, with just five of their combined 24 victories achieved against opponents with a positive record - and one example was the Colts beating the Broncos
The Broncos defeated the reigning champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the fourth-quarter while Indy can ride Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's victory in Tampa Bay to their primtime success in Orchard Park appears to be a declaration
Their two defeats occurred in new head coach Mike Vrabel's first three contests, with seven straight wins, similar to Denver, since then - but defeating Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to prepare was huge
Maye's MVP claims continue to be discussed, and he certainly earns point for bravery after taking some hard tackles in Tampa Bay but hanging in there to steer his team to victory
The defensive unit is solid and rookie rusher Henderson exploded on game day with 147 yards and two exciting touchdowns of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - becoming just the fifth runner to exceed 22mph this season on his first score
While you can argue who 'the best' is technically, the Patriots should be favourites to finish with the top record due to their schedule - which includes just a single matchup against a successful opponent, although a huge one against the Bills
Traveling to the Ravens is challenging too, but the Broncos have it even tougher in the AFC West with the Kansas City to face two times, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also compete for top seed but face the same problem) and additionally the Green Bay on the schedule
The Colts also face the Kansas City, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two matchups with the five and four Jaguars to face. There's a considerable distance to go but the opportunity is open for a surprise top seed in the American Football Conference
Coming Up - Los Angeles and Seattle Prepare for Next Week Showdown
Both squads with strong arguments to be superior to all of the three 8-2 sides are National Football Conference West rivals the Seahawks and Los Angeles, who both put up 40 burgers to go to seven and two ahead of next week's Hollywood blockbuster game between the two in Los Angeles
They've both won four in a consecutive games, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Sam Darnold playing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on game day) with top receivers, and defensive units giving up fewer than twenty points a game
Each could easily be without a loss as well - particularly the Rams as their pair of losses came in extra time against the 49ers and then that painful defeat in Philly when they had a potentially winning kick with the last kick deflected and run back by the Eagles for a score
The Seahawks also lost to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in week one, before falling to the final play of the game against the Buccaneers - so they are genuinely among the top teams in the league
The next matchup on Sunday could be the best of the year to date
Player of the Week - Taylor
Taylor could be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Berlin - rushing for 244 rushing yards, registering three scores and adding an additional forty-two {receiving yards