Buffalo's Disappointing Performance Opens New England Path to AFC East Lead - Best of NFL Week 10
- Published:
- Comments: 3
The tenth week again delivered, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills demonstrating the 'any given Sunday' saying that draws so many people into the National Football League
That result could have created things up for the Patriots to move back into a top spot they used to occupy, with a schedule that gives them an edge over their 8-2 rivals
Over in the National Football Conference the Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had ideal outcomes to arrange a major confrontation in week 11, while our top performer is chasing records as well as the MVP award
The Breakdown - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?
Was it just an emotional letdown from beating the Chiefs last 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 outperformed from the start as the Miami team emerged as 30-13 victors in an eye-opening outcome - and display
MVP Josh Allen only achieved the squad's initial first down in the third period and first points in the final quarter - admittedly the Dolphins had 10 days to prepare but it was still a significant failure produced by one of the NFL's top offences
Tua Tagovailoa threw two scores but running back Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 combined yards and two touchdowns
Bottling up the NFL's top running game was also key, with Cook and company registering just 86 yards, their lowest of the year and slightly more than half their 161.5-yard average
Additionally there were the three critical turnovers, and the two from Josh Allen in particular. An interception in the end zone resulting in a nine-minute possession yielded no points, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that Miami converted to seven points just two plays
It was classic 'old Buffalo' as they hurt themselves in the foot, getting into a hole on defense and Allen attempting to overcompensate to dig his team from the situation - not the calm, disciplined, well-balanced Buffalo team we've witnessed this year
The Dolphins have served up a varied performances this season so the jury's out on whether this is the start of something, but for Buffalo they'll require an immediate bounce-back in a difficult matchup against the Buccaneers next week as the Patriots are quietly moving into a nice lead at the top of the AFC East
Spotlight - New England See Path to Surprise Top Seed
Speaking of the Patriots, they're among three different 8-2 teams in the NFL, all AFC sides, but are they the best?
One could find flaws in New England, the Broncos and Indianapolis actually for feasting on the lesser sides, with just five of their total twenty-four victories coming against teams with a positive record - and one example was the Colts defeating the Broncos
Denver beat the reigning champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the final quarter while Indianapolis can ride Jonathan Taylor, but the New England including Sunday's victory in Tampa to their primtime success in Buffalo appears to be a statement
Their pair of losses occurred in recently appointed coach Vrabel's initial three contests, with seven straight victories, just like the Broncos, from that point - but defeating Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to prepare was significant
Drake Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials won't go away, and he definitely deserves point for bravery after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa but hanging in there to guide his side to victory
The defense is reliable and first-year running back Henderson burst onto the scene on Sunday with 147 rushing yards and two exhilerating scores of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - becoming just the fifth runner to exceed 22 miles per hour this season on his initial touchdown
While you can debate who 'the top team' is statistically, the Patriots should be favorites to end with the top record thanks to their remaining opponents - which includes just a single matchup against a successful opponent, although a significant contest against the Bills
Traveling to Baltimore is challenging too, but Denver have it more difficult in the AFC West with the Chiefs to play twice, the Chargers (who might also compete for first place but encounter the same problem) and also the Packers on the fixture list
The Indianapolis also face the Kansas City, and have the Seattle, San Francisco and two games with the 5-4 Jacksonville to face. There is a long way to travel but the opportunity is open for a surprise top seed in the American Football Conference
Next Week - Los Angeles and Seattle Prepare for Week 11 Showdown
Both squads with solid claims to be superior to all of the three eight and two sides are NFC West rivals the Seahawks and Los Angeles, who both put up forty points 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 signal callers in Stafford and Darnold playing at an high standard (although Darnold had ball security problems on game day) with excellent pass catchers, and defenses giving up under 20 points a game
Both could realistically be without a loss as well - particularly the Rams as their pair of losses came in extra time against the San Francisco and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a potentially winning field goal with the final play deflected and run back by the Eagles for a score
The Seahawks also lost to San Francisco, with a last-minute score in the opening week, before losing to the last kick of the contest against the Buccaneers - so they're genuinely among the top teams in the league
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the best of the season so far
Top Performer - Jonathan Taylor
Taylor might be on for a historic year after his remarkable performance in Germany - rushing for 244 yards, scoring three touchdowns and adding another forty-two {receiving yards