Buffalo's Disappointing Performance Gives Patriots Route to Top Spot - Highlights of Week 10 NFL Action
- Published:
- Comments: 3
The tenth week again delivered, with a major surprise for the Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that draws so many people into the National Football League
This outcome could have created things up for the Patriots to move back into a top spot they used to occupy, with a remaining games that provides them an edge over their 8-2 rivals
Over in the NFC the Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had perfect results to set up a major confrontation next week, while our top performer is pursuing milestones as well as the MVP award
The Breakdown - Just a Bad Day for the Bills?
Could it simply have been an emotional letdown from defeating Kansas City last week or a deeper issue? That's the question for the Buffalo team to address
The Bills had won seven in a consecutive games against Miami but were second best from the start as the Dolphins emerged as 30-13 victors in an eye-opening result - and display
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only got the team's initial first down in the third quarter and initial scoring in the fourth - admittedly the Dolphins had ten days to get ready but it was still a significant failure laid by one of the league's top offences
Tua Tagovailoa threw two touchdowns but rusher Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 combined yards and two touchdowns
Bottling up the NFL's top rushing attack was also key, with Cook and teammates 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 Allen specifically. An interception in the scoring area resulting in a nine-minute possession produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter fumble that the Dolphins converted to seven points just later
It was classic 'previous Bills teams' as they hurt themselves in the foot, getting into a deficit on defense and Allen attempting to overcompensate to dig his team out of it - rather than the composed, controlled, well-balanced Bills we've witnessed this season
The Dolphins have served up a bit of everything this year so the verdict is uncertain on whether this is the start of something, but for the Bills they'll require an immediate bounce-back in a tough game against Tampa Bay next week as the Patriots are sneaking into a nice lead at the summit of the American Football Conference East
Spotlight - New England See Path to Surprise Top Seed
Regarding the New England, they're one of three eight and two teams in the NFL, all AFC sides, but are they the top team?
One could find flaws in the Patriots, Denver and Indianapolis actually for dominating the weaker opponents, with just five of their total twenty-four victories achieved against opponents with a positive record - and one example was the Indianapolis beating the Broncos
Denver beat the champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the fourth-quarter while Indy can ride Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's victory in Tampa to their prime time success in Orchard Park seems like a statement
Their pair of losses came in new head coach Vrabel's initial three games, with seven consecutive victories, similar to Denver, since then - but defeating Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a week off to prepare was significant
Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials won't go away, and he certainly earns credit for bravery after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa but persevering to guide his side to success
The defense is solid and rookie rusher TreVeyon Henderson burst onto the scene on Sunday with 147 yards and two exciting touchdowns of 55 and 69 yards - establishing himself as just the fifth different ball carrier to exceed 22 miles per hour this season on his initial touchdown
Although you can argue who 'the top team' is technically, the Pats should be favourites to finish with the top record thanks to their remaining opponents - which includes just a single matchup against a successful opponent, although a huge one against the Bills
Visiting Baltimore is also tough, but Denver have it more difficult in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to face two times, the Chargers (who could also challenge for top seed but face the identical challenge) and additionally the Packers on the fixture list
The Colts also face the Chiefs, and have the Seahawks, 49ers and two games with the 5-4 Jaguars to contend with. There is a long way to travel but the door is available for a surprise top seed in the AFC
Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Prepare for Next Week Clash
Both squads with strong arguments to be superior to all of the three 8-2 teams are NFC West opponents the Seahawks and Rams, who both put up forty points to go to seven and two before the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster game between the two in Los Angeles
Both have secured four victories in a row, have signal callers in Stafford and Darnold playing at an high standard (although Sam Darnold had turnover issues on Sunday) with top receivers, and defensive units giving up under 20 points a game
Each could easily be undefeated as too - particularly the Rams as their two defeats came in extra time against the 49ers and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a potentially winning field goal with the last kick deflected and returned by the Eagles for a score
Seattle were also defeated to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in the opening week, before losing to the last kick of the contest against the Buccaneers - so they are truly among the best sides in the league
The next matchup on Sunday could be the best of the season to date
Player of the Week - Taylor
Jonathan Taylor could be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Berlin - rushing for 244 yards, scoring three touchdowns and adding another 42 {receiving yards