Buffalo's Bay Day Gives New England Route to Top Spot - Best of NFL Week 10
- Published:
- Comments: 3
Week 10 again delivered, with a major surprise for the Bills proving the 'any given Sunday' mantra that draws so many people into the NFL
That result could have created opportunities for the Patriots to creep back into a top spot they used to occupy, with a remaining games that gives them an advantage over their eight and two competitors
Over in the NFC the Seattle Seahawks and Rams had perfect results to set up a monster clash next week, while our top performer is chasing records as well as the Most Valuable Player award
Analysis - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?
Could it simply have been an emotional letdown from beating the Chiefs last week or a deeper issue? This remains the question for the Buffalo team to address
The Bills had secured seven victories in a row against Miami but were second best from the start as the Miami team ran out 30-13 winners in an surprising result - and performance
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved 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 nonetheless a significant failure laid by one of the league's top offences
Tua Tagovailoa threw two scores but rusher De'Von Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 combined yards and two scores
Containing the league's best running game was also key, with Cook and teammates registering just 86 yards, their lowest of the year and slightly more than half their 161.5-yard season average
Additionally there were the three critical ball losses, and the pair from Allen in particular. An interception in the end zone resulting in a nine-minute drive produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that Miami converted to seven points just two plays
It was classic 'previous Bills teams' as they shot themselves in the foot, getting into a hole on defensive side and Allen attempting to do too much to rescue his squad out of it - rather than the calm, disciplined, balanced Bills we've seen this season
Miami have served up a varied performances this season so the jury's out on whether this is the start of a trend, but for the Bills they'll need an instant response in a tough game against the Buccaneers next week as the New England are sneaking into a nice lead at the summit of the American Football Conference East
Spotlight - New England Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed
Speaking of the New England, they're one of three 8-2 teams in the NFL, all American Football Conference sides, but are they the top team?
You can find flaws in the Patriots, the Broncos and Indianapolis really for dominating the weaker opponents, with only five of their total 24 wins coming against teams with a positive record - and one of those was the Colts beating the Broncos
Denver defeated the champion Eagles in Philly and are masters of the final quarter while Indianapolis can ride Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's victory in Tampa Bay to their primtime win in Buffalo appears to be a statement
Their pair of losses occurred in recently appointed coach Vrabel's initial three games, with seven straight victories, just like the Broncos, since then - but defeating Baker Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a week off to get ready was significant
Drake Maye's MVP claims won't go away, and he certainly deserves credit for bravery after taking some hard tackles in Tampa Bay but hanging in there to steer his side to success
The defense is reliable and first-year rusher Henderson exploded on game day with 147 rushing yards and two exhilerating touchdowns of 55 and 69 yards - establishing himself as just the fifth runner to break 22mph this season on his first score
While you can debate who 'the best' is statistically, the Pats should be favorites to end with the top record thanks to their schedule - which features just one game against a successful opponent, albeit a significant contest against Buffalo
Traveling to Baltimore is also tough, but the Broncos have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to play twice, the Chargers (who might also challenge for first place but face the identical challenge) and also the Packers on the schedule
The Indianapolis also face the Kansas City, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two matchups with the 5-4 Jacksonville to contend with. There is a considerable distance to travel but the door is available for a shock number one position in the American Football Conference
Coming Up - Los Angeles and Seattle Prepare for Next Week Clash
Two teams with solid claims to be superior to all of the three different eight and two teams are NFC West rivals the Seattle and Rams, who each put up 40 burgers to go to 7-2 ahead of next week's major game between the two in Los Angeles
They've both won four in a row, have quarterbacks in Matthew Stafford and Darnold playing at an elite level (although Darnold had ball security problems on Sunday) with excellent pass catchers, and defensive units allowing fewer than twenty points a game
Both could realistically be undefeated as well - especially the Los Angeles as their pair of losses occurred in overtime against the 49ers and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a potentially winning kick with the final play deflected and returned by the Philadelphia for a score
The Seahawks were also defeated to the 49ers, with a late touchdown in week one, before losing to the last kick of the contest against the Tampa Bay - so they're truly two of the best sides in the league
The next matchup on Sunday could be the most exciting of the year to date
Top Performer - Jonathan Taylor
Jonathan Taylor could be on for a historic year after his incredible display in Germany - running for 244 yards, registering three scores and adding another forty-two {receiving yards