Bills' Disappointing Performance Opens New England Route to Top Spot - Best of NFL Week 10
- Published:
- Comments: 3
The tenth week again delivered, with a major surprise for the Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that attracts so many fans into the National Football League
This outcome could have created things up for the New England Patriots to creep back into a top spot they formerly held, with a schedule that provides them an edge over their eight and two competitors
Meanwhile in the National Football Conference the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a monster clash next week, 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? That's the question for the Buffalo team to address
The Bills had won seven in a row against Miami but were outperformed from the start as the Dolphins ran out 30-13 winners in an eye-opening outcome - and display
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the team's initial first down in the third quarter and first points in the final quarter - admittedly the Dolphins had 10 days to prepare but it was still a massive egg laid by one of the NFL's best offenses
Dolphins quarterback Tua passed for two touchdowns but running back Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 total yards and two scores
Bottling up the league's best rushing attack was crucial too, with Cook and teammates registering just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the year and slightly more than fifty percent their 161.5 yard season average
Then there were the three critical ball losses, and the two from Josh Allen in particular. An interception in the scoring area resulting in a nine minute possession produced nothing, and his final quarter fumble that the Dolphins turned into 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 overcompensate to rescue his squad out of it - rather than the calm, disciplined, balanced Bills we've witnessed this season
The Dolphins have demonstrated a varied performances this season so the verdict is uncertain on if this is the start of something, but for the Bills they'll require an instant response in a tough game against the Buccaneers in week 11 as the Patriots are sneaking into a comfortable advantage at the top of the American Football Conference East
In Focus - New England Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed
Speaking of the Patriots, they're among three eight and two teams in the NFL, all AFC teams, but are they the top team?
You can pick holes in the Patriots, the Broncos and Indianapolis really for feasting on the weaker opponents, with only five of their total twenty-four wins achieved against opponents with a winning record - and one example was the Indianapolis beating the Denver
Denver beat the reigning champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are masters of the fourth-quarter while Indianapolis can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the New England including Sunday's win in Tampa to their prime time win in Orchard Park seems like a statement
Their pair of losses came in new head coach Vrabel's initial three games, with seven straight wins, just like Denver, since then - but taking down Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a week off to prepare was significant
Drake Maye's MVP claims continue to be discussed, and he certainly earns point for bravery after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa but persevering to guide his side to victory
The defense is reliable and first-year running back TreVeyon Henderson exploded on game day with 147 yards and two exciting scores of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - becoming just the fifth different runner to exceed 22 miles per hour this season on his first score
While you can argue who 'the top team' is statistically, the Pats should be favourites to finish with the best record due to their remaining opponents - which features just a single matchup against a winning team, although a huge one against Buffalo
Visiting Baltimore is challenging too, but the Broncos have it more difficult in the AFC West with the Chiefs to face two times, the Los Angeles Chargers (who could also compete for first place but face the same problem) and additionally the Packers on the fixture list
The Indianapolis also play the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, San Francisco and two matchups with the five and four Jacksonville to face. There's a considerable distance to go but the opportunity is open for a shock top seed in the American Football Conference
Coming Up - Los Angeles and Seattle Prepare for Next Week Showdown
Both squads with solid claims to be superior to all of the three 8-2 sides are National Football Conference West opponents the Seahawks and Rams, who both scored forty points to go to 7-2 before the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster game between the pair in LA
They've both secured four victories in a consecutive games, have signal callers in Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold playing at an high standard (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on Sunday) with excellent pass catchers, and defensive units allowing under 20 points a contest
Both could easily be undefeated as well - especially the Los Angeles as their two defeats came in extra time against the 49ers and then that painful defeat in Philadelphia when they had a potentially winning field goal with the last kick deflected and returned by the Philadelphia for a score
Seattle were also defeated to San Francisco, with a last-minute score in week one, before losing to the last kick of the contest against the Buccaneers - so they are truly among the top teams in the league
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the most exciting of the year to date
Player of the Week - Jonathan Taylor
Taylor might be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Berlin - running for 244 yards, registering three touchdowns and adding another forty-two {receiving yards