Buffalo's Bay Day Gives Patriots Path to AFC East Lead - Best of NFL Week 10

Quarterbacks in action
Josh Allen along with Drake Maye will meet in the fifteenth week for potentially an American Football Conference East championship showdown
  • Published:
  • Comments: 3

The tenth week once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that attracts so many people into the NFL

That result may have opened opportunities for the New England Patriots to creep back into a top spot they used to occupy, with a remaining games that provides them an advantage over their 8-2 rivals

Over in the NFC the Seattle Seahawks and Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a monster clash next week, while our top performer is pursuing milestones as well as the MVP award

Analysis - Just a Bad Day for the Bills?

Josh Allen in action
Was Josh Allen try too much or could it simply have been a poor performance for the Bills?

Could it simply have been an emotional comedown from beating the Chiefs the previous week or a deeper issue? That's the question for the Buffalo team to answer

The Bills had won seven in a consecutive games against the Dolphins but were second best from the beginning as the Dolphins ran out 30-13 winners in an surprising outcome - and performance

MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the team's initial first down in the third quarter and initial scoring in the fourth - yes Miami had ten days to get ready but it was nonetheless a significant failure produced by one of the NFL's best offenses

Dolphins quarterback Tua threw two touchdowns but rusher De'Von Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 combined yards and two scores

Bottling up the NFL's top rushing attack was crucial too, with Cook and company recording just 86 yards, their lowest of the season and just over fifty percent their 161.5 yard season average

Then there were the three crucial turnovers, and the two from Allen in particular. An interception in the end zone meaning a nine minute drive produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that the Dolphins turned into a touchdown just later

It was typical 'old Buffalo' as they shot themselves in the foot, falling into a hole on defensive side and Josh Allen attempting to overcompensate to dig his team from the situation - rather than the composed, controlled, well-balanced Buffalo team we've witnessed this season

The Dolphins have demonstrated a bit of everything this season so the jury's out on if this is the beginning of a trend, but for Buffalo they'll need an instant response in a difficult matchup against the Buccaneers in week 11 as the Patriots are sneaking into a nice lead at the summit of the AFC East

Spotlight - Patriots Identify Route to Unexpected First Place

TreVeyon Henderson running
TreVeyon Henderson recorded the fifth quickest speed in the league this year

Regarding the New England, they're one of three 8-2 teams in the NFL, all AFC sides, but could they be the top team?

One could pick holes in New England, the Broncos and Indianapolis actually for dominating the lesser sides, with only five of their total twenty-four wins achieved against teams with a winning record - and one of those was the Indianapolis beating the Denver

The Broncos beat the champion Eagles in Philly and are masters of the fourth-quarter while Indianapolis can ride Taylor, but the New England including Sunday's win in Tampa Bay to their prime time win in Buffalo seems like a statement

Their pair of losses occurred in new head coach Mike Vrabel's first three contests, with seven consecutive wins, similar to Denver, since then - but taking down Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a bye to prepare was huge

Maye's MVP claims won't go away, and he certainly earns point for courage after taking some hard tackles in Tampa but persevering to steer his side to victory

The defensive unit is reliable and first-year rusher Henderson burst onto the scene on game day with 147 yards and two exciting scores of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - establishing himself as just the fifth ball carrier to break 22mph this year on his initial touchdown

While you can debate who 'the best' is technically, the Patriots should be favorites to finish with the best record thanks to their remaining opponents - which includes just a single matchup against a winning team, although a huge one against Buffalo

Visiting the Ravens is challenging too, but the Broncos have it more difficult in the AFC West with the Chiefs to play twice, the Chargers (who might also challenge for first place but encounter the same problem) and also the Packers on the schedule

The Indianapolis also face the Kansas City, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two games with the 5-4 Jaguars to face. There's a long way to go but the opportunity is available for a shock number one position in the American Football Conference

Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Set for Next Week Clash

Two teams with solid claims to be better than all of the three 8-2 teams are National Football Conference West rivals the Seahawks and Rams, who both put up 40 burgers to reach 7-2 ahead of next week's Hollywood blockbuster game between the pair in LA

Both have won four in a row, have signal callers in Matthew Stafford and Darnold playing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on Sunday) with top receivers, and defensive units allowing fewer than twenty points a game

Each could easily be undefeated as well - especially the Rams as their pair of losses came in extra time against the 49ers and then that agonising loss in Philadelphia when they had a potentially winning kick with the final play deflected and run back by the Philadelphia for a score

The Seahawks were also defeated to the 49ers, with a last-minute score in the opening week, before losing to the last kick of the contest against the Buccaneers - so they're truly among the top teams in the league

The next matchup on Sunday could be the most exciting of the season so far

Top Performer - Taylor

Jonathan Taylor running
Jonathan Taylor is pursuing multiple running and scoring records

Taylor could be on for a record season after his incredible display in Berlin - running for 244 yards, registering three scores and contributing another 42 {receiving yards

Crystal Sanders
Crystal Sanders

Elara is a gaming journalist with a passion for slot machines and industry analysis, delivering fresh perspectives on UK gaming culture.

Popular Post