Buffalo's Bay Day Gives Patriots Path to Top Spot - Highlights of Week 10 NFL Action

Quarterbacks in action
Josh Allen and Drake Maye are scheduled to face in the fifteenth week for what could be an AFC East title decider
  • Published:
  • Comments: 3

The tenth week again delivered, with a major surprise for the Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that draws so many fans into the NFL

This outcome could have created opportunities for the New England Patriots to creep back into a top spot they formerly held, with a remaining games that gives them an edge over their eight and two competitors

Over in the NFC the Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had perfect results to set up a major confrontation in week 11, while our top performer is pursuing milestones as well as the MVP award

Analysis - Just a Bad Day for Buffalo?

Josh Allen in action
Was Josh Allen try too much or could it simply have been a bad day for Buffalo?

Could it simply have been an emotional comedown from defeating Kansas City last week or a deeper issue? This remains the question for the Buffalo team to address

The Bills had won seven in a row against the Dolphins but were second best from the beginning as the Miami team emerged as 30-13 winners in an eye-opening result - and performance

MVP Josh Allen only got the team's initial first down in the third period and first points in the final quarter - admittedly the Dolphins had ten days to get ready but it was nonetheless a significant failure laid by one of the NFL's top offences

Dolphins quarterback Tua threw two touchdowns but rusher De'Von Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 total yards and two scores

Containing the league's best running game was crucial too, with Cook and company recording just eighty-six yards, their fewest of the year and slightly more than half their 161.5 yard average

Then there were the three critical turnovers, and the pair from Josh Allen specifically. An pass caught by defense in the scoring area meaning a nine minute drive produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter fumble that Miami turned into a touchdown just later

It was classic 'previous Bills teams' as they hurt themselves in the foot, getting into a deficit on defense and Allen trying to do too much to dig his team from the situation - not the composed, disciplined, balanced Bills we've seen this season

Miami have served up a varied performances this year so the jury's out on if this is the beginning of a trend, but for Buffalo they'll need an immediate bounce-back in a tough game against the Buccaneers in week 11 as the New England are sneaking into a nice lead at the summit of the AFC East

Spotlight - New England See Path to Surprise Top Seed

TreVeyon Henderson running
TreVeyon Henderson recorded the fifth fastest speed in the league this season

Speaking of the New England, they're one of three different 8-2 teams in the NFL, all American Football Conference teams, but are they the top team?

You can pick holes in New England, the Broncos and Indianapolis actually for dominating the weaker opponents, with only five of their total twenty-four wins achieved against teams with a positive record - and one of those was the Indianapolis defeating the Denver

The Broncos defeated the reigning champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are masters of the fourth-quarter while Indy can rely on Taylor, but the Patriots including Sunday's victory in Tampa Bay to their prime time success in Buffalo appears to be a declaration

Their pair of losses occurred in new head coach Mike Vrabel's first three games, with seven straight victories, just like Denver, since then - but defeating Baker Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a week off to prepare was huge

Drake Maye's MVP claims continue to be discussed, and he definitely earns point for bravery after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa but persevering to steer his team to victory

The defensive unit is reliable and first-year running back TreVeyon Henderson burst onto the scene on game day with 147 yards and two exciting touchdowns of 55 and 69 yards - establishing himself as just the fifth runner to break 22mph this season on his initial touchdown

While you can argue who 'the best' is statistically, the Pats should be favourites to finish with the best record due to their schedule - which features just a single matchup against a successful opponent, although a huge one against the Bills

Traveling to Baltimore is challenging too, but the Broncos have it more difficult in the AFC West with the Kansas City to play twice, the Chargers (who might also challenge for first place but face the same problem) and additionally the Green Bay on the fixture list

The Indianapolis also play the Kansas City, and have the Seahawks, San Francisco and two matchups with the 5-4 Jacksonville to face. There is a considerable distance to travel but the opportunity is open for a shock top seed in the American Football Conference

Coming Up - Rams & Seahawks Set for Next Week Showdown

Two teams with solid claims to be superior to all of the three 8-2 sides are NFC West rivals the Seattle and Rams, who both put up 40 burgers to go to 7-2 before the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster meeting between the two in Los Angeles

They've both secured four victories in a row, have signal callers in Stafford and Darnold playing at an elite level (although Darnold had turnover issues on game day) with excellent pass catchers, and defensive units giving up fewer than twenty points a game

Both could realistically be without a loss as too - especially the Los Angeles as their pair of losses came in extra time against the 49ers and then that painful defeat in Philadelphia when they had a game-winning field goal with the final play deflected and returned by the Eagles for a score

Seattle were also defeated to the 49ers, with a late touchdown in week one, before falling to the final play of the game against the Tampa Bay - so they're truly two of the best sides in the league

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

Top Performer - Taylor

Jonathan Taylor running
Taylor is pursuing multiple rushing and touchdown records

Jonathan Taylor might be on for a historic year after his remarkable performance in Germany - running for 244 yards, scoring three touchdowns and adding an additional forty-two {receiving yards

Richard Benson
Richard Benson

A travel enthusiast and Las Vegas local who shares expert insights on maximizing your Vegas experience, from hidden gems to top shows.