Week 10 again delivered, with a huge upset over Buffalo proving the NFL’s “any given Sunday” mantra. Miami’s 30-13 win over the Bills not only showcased the Dolphins’ firepower, it also opened a door for the New England Patriots to creep back toward the top of the AFC East.
Was Buffalo merely suffering an emotional comedown after beating Kansas City, or is there something deeper to worry about? The Bills, who had won seven straight against Miami, were second-best from the start. Josh Allen managed his first sustained progress only in the third quarter, and his first points didn’t come until the fourth. Crucial mistakes — notably an end-zone interception and a fourth-quarter fumble Miami converted into seven points — summed to a rare off day for one of the league’s best offenses.
Tua Tagovailoa threw two touchdowns, but running back De’Von Achane was the difference-maker with 225 total yards and two scores. Containing Buffalo’s run game was also pivotal: the Bills totalled just 86 rushing yards, far below their season average. Miami’s preparation and playmaking combined to produce an eye-opening result that will test Buffalo’s ability to respond quickly, with a tough trip to Tampa Bay next week.
Patriots see path to surprise top seed
Three AFC teams sit at 8-2 — New England, Denver and Indianapolis — but New England’s remaining schedule gives them a realistic claim to finish with the best record. All three have benefited from wins over weaker opposition; collectively only five of their 24 victories have come against teams with winning records. Still, the Patriots’ win in Tampa Bay, added to earlier primetime successes, feels significant.
Rookie quarterback Drake Maye has shown bravery under center and kept MVP chatter alive, while the defense has been steady. Rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson burst for 147 yards and two long touchdown runs of 55 and 69 yards, clocking one of the fastest runs this season. The Patriots’ remaining slate includes just one game against a current winning team (Buffalo) and a visit to Baltimore, which gives them an edge compared with Denver’s and Indy’s tougher runs. Denver faces the Chiefs twice plus other strong opponents; the Colts have the Chiefs, 49ers, Seahawks and two games with the Jaguars looming.
Rams and Seahawks set stage for big week 11
In the NFC, two teams that could be better than the 8-2 AFC trio are the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks. Both moved to 7-2 with dominant 40-point performances and now head into a blockbuster head-to-head in LA. Each team has won four straight; Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold have been playing at an elite level, aided by top receiving corps and defenses allowing under 20 points per game. Both teams have narrow losses to the 49ers and, in the Rams’ case, a heartbreaking overtime defeat in Philadelphia — indicators they are genuine contenders. Their upcoming meeting could be one of the season’s best games.
Player of the week — Jonathan Taylor
Jonathan Taylor put himself in record-chasing contention with a massive performance in Berlin: 244 rushing yards, three rushing TDs and 42 receiving yards. On current pace he projects to about 1,936 rushing yards, keeping Eric Dickerson’s single-season mark of 2,105 within reach. He’s also on track for a high scrimmage-yardage total and is chasing LaDainian Tomlinson’s rushing and overall touchdown records after scoring his fourth hat-trick of the season. Taylor’s 83-yard TD was the season’s longest, and NextGen Stats credit him with the fastest speed of the year and exceptional yards-after-contact numbers. Continued form could make him a strong MVP contender.
Week 10 notes, stats and records
– The AFC North is suddenly competitive again after Baltimore beat Minnesota and Pittsburgh lost to the Chargers; the Ravens and Steelers still meet twice, including Week 18.
– Detroit’s head coach Dan Campbell resumed play-calling duties after limited offensive returns from coordinator John Morton; the Lions poured in 44 points, 546 yards and 30 first downs in Washington.
– Matthew Stafford passed 400 regular-season touchdown passes, joining just eight others to reach the mark, and became the first player with three straight games of four touchdowns and no interceptions.
– The New York Jets pulled off a rare pair of explosive special-teams plays, returning a kickoff 99 yards and a punt 74 yards within 36 seconds to help beat Cleveland.
– Rookie Jaxson Dart became the only first-year QB in NFL history with a rushing touchdown in five consecutive games; he later left with a concussion as the Giants blew a 10-point lead and then fired head coach Brian Daboll. Offensive coordinator Mike Kafka will serve as interim head coach.
– Caleb Williams continued to grow as the Chicago Bears’ leader, engineering another late comeback after last week’s dramatic win in Cincinnati.
Watch
BBC’s Whole 10 Yards trade deadline special covers how teams may move before the deadline and what trades could reshape playoff races.
Related topics: NFL Week 10, Patriots, Bills, Dolphins, Seahawks, Rams, Jonathan Taylor.
