A significant drop in the power rankings is expected when you play down to the opposition.
That’s exactly what happened in Week 10 when the Buffalo Bills lost 30-13 to the lowly Miami Dolphins. Buffalo’s offense looked broken, once again, in their latest defeat, with Josh Allen looking very frustrated. Allen’s pass catchers struggled to get open in the loss, despite Miami selling out to stop James Cook and the run game.
Defensively, injuries plagued the roster. Landon Jackson lasted just two snaps in a game where the team was already shorthanded at defensive end, leading to DaQuan Jones having to play some defensive end reps. Tre’Davious White also exited the game briefly at cornerback. Dane Jackson, a practice squad elevation, was called into action and beaten in short order for a touchdown.
With little going right for Buffalo last week, here’s a look at where the team currently stands in various NFL power rankings.
ESPN: No. 7 (Down 6)
Non-QB MVP: RB James Cook III
Cook’s performance has been vital to the Buffalo offense this season, as the team is 1-3 when he rushes for under 100 yards. He is second in the league in rushing yards per game (102.2), succeeding behind an offensive line that has helped the Bills be third in yards before contact per rush (3.13). The ground game overall has been a positive for an offense that has significant issues elsewhere.
Sports Illustrated: No. 8 (Down 6)
On Monday, Sean McDermott made quick work out of stomping out the idea that Brian Daboll could come back and help with the Buffalo Bills. Juxtapose that with the Lions, which have one of the best and most efficient offenses in the NFL, changing out playcallers because it isn’t perfect. I’m not saying either approach is right, but I am pointing out the differences in how two contending teams are handling this.
USA Today: No. 7 (No change)
A terrible loss to Miami and a foreboding remaining schedule very likely mean this team will have to take the wild-card route this year in its ongoing pursuit of the ever-elusive Lombardi Trophy.
Pro Football Talk: No. 12 (Down 2)
An ugly loss to a 2-7 team is not the stuff of a Super Bowl contender.
Yahoo: No. 9 (Down 7)
A loss to the Dolphins might have exposed the Bills. Their September (miracle comeback over Ravens, tight wins over the Dolphins and Saints) doesn’t look so impressive anymore. They’re 2-3 since. The team needed to be active at the trade deadline and it did nothing.
Bleacher Report: No. 8 (Down 5)
Following a win over the Kansas City Chiefs, the Buffalo Bills had a letdown in a road divisional matchup in Miami. They turned the ball over three times, all three in Dolphins territory.
To make matters worse for the Bills, tight end Dalton Kincaid exited early because of a hamstring injury. Rookie Landon Jackson left the game with a knee issue, which impacted depth on the edge with A.J. Epenesa in concussion protocol.
Trailing the New England Patriots in the AFC East, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next on the schedule, the Bills need to ramp up the urgency to compensate for injuries.
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