Buffalo's Bay Day Gives New England Route to AFC East Lead - Best of NFL Week 10
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The tenth week again delivered, with a huge upset for the Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that attracts so many fans into the National Football League
This outcome could have created opportunities for the New England Patriots to creep back into a leading position they formerly held, with a remaining games that gives them an advantage over their eight and two rivals
Meanwhile in the National Football Conference the Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had ideal outcomes to arrange a monster clash in week 11, while our top performer is chasing records as well as the Most Valuable Player award
The Breakdown - Just a Bad Day for Buffalo?
Could it simply have been an emotional letdown from beating the Chiefs the previous week or a deeper issue? That's the question for the Bills to address
The Bills had secured seven victories in a consecutive games against Miami but were second best from the beginning as the Dolphins emerged as 30-13 victors in an surprising result - and performance
MVP Josh Allen only achieved the squad's opening first down in the third quarter and first points in the fourth - yes Miami had ten days to get ready but it was nonetheless a massive egg laid by one of the league's top offences
Tua Tagovailoa threw two scores but running back De'Von Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 total yards and two touchdowns
Containing the NFL's top running game was crucial too, with James Cook and teammates registering just 86 yards, their fewest of the year and slightly more than half their 161.5-yard average
Additionally there were the three critical ball losses, and the two from Josh Allen in particular. An interception in the end zone resulting in a nine minute possession produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that the Dolphins converted to seven points just two plays
It was typical 'previous Bills teams' as they hurt themselves in the foot, falling into a deficit on defense and Allen attempting to overcompensate to dig his team out of it - rather than the composed, controlled, balanced Bills we've witnessed this year
Miami have demonstrated a varied performances this season so the verdict is uncertain on if this is the beginning of a trend, but for the Bills they'll require an immediate bounce-back in a tough game against the Buccaneers next week as the New England are sneaking into a comfortable advantage at the summit of the AFC East
Spotlight - New England Identify Route to Unexpected First Place
Regarding the Patriots, they're among three different 8-2 teams in the NFL, all American Football Conference sides, but could they be the top team?
You can pick holes in the Patriots, the Broncos and the Colts really for feasting on the weaker opponents, with only five of their total 24 victories coming against opponents with a winning record - and one of those was the Indianapolis defeating the Denver
Denver beat the reigning champion Eagles in Philly and are masters of the fourth-quarter while Indianapolis can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the New England including Sunday's victory in Tampa Bay to their primtime success in Orchard Park appears to be a statement
Their two defeats came in new head coach Vrabel's first three contests, with seven straight victories, similar to the Broncos, since then - but taking down Baker Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a week off to prepare was huge
Maye's MVP claims continue to be discussed, and he certainly deserves credit for bravery after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa Bay but hanging in there to steer his side to success
The defense is reliable and rookie rusher TreVeyon Henderson exploded on Sunday with 147 rushing yards and two exciting scores of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - becoming just the fifth different runner to exceed 22mph this year on his first score
Although you can argue who 'the top team' is technically, the Pats should be favorites to end with the best record thanks to their remaining opponents - which includes just one game against a successful opponent, albeit a huge one against Buffalo
Traveling to Baltimore is challenging too, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West with the Kansas City to play twice, the Los Angeles Chargers (who could also challenge for top seed but face the identical challenge) and additionally the Green Bay on the schedule
The Indianapolis also play the Kansas City, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two games with the 5-4 Jacksonville to face. There is a long way to go but the opportunity is open for a surprise top seed in the AFC
Next Week - Los Angeles and Seattle Set for Next Week Showdown
Two teams with solid claims to be better than all of the three different 8-2 teams are NFC West rivals the Seahawks and Rams, who both put up 40 burgers to reach seven and two before next week's major meeting between the pair in Los Angeles
They've both secured four victories in a row, have signal callers in Stafford and Sam Darnold playing at an elite level (although Darnold had ball security problems on game day) with top receivers, and defensive units giving up under 20 points a contest
Both could easily be undefeated as too - especially the Rams as their pair of losses came in extra time against the 49ers and then that painful defeat in Philly 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 late touchdown in the opening week, before falling to the final play of the game against the Buccaneers - so they're truly two of the top teams in the NFL
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the most exciting of the season to date
Player of the Week - Taylor
Jonathan Taylor might be on for a historic year after his incredible display in Germany - running for 244 rushing yards, registering three scores and adding another forty-two {receiving yards