Buffalo's Bay Day Gives New England Route to Top Spot - Best of Week 10 NFL Action
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The tenth week again delivered, with a major surprise for the Bills demonstrating the 'any given Sunday' mantra that draws so many people into the NFL
This outcome may have opened things up for the New England Patriots to move back into a leading position they formerly held, with a schedule that gives them an advantage over their eight and two competitors
Over in the NFC the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had ideal outcomes to arrange a monster clash next week, while our player of the week is pursuing milestones 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 last week or a deeper issue? That's the question for the Bills to answer
The Buffalo squad had won seven in a consecutive games against the Dolphins but were second best from the start as the Miami team emerged as 30-13 victors in an eye-opening outcome - and performance
MVP Josh Allen only achieved the squad's opening first down in the third quarter and initial scoring in the final quarter - admittedly Miami had ten days to prepare but it was nonetheless a massive egg produced by one of the NFL's top offences
Tua Tagovailoa passed for two scores but rusher De'Von Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 combined yards and two touchdowns
Containing the NFL's top rushing attack was crucial too, with Cook and teammates registering just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the season and slightly more than fifty percent their 161.5-yard average
Additionally there were the three crucial ball losses, and the pair from Josh Allen in particular. An pass caught by defense in the scoring area resulting in a nine minute drive produced nothing, and his final quarter dropped ball that the Dolphins converted to seven points just later
It was typical 'previous Bills teams' as they hurt themselves in the foot, getting into a deficit on defensive side and Allen trying to overcompensate to rescue his squad from the situation - rather than the composed, disciplined, balanced Bills we've witnessed this season
The Dolphins have served up a bit of everything this year so the verdict is uncertain on whether this is the beginning of something, but for the Bills they'll require an immediate bounce-back in a tough game against Tampa Bay next week as the New England are sneaking into a nice lead at the top of the American Football Conference East
In Focus - New England See Path to Surprise Top Seed
Speaking of the Patriots, they're one of three 8-2 teams in the NFL, all AFC sides, but are they the top team?
You can find flaws in New England, Denver and Indianapolis really for dominating the weaker opponents, with just five of their total twenty-four victories coming against opponents with a winning record - and one of those was the Indianapolis beating the Denver
Denver beat the reigning champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the final quarter while Indianapolis can rely on Taylor, but the Patriots including Sunday's win in Tampa Bay to their primtime success in Buffalo appears to be a declaration
Their two defeats came in recently appointed coach Vrabel's first three games, with seven consecutive victories, similar to Denver, since then - but defeating Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to prepare was huge
Drake Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials continue to be discussed, and he definitely deserves point for bravery after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa but persevering to guide his side to victory
The defense is solid and first-year running back TreVeyon Henderson burst onto the scene on Sunday with 147 rushing yards and two exhilerating touchdowns of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - becoming just the fifth ball carrier to break 22 miles per hour this year on his first score
Although you can argue who 'the top team' is technically, the Patriots should be favorites to end with the top record thanks to their remaining opponents - which features just one game against a winning team, albeit a huge one against Buffalo
Traveling to the Ravens is challenging too, but Denver have it more difficult in the AFC West division with the Kansas City to play twice, the Chargers (who could also challenge for first place but face the same problem) and also the Packers on the fixture list
The Colts also face the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two games with the 5-4 Jaguars to contend with. There is a considerable distance to go but the door is available for a surprise top seed in the American Football Conference
Coming Up - Rams & Seahawks Set for Week 11 Clash
Two teams with solid claims to be better than all of the three 8-2 sides are National Football Conference West rivals the Seattle and Rams, who each put up forty points to go to seven and two before the upcoming major meeting between the pair in LA
Both have won four in a row, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Darnold playing at an high standard (although Darnold had turnover issues on Sunday) with excellent pass catchers, and defenses giving up under 20 points a contest
Both could easily be undefeated as too - especially the Los Angeles as their pair of losses came in overtime against the San Francisco and then that painful defeat in Philly when they had a potentially winning field goal with the final play deflected and returned by the Philadelphia for a touchdown
Seattle were also defeated to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in the opening week, before losing to the final play of the contest against the Buccaneers - so they are genuinely two of the best sides in the league
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the most exciting of the season to date
Top Performer - Jonathan Taylor
Taylor could be on for a record season after his incredible display in Germany - running for 244 rushing yards, scoring three touchdowns and adding an additional forty-two {receiving yards