Buffalo's Bay Day Opens New England Path to Top Spot - Highlights of Week 10 NFL Action
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Week 10 once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' saying that draws so many people into the NFL
That result could have created things up for the New England Patriots to move back into a top spot they formerly held, with a schedule that gives them an advantage over their 8-2 rivals
Over in the NFC the Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a monster clash next week, while our top performer is pursuing milestones as well as the MVP award
Analysis - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?
Was it just an emotional letdown from defeating Kansas City the previous week or a deeper issue? This remains the question for the Buffalo team to address
The Bills had won seven in a row against Miami but were outperformed from the start as the Dolphins emerged as 30-13 victors in an surprising result - and performance
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only got the squad's initial first down in the third quarter and first points in the fourth - yes the Dolphins had ten days to get ready but it was nonetheless a massive egg laid by one of the NFL's best offenses
Tua Tagovailoa passed for two scores but running back Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 total yards and two scores
Bottling up the league's best running game was also key, with Cook and company recording just eighty-six yards, their fewest of the year and slightly more than fifty percent their 161.5 yard average
Then there were the three crucial ball losses, and the pair from Josh Allen in particular. An interception in the end zone resulting in a nine-minute possession yielded no points, and his final quarter dropped ball that the Dolphins converted to seven points just two plays
It was classic 'old Buffalo' as they hurt themselves in the foot, getting into a deficit on defense and Allen trying to do too much to rescue his squad from the situation - rather than the composed, disciplined, well-balanced Buffalo team we've witnessed this year
Miami have served up a bit of everything this season so the jury's out on whether this is the beginning of something, but for the Bills they'll need an immediate bounce-back in a difficult matchup against the Buccaneers next week as the Patriots are quietly moving into a nice lead at the summit of the American Football Conference East
In Focus - Patriots See Path to Unexpected First Place
Regarding the Patriots, they're one of three different eight and two teams in the league, all AFC sides, but could they be the best?
You can find flaws in the Patriots, Denver and the Colts actually for feasting on the weaker opponents, with just five of their total 24 wins achieved against opponents with a winning record - and one example was the Colts beating the Broncos
The Broncos beat the reigning champion Eagles in Philly and are masters of the fourth-quarter while Indy can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's victory in Tampa to their prime time success in Orchard Park seems like a statement
Their pair of losses occurred in recently appointed coach Vrabel's initial three games, with seven straight victories, just like Denver, from that point - but taking down Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a bye to prepare was significant
Drake Maye's MVP claims continue to be discussed, and he definitely deserves point for courage after taking some savage hits in Tampa Bay but persevering to guide his side to victory
The defensive unit is solid and first-year running back TreVeyon Henderson exploded on Sunday with 147 yards and two exhilerating scores of 55 and 69 yards - establishing himself as just the fifth runner to exceed 22 miles per hour this year on his first score
Although you can debate who 'the top team' is technically, the Patriots should be favorites to finish with the top record due to their schedule - which includes just a single matchup against a winning team, although a huge one against Buffalo
Visiting Baltimore is challenging too, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West with the Kansas City to play twice, the Chargers (who might also compete for top seed but face the same problem) and additionally the Green Bay on the fixture list
The Colts also play the Chiefs, and have the Seahawks, San Francisco and two games with the five and four Jacksonville to contend with. There's a long way to go but the opportunity is available for a shock number one position in the AFC
Next Week - Los Angeles and Seattle Set for Week 11 Showdown
Two teams with strong arguments to be superior to all of the three different eight and two teams are NFC West rivals the Seattle and Los Angeles, who both put up 40 burgers to reach 7-2 ahead of the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster game between the pair in LA
They've both secured four victories in a consecutive games, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Darnold playing at an high standard (although Darnold had turnover issues on game day) with top receivers, and defenses giving up under 20 points a game
Both could easily be without a loss as well - 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 game-winning kick with the final play blocked and run back by the Philadelphia for a touchdown
Seattle also lost to San Francisco, with a last-minute score in week one, before losing to the final play of the game against the Buccaneers - so they are truly two of the top teams in the league
The next matchup on Sunday could be the most exciting of the year so far
Player of the Week - Taylor
Jonathan Taylor might be on for a historic year after his remarkable performance in Germany - rushing for 244 rushing yards, scoring three scores and adding another 42 {receiving yards