Buffalo's Bay Day Gives Patriots Route to AFC East Lead - Best of Week 10 NFL Action
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The tenth week once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' saying that draws so many fans into the National Football League
This outcome could have created opportunities for the Patriots to creep back into a leading position they formerly held, with a remaining games that gives them an advantage over their 8-2 competitors
Over in the NFC the Seahawks and Rams had perfect results to arrange a major confrontation in week 11, while our player of the week is pursuing milestones as well as the MVP award
Analysis - Simply an Off Day for the Bills?
Could it simply have been an emotional comedown from beating the Chiefs last week or something more? This remains the question for the Bills to answer
The Buffalo squad had won seven in a row against Miami but were outperformed from the beginning as the Dolphins ran out 30-13 victors in an surprising result - and display
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the team's initial first down in the third period and initial scoring in the fourth - admittedly Miami had ten days to prepare but it was still a massive egg laid by one of the league's best offenses
Tua Tagovailoa passed for two scores but running back Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 combined yards and two scores
Bottling up the NFL's top rushing attack was crucial too, with Cook and company recording just 86 yards, their fewest of the season and just over half their 161.5 yard average
Additionally there were the three crucial ball losses, and the two from Josh Allen specifically. An interception in the scoring area resulting in a nine minute drive produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that the Dolphins converted to a touchdown just two plays
It was typical 'old Buffalo' as they shot themselves in the foot, falling into a hole on defense and Allen attempting to overcompensate to dig his team out of it - rather than the calm, disciplined, balanced Bills we've witnessed this season
Miami have served up a bit of everything this year so the jury's out on if this is the start of a trend, but for the Bills they'll need an immediate bounce-back in a difficult matchup against the Buccaneers in week 11 as the New England are sneaking into a comfortable advantage at the top of the American Football Conference East
In Focus - Patriots See Path to Surprise Top Seed
Speaking of the New England, they're among three different eight and two squads in the league, all American Football Conference sides, but could they be the best?
One could pick holes in the Patriots, Denver and Indianapolis really for dominating the lesser sides, with just five of their total twenty-four wins achieved against opponents with a winning record - and one of those was the Colts defeating the Broncos
Denver beat the reigning champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are masters of the fourth-quarter while Indy can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the New England including Sunday's victory in Tampa Bay to their prime time win in Orchard Park appears to be a statement
Their two defeats occurred in new head coach Vrabel's initial three contests, with seven consecutive wins, similar to Denver, from that point - but taking down Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a week off to get ready was significant
Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials won't go away, and he certainly earns point for bravery after taking some hard tackles in Tampa Bay but hanging in there to guide his side to victory
The defense is solid and first-year running back TreVeyon Henderson exploded on game day with 147 rushing yards and two exhilerating scores of 55 and 69 yards - becoming just the fifth ball carrier to break 22 miles per hour this year on his initial touchdown
While you can debate who 'the top team' is technically, the Patriots should be favourites to end with the top record thanks to their schedule - which features just a single matchup against a successful opponent, although a huge one against Buffalo
Traveling to the Ravens is challenging too, but the Broncos have it more difficult in the AFC West division with the Kansas City to face two times, the Chargers (who might also compete for top seed but encounter the same problem) and additionally the Packers on the fixture list
The Indianapolis also face the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, San Francisco and two games with the 5-4 Jaguars to contend with. There is a long way to go but the door is open for a shock top seed in the American Football Conference
Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Set for Week 11 Showdown
Both squads with strong arguments to be superior to all of the three different eight and two sides are NFC West rivals the Seattle and Los Angeles, who each scored 40 burgers to reach 7-2 ahead of next week's major meeting between the pair in Los Angeles
They've both secured four victories in a row, have quarterbacks in Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold performing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on Sunday) with top receivers, and defensive units giving up under 20 points a contest
Each could easily be undefeated as well - particularly the Rams as their two defeats came in overtime against the San Francisco and then that painful defeat in Philadelphia when they had a game-winning field goal with the final play blocked and returned by the Philadelphia for a touchdown
The Seahawks were also defeated to the 49ers, with a last-minute score in the opening week, before falling to the final play of the contest against the Buccaneers - so they're truly two of the best sides in the NFL
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the best of the year so far
Player of the Week - Jonathan Taylor
Taylor might be on for a historic year after his remarkable performance in Germany - rushing for 244 yards, scoring three scores and contributing another forty-two {receiving yards