Bills' Bay Day Opens 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 huge upset for the Buffalo Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that attracts so many people into the NFL
That result may have opened things up for the Patriots to creep back into a top spot they used to occupy, with a remaining games that gives them an edge over their eight and two rivals
Over in the National Football Conference the Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had ideal outcomes to arrange a major confrontation next week, while our top performer is pursuing milestones as well as the MVP award
The Breakdown - Just a Bad Day for the Bills?
Was it just an emotional letdown from beating the Chiefs the previous week or a deeper issue? That's the question for the Buffalo team to address
The Buffalo squad had won seven in a row against the Dolphins but were second best from the beginning as the Dolphins ran out 30-13 victors in an surprising result - and performance
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only got the team's opening first down in the third period and initial scoring in the final quarter - yes the Dolphins had 10 days to get ready but it was nonetheless a massive egg produced by one of the league's top offences
Dolphins quarterback Tua threw two scores but rusher De'Von Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 total yards and two scores
Containing the NFL's top rushing attack was also key, with Cook and company registering just eighty-six yards, their fewest of the year and just over half their 161.5 yard average
Additionally there were the three critical ball losses, and the pair from Allen in particular. An interception in the end zone meaning a nine minute drive yielded no points, and his final quarter dropped ball that Miami turned into seven points just two plays
It was classic 'old Buffalo' as they shot themselves in the foot, getting into a deficit on defense and Josh Allen trying to overcompensate to rescue his squad from the situation - rather than the composed, controlled, balanced Bills we've seen this season
The Dolphins have demonstrated a varied performances this year so the jury's out on whether this is the beginning of something, but for Buffalo they'll require an instant response in a difficult matchup against Tampa Bay in week 11 as the New England are quietly moving into a comfortable advantage at the summit of the AFC East
In Focus - Patriots See Path to Surprise Top Seed
Speaking of the Patriots, they're among three eight and two squads in the league, all American Football Conference sides, but are they the top team?
You can find flaws in New England, Denver and the Colts actually for dominating the lesser sides, with only five of their total 24 wins coming against teams 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 Indy can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's victory in Tampa to their primtime win in Orchard Park seems like a declaration
Their pair of losses occurred in new head coach Mike Vrabel's initial three games, with seven consecutive wins, similar to Denver, since then - but taking down Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a bye to prepare was significant
Maye's MVP claims continue to be discussed, and he certainly deserves point for courage after taking some hard tackles in Tampa but hanging in there to steer his side to success
The defense is reliable and first-year running back Henderson burst onto the scene on Sunday with 147 yards and two exciting touchdowns of 55 and 69 yards - becoming just the fifth different runner to break 22 miles per hour this year on his initial touchdown
Although you can debate who 'the top team' is statistically, the Patriots should be favourites to finish with the top record due to their schedule - which features just a single matchup against a successful opponent, although a significant contest against the Bills
Traveling to Baltimore is challenging too, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Kansas City to face two times, the Chargers (who could also compete for first place but encounter the same problem) and also the Green Bay on the fixture list
The Colts also face the Kansas City, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two games with the 5-4 Jaguars to face. There's a considerable distance to travel but the opportunity is available for a surprise number one position in the American Football Conference
Coming Up - Los Angeles and Seattle Set for Next Week Showdown
Both squads with solid claims to be superior to all of the three 8-2 teams are National Football Conference West rivals the Seahawks and Los Angeles, who each scored forty points to reach 7-2 before next week's Hollywood blockbuster meeting between the pair in Los Angeles
Both have won four in a consecutive games, have quarterbacks in Matthew Stafford and Darnold playing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on game day) with top receivers, and defensive units giving up fewer than twenty points a contest
Each could realistically be undefeated as well - particularly the Los Angeles as their pair of losses occurred in overtime against the San Francisco and then that painful defeat in Philadelphia when they had a potentially winning field goal with the final play blocked and returned by the Philadelphia for a touchdown
Seattle were also defeated to the 49ers, with a late touchdown in the opening week, before falling to the last kick of the game against the Buccaneers - so they're truly two of the best sides in the NFL
The next matchup on Sunday could be the most exciting of the season to date
Player of the Week - Jonathan Taylor
Taylor could be on for a historic year after his incredible display in Berlin - rushing for 244 yards, registering three touchdowns and adding another 42 {receiving yards