Buffalo's Bay Day Opens Patriots 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 Buffalo Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that draws so many people into the NFL
This outcome may have opened opportunities 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 8-2 rivals
Over in the NFC the Seattle Seahawks and Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a major confrontation in week 11, while our top performer is chasing records as well as the Most Valuable Player award
Analysis - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?
Could it simply have been an emotional letdown from beating the Chiefs the previous week or something more? That's the question for the Buffalo team to address
The Bills had secured seven victories in a row against the Dolphins but were outperformed from the beginning as the Dolphins emerged as 30-13 victors in an surprising outcome - and performance
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the squad's initial first down in the third period and first points in the fourth - yes Miami had ten days to prepare but it was nonetheless a massive egg produced by one of the NFL's best offenses
Dolphins quarterback Tua threw two touchdowns but running back 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 company registering just 86 yards, their lowest of the year and slightly more than half their 161.5-yard season average
Additionally there were the three critical turnovers, and the two from Josh Allen specifically. An interception in the scoring area meaning a nine-minute possession produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that Miami turned into a touchdown just later
It was typical 'previous Bills teams' as they hurt themselves in the foot, getting into a deficit on defensive side and Josh Allen trying to overcompensate to rescue his squad out of it - rather than the calm, controlled, well-balanced Bills we've witnessed this year
The Dolphins have served up a bit of everything this season so the verdict is uncertain on if this is the start of something, but for Buffalo they'll require an instant response in a difficult matchup against the Buccaneers in week 11 as the New England are sneaking into a nice lead at the top of the American Football Conference East
In Focus - Patriots See Path to Unexpected First Place
Speaking of the Patriots, they're among three eight and two squads in the league, all AFC teams, but are they the best?
You can pick holes in New England, the Broncos and Indianapolis really for feasting on the weaker opponents, with only five of their total twenty-four victories coming against opponents with a positive record - and one example was the Colts defeating the Broncos
The Broncos defeated the champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the fourth-quarter while Indianapolis can ride Taylor, but the New England adding Sunday's victory in Tampa Bay to their primtime success in Orchard Park appears to be a statement
Their pair of losses occurred in new head coach Mike Vrabel's first three contests, with seven consecutive victories, just like the Broncos, since then - but defeating Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a week off to prepare was significant
Drake Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials continue to be discussed, and he certainly earns credit for courage after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa Bay but persevering to guide his team to success
The defense is reliable and first-year running back TreVeyon Henderson burst onto the scene on game day with 147 rushing yards and two exhilerating scores of 55 and 69 yards - becoming just the fifth different runner to exceed 22mph this year on his initial touchdown
While you can debate who 'the best' is technically, the Pats should be favourites to end with the best record thanks to their schedule - which features just one game against a winning team, although a huge one against Buffalo
Traveling to Baltimore is challenging too, but the Broncos have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Kansas City to play twice, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also compete for top seed but face the identical challenge) and additionally the Packers on the schedule
The Indianapolis also play the Kansas City, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two games with the 5-4 Jaguars to face. There's a long way to travel but the door is open for a surprise number one position in the American Football Conference
Next Week - Los Angeles and Seattle Set for Next Week Clash
Two teams with solid claims to be superior to all of the three 8-2 sides are NFC West rivals the Seahawks and Los Angeles, who each put up forty points to go to seven and two ahead of next week's Hollywood blockbuster meeting between the pair in LA
Both have secured four victories in a row, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Darnold performing at an elite level (although Darnold had ball security problems on Sunday) with top receivers, and defenses allowing fewer than twenty points a contest
Each could easily be without a loss as too - particularly the Rams as their two defeats occurred in overtime against the San Francisco and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a potentially winning kick with the final play blocked and returned by the Philadelphia for a score
The Seahawks were also defeated to the 49ers, with a late touchdown in the opening week, before losing to the final play of the contest against the Tampa Bay - so they are truly two of the best sides in the NFL
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the most exciting of the year to date
Player of the Week - Taylor
Jonathan Taylor might be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Germany - rushing for 244 rushing yards, registering three scores and contributing an additional forty-two {receiving yards