Bills' Bay Day Opens New England 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 fans into the NFL
This outcome could have created opportunities for the Patriots to move back into a top spot they formerly held, with a remaining games that provides them an advantage over their 8-2 rivals
Meanwhile in the NFC the Seattle Seahawks and Rams had perfect results to set up a major confrontation next week, while our top performer is pursuing milestones as well as the MVP award
Analysis - Just a Bad Day for the Bills?
Was it just an emotional letdown from beating the Chiefs last week or a deeper issue? That's the question for the Buffalo team to address
The Bills had won seven in a consecutive games against Miami but were second best from the beginning as the Dolphins emerged as 30-13 winners in an surprising result - and display
MVP Josh Allen only achieved the squad's opening first down in the third period and initial scoring in the fourth - admittedly the Dolphins had ten days to get ready but it was nonetheless a massive egg produced by one of the league's best offenses
Tua Tagovailoa passed for two scores but rusher De'Von Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 total yards and two touchdowns
Containing the NFL's top rushing attack was crucial too, with James Cook and company recording just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the year and slightly more than half their 161.5-yard season average
Then there were the three crucial ball losses, and the two from Allen in particular. An pass caught by defense in the end zone meaning a nine minute drive produced nothing, and his final quarter dropped ball that Miami turned into a touchdown just later
It was typical 'old Buffalo' as they shot themselves in the foot, getting into a hole on defensive side and Josh Allen attempting to do too much to dig his team from the situation - rather than the composed, disciplined, balanced Bills we've witnessed this season
Miami have served up a varied performances this season so the verdict is uncertain on whether this is the start of something, but for Buffalo they'll require an instant response in a difficult matchup against Tampa Bay in week 11 as the Patriots are sneaking into a nice lead at the top of the AFC East
Spotlight - Patriots Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed
Regarding the New England, they're among three eight and two squads in the NFL, all AFC teams, but are they the best?
You can pick holes in New England, Denver and Indianapolis actually for feasting on the weaker opponents, with just five of their combined twenty-four wins achieved against opponents with a positive record - and one example was the Indianapolis beating the Broncos
The Broncos defeated the champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the final quarter while Indianapolis can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots including Sunday's victory in Tampa Bay to their prime time success in Buffalo appears to be a declaration
Their pair of losses occurred in new head coach Vrabel's first three games, with seven straight wins, similar to Denver, from that point - but taking down Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to prepare was significant
Drake Maye's MVP claims won't go away, and he certainly earns point for bravery after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa Bay but hanging in there to steer his team to victory
The defensive unit is reliable and rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson exploded on Sunday with 147 yards and two exciting scores of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - establishing himself as just the fifth ball carrier to break 22mph this season on his initial touchdown
Although you can debate who 'the top team' is statistically, the Patriots should be favourites to finish with the best record due to their schedule - which includes just a single matchup against a successful opponent, although a huge one against Buffalo
Traveling to Baltimore is also tough, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West with the Chiefs to play twice, the Los Angeles Chargers (who could also compete for first place but encounter the identical challenge) and also the Packers on the schedule
The Indianapolis also play the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two games with the 5-4 Jaguars to contend with. There is a considerable distance to travel but the opportunity is available for a shock top seed in the American Football Conference
Coming Up - Los Angeles and Seattle Set for Next Week Showdown
Two teams with solid claims to be superior to all of the three 8-2 sides are NFC West opponents the Seahawks and Los Angeles, who both scored 40 burgers to go to 7-2 ahead of the upcoming major game between the two in LA
They've both won four in a consecutive games, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Sam Darnold playing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on Sunday) with excellent pass catchers, and defenses giving up fewer than twenty points a game
Each could realistically be undefeated as too - particularly the Los Angeles as their two defeats came in overtime against the San Francisco and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a potentially winning kick with the final play deflected and run back by the Eagles for a touchdown
The Seahawks also lost to the 49ers, with a late touchdown in week one, before falling to the last kick of the game against the Tampa Bay - so they're genuinely among the best sides in the league
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the most exciting of the season to date
Top Performer - Taylor
Jonathan Taylor could be on for a record season after his incredible display in Germany - running for 244 rushing yards, registering three scores and contributing another 42 {receiving yards