Bills' Bay Day Gives Patriots Route to Top Spot - Best of Week 10 NFL Action
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Week 10 again delivered, with a huge upset for the Buffalo Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' saying that draws so many people into the National Football League
This outcome may have opened opportunities for the New England Patriots to move back into a top spot they used to occupy, with a schedule that provides them an edge over their eight and two competitors
Meanwhile in the NFC the Seahawks and Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a major confrontation next week, while our player of the week is chasing records as well as the MVP award
The Breakdown - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?
Was it just an emotional letdown from beating the Chiefs last week or something more? That's the question for the Bills to answer
The Buffalo squad had secured seven victories in a row against the Dolphins but were second best from the start as the Miami team ran out 30-13 victors in an eye-opening outcome - and performance
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only got the team's initial first down in the third quarter and initial scoring in the fourth - yes Miami had 10 days to get ready but it was still a significant failure laid by one of the league's top offences
Tua Tagovailoa passed for two touchdowns 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 also key, with Cook and teammates recording just 86 yards, their fewest of the season and just over fifty percent their 161.5 yard average
Then there were the three critical ball losses, and the pair from Allen in particular. An interception in the end zone resulting in a nine minute possession produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter fumble that Miami converted to seven points just two plays
It was typical 'previous Bills teams' as they shot themselves in the foot, falling into a deficit on defensive side and Josh Allen attempting to do too much to rescue his squad from the situation - rather than the calm, controlled, balanced Buffalo team we've witnessed this year
The Dolphins have served up a varied performances this year so the verdict is uncertain on whether this is the beginning of something, but for the Bills they'll require an immediate bounce-back in a tough game against the Buccaneers in week 11 as the Patriots are sneaking into a nice lead at the summit of the American Football Conference East
Spotlight - New England Identify Route to Unexpected First Place
Regarding the New England, they're among three 8-2 squads in the NFL, all AFC sides, but are they the best?
You can pick holes in the Patriots, the Broncos and Indianapolis really for feasting on the weaker opponents, with just five of their total twenty-four victories achieved against opponents with a winning record - and one of those was the Indianapolis beating the Denver
The Broncos beat the reigning champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the final quarter while Indy can rely on Taylor, but the New England adding Sunday's victory in Tampa to their prime time success in Buffalo seems like a statement
Their two defeats came in recently appointed coach Mike Vrabel's first three games, with seven consecutive wins, just like the Broncos, since then - but defeating Mayfield after the Bucs had a week off to prepare was significant
Maye's MVP claims won't go away, and he certainly earns point for courage after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa Bay but hanging in there to guide his side to victory
The defensive unit is reliable and first-year running back Henderson burst onto the scene on game day with 147 rushing yards and two exciting touchdowns of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - becoming just the fifth runner to exceed 22 miles per hour this year on his first score
While you can debate who 'the best' is statistically, the Patriots should be favourites to finish with the top record thanks to their remaining opponents - which includes just one game against a winning team, albeit a significant contest against the Bills
Visiting the Ravens is also tough, but the Broncos have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to face two times, the Chargers (who might also compete for top seed but encounter the identical challenge) and also the Green Bay on the schedule
The Indianapolis also face the Chiefs, and have the Seahawks, San Francisco and two matchups with the 5-4 Jacksonville to contend with. There's a considerable distance to go but the opportunity is open for a surprise top seed in the AFC
Next Week - Los Angeles and Seattle Set for Week 11 Showdown
Both squads with solid claims to be better than all of the three eight and two sides are NFC West opponents the Seattle and Rams, who both scored forty points to reach seven and two ahead of the upcoming major game between the pair in Los Angeles
They've both won four in a consecutive games, have quarterbacks in Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold performing at an high standard (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on game day) with excellent pass catchers, and defenses allowing under 20 points a game
Each could realistically be without a loss as well - particularly the Rams as their pair of losses 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 deflected and run back by the Eagles for a score
The Seahawks also lost to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in week one, before falling to the last kick of the contest against the Tampa Bay - so they are genuinely among the top teams in the NFL
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the most exciting of the season so far
Player of the Week - Taylor
Jonathan Taylor could be on for a historic year after his remarkable performance in Germany - rushing for 244 yards, registering three touchdowns and contributing an additional forty-two {receiving yards