Buffalo's Bay Day Gives Patriots Route to Top Spot - Best of NFL Week 10
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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 draws so many people into the National Football League
That result may have opened opportunities for the New England Patriots to creep back into a leading position they formerly held, with a schedule that gives them an advantage over their 8-2 competitors
Over in the National Football Conference the Seahawks and Rams had perfect results to arrange a major confrontation next week, while our top performer is chasing records as well as the Most Valuable Player award
Analysis - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?
Was it just an emotional comedown from beating the Chiefs the previous week or something more? This remains the question for the Bills to address
The Bills had secured seven victories in a row against the Dolphins but were second best from the start as the Dolphins emerged as 30-13 winners in an surprising outcome - and performance
MVP Josh Allen only achieved the squad's initial first down in the third period and initial scoring in the final quarter - admittedly the Dolphins had ten days to get ready but it was nonetheless a significant failure laid by one of the NFL's best offenses
Tua Tagovailoa passed for two touchdowns but running back Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 total yards and two touchdowns
Containing the league's best running game was crucial too, with Cook and teammates recording just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the year and just over half their 161.5 yard season average
Then there were the three crucial turnovers, and the pair from Allen specifically. An interception in the scoring area resulting in a nine-minute drive yielded no points, and his final quarter dropped ball that Miami turned into seven points just later
It was typical 'old Buffalo' as they shot themselves in the foot, falling into a deficit on defense and Allen attempting to overcompensate to dig his team from the situation - rather than the composed, disciplined, balanced Bills we've seen this year
Miami have served up a varied performances this year so the verdict is uncertain on whether this is the beginning of a trend, but for Buffalo they'll require an immediate bounce-back in a difficult matchup against Tampa Bay next week as the New England are sneaking into a comfortable advantage at the summit of the AFC East
Spotlight - New England Identify Route to Unexpected First Place
Speaking of the Patriots, they're one of three different 8-2 squads in the league, all AFC sides, but could they be the top team?
One could find flaws in New England, Denver and Indianapolis really for dominating the lesser sides, with just five of their total 24 victories coming against opponents with a winning record - and one of those was the Colts beating the Broncos
Denver defeated the champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the fourth-quarter while Indy can ride Taylor, but the New England adding Sunday's win in Tampa Bay to their primtime success in Buffalo appears to be a statement
Their two defeats came in new head coach Mike Vrabel's initial three contests, with seven straight wins, just like Denver, from that point - but taking down Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a bye to get ready was huge
Drake Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials won't go away, and he definitely deserves point for bravery after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa but hanging in there to steer his side to success
The defense is solid and first-year running back Henderson exploded on game day with 147 rushing yards and two exhilerating scores of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - establishing himself as just the fifth different ball carrier to break 22mph this season on his initial touchdown
Although you can argue who 'the best' is technically, the Pats should be favorites to end with the top record thanks to their remaining opponents - which includes just one game against a winning team, although a huge one against Buffalo
Traveling to the Ravens is challenging too, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to face two times, the Chargers (who might also challenge for top seed but encounter the identical challenge) and additionally the Packers on the schedule
The Indianapolis also play the Kansas City, and have the Seahawks, 49ers and two games with the 5-4 Jaguars to face. There's a considerable distance to go but the door is open for a shock top seed in the AFC
Coming Up - Rams & Seahawks Prepare for Week 11 Showdown
Both squads with strong arguments to be better than all of the three 8-2 sides are National Football Conference West opponents the Seahawks and Rams, who each scored forty points to reach 7-2 ahead of the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster meeting between the two in LA
They've both won four in a consecutive games, have signal callers in Matthew Stafford and Darnold performing at an high standard (although Sam Darnold had turnover issues on Sunday) with excellent pass catchers, and defensive units allowing under 20 points a game
Both could easily be undefeated as too - especially the Los Angeles as their two defeats came in overtime against the 49ers and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a potentially winning kick with the final play deflected and run back by the Philadelphia for a score
Seattle were also defeated to San Francisco, 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 among the top teams in the NFL
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the best of the season to date
Top Performer - Jonathan Taylor
Jonathan Taylor could be on for a historic year after his incredible display in Germany - rushing for 244 rushing yards, scoring three touchdowns and adding an additional forty-two {receiving yards