Buffalo's Bay Day Gives Patriots Route to Top Spot - Highlights of NFL Week 10
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Week 10 again delivered, with a major surprise for the Bills proving the 'any given Sunday' mantra that draws so many fans into the NFL
This outcome could have created opportunities for the New England Patriots to move back into a leading position they used to occupy, with a remaining games that provides them an edge over their 8-2 competitors
Meanwhile in the NFC the Seahawks and Rams had ideal outcomes to arrange a major confrontation in week 11, while our top performer is pursuing milestones as well as the MVP award
Analysis - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?
Could it simply have been an emotional comedown from beating the Chiefs last week or something more? This remains the question for the Bills to address
The Bills had secured seven victories in a consecutive games against Miami but were outperformed from the start as the Dolphins emerged as 30-13 winners in an surprising outcome - and performance
MVP Josh Allen only got the squad's initial first down in the third period and first points in the fourth - yes Miami had 10 days to get ready but it was nonetheless a significant failure produced by one of the NFL's top offences
Dolphins quarterback Tua threw two scores but running back De'Von Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 total yards and two scores
Containing the NFL's top running game 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 season average
Additionally there were the three critical ball losses, and the pair from Josh Allen specifically. An pass caught by defense in the end zone meaning a nine minute drive yielded no points, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that the Dolphins turned into a touchdown just two plays
It was classic 'old Buffalo' as they shot themselves in the foot, falling into a deficit on defense and Josh Allen attempting to overcompensate to rescue his squad from the situation - rather than the composed, disciplined, well-balanced Buffalo team we've seen this year
The Dolphins have demonstrated a bit of everything this season so the jury's out on if this is the start of something, but for the Bills they'll need an immediate bounce-back in a tough game against Tampa Bay next week as the Patriots are sneaking into a comfortable advantage at the top of the AFC East
In Focus - New England Identify Route to Unexpected First Place
Regarding the New England, they're one of three 8-2 teams in the league, all AFC sides, but could they be the best?
You can pick holes in the Patriots, Denver and Indianapolis actually for feasting on the lesser sides, with just five of their combined twenty-four victories achieved against opponents with a winning record - and one of those was the Indianapolis beating the Denver
Denver defeated the champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the fourth-quarter while Indianapolis can ride Jonathan Taylor, but the New England adding Sunday's win in Tampa to their primtime success in Orchard Park appears to be a declaration
Their two defeats came in new head coach Mike Vrabel's initial three contests, with seven consecutive wins, similar to Denver, since then - but taking down Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to prepare was huge
Maye's MVP claims won't go away, and he definitely deserves credit for bravery after taking some savage hits in Tampa but hanging in there to steer his side to success
The defensive unit is reliable and rookie rusher Henderson exploded on game day with 147 yards and two exhilerating scores of 55 and 69 yards - establishing himself as just the fifth runner to break 22 miles per hour this year on his initial touchdown
While you can argue who 'the best' is statistically, the Patriots should be favourites to finish with the best record thanks to their schedule - which includes just a single matchup against a successful opponent, although a significant contest against Buffalo
Traveling to Baltimore is challenging too, but Denver have it more difficult in the AFC West with the Kansas City to face two times, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also challenge for top seed but face the same problem) and additionally the Packers on the schedule
The Indianapolis also play the Chiefs, and have the Seahawks, San Francisco and two games with the 5-4 Jacksonville to contend with. There's a long way to go but the opportunity is available for a surprise number one position in the AFC
Coming Up - Rams & Seahawks Prepare for Week 11 Showdown
Two teams with solid claims to be better than all of the three 8-2 teams are National Football Conference West rivals the Seahawks and Los Angeles, who both scored 40 burgers to reach 7-2 ahead of the upcoming major game between the pair in Los Angeles
Both have won four in a row, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Sam Darnold playing at an elite level (although Darnold had ball security problems on Sunday) with excellent pass catchers, and defensive units giving up fewer than twenty points a contest
Each could easily be without a loss as well - especially the Rams as their two defeats came in extra time against the San Francisco and then that painful defeat in Philadelphia when they had a game-winning field goal with the last kick deflected and returned by the Philadelphia for a touchdown
Seattle also lost to San Francisco, with a last-minute score in week one, before falling to the final play of the game against the Buccaneers - so they are genuinely two of the best sides in the NFL
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the best of the season to date
Player of the Week - Jonathan Taylor
Jonathan Taylor might be on for a historic year after his incredible display in Berlin - rushing for 244 yards, registering three touchdowns and contributing an additional 42 {receiving yards