Buffalo's Bay Day Gives Patriots Route to Top Spot - Best of Week 10 NFL Action
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Week 10 once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' saying that draws so many people into the NFL
That result could have created things up for the New England Patriots to creep back into a leading position they used to occupy, with a remaining games that provides them an advantage over their 8-2 rivals
Over in the National Football Conference the Seahawks and Rams had perfect results to set up a monster clash next week, while our player of the week is pursuing milestones as well as the MVP award
Analysis - Simply an Off Day for the Bills?
Was it just an emotional comedown from beating the Chiefs the previous week or something more? That's the question for the Buffalo team to answer
The Buffalo squad had won seven in a row against the Dolphins but were second best from the beginning as the Miami team emerged as 30-13 victors in an eye-opening result - and performance
MVP Josh Allen only achieved the team's initial first down in the third quarter and first points in the fourth - admittedly the Dolphins had ten days to prepare but it was nonetheless a massive egg laid by one of the NFL's best offenses
Dolphins quarterback Tua threw two scores but running back De'Von Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 total yards and two scores
Containing the league's best running game was crucial too, with James Cook and teammates registering just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the year and just over half their 161.5 yard average
Then there were the three critical turnovers, and the two from Josh Allen in particular. An pass caught by defense in the end zone resulting in a nine minute drive yielded no points, and his fourth-quarter fumble that Miami converted to seven points just two plays
It was classic 'previous Bills teams' as they shot themselves in the foot, getting into a deficit on defense and Allen attempting to do too much to dig his team out of it - not the composed, disciplined, balanced Bills we've witnessed this year
The Dolphins have served up a varied performances this year so the jury's out on if this is the start of a trend, but for the Bills they'll need an instant response in a tough game against the Buccaneers in week 11 as the Patriots are quietly moving into a comfortable advantage at the top of the American Football Conference East
In Focus - Patriots Identify Route to Unexpected First Place
Regarding the New England, they're one of three eight and two teams in the NFL, all AFC sides, but could they be the best?
You can find flaws in New England, Denver and the Colts really for dominating the weaker opponents, with just five of their total 24 wins coming against teams with a winning record - and one example was the Colts beating the Broncos
Denver defeated the champion Eagles in Philly and are masters of the fourth-quarter while Indy can rely on Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's win in Tampa Bay to their primtime win in Orchard Park seems like a declaration
Their two defeats occurred in new head coach Mike Vrabel's initial three contests, with seven straight victories, just like Denver, since then - but defeating Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a week off to prepare was huge
Maye's MVP claims won't go away, and he definitely earns point for bravery after taking some hard tackles in Tampa but hanging in there to steer his side to victory
The defense is reliable and rookie rusher Henderson burst onto the scene 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 22 miles per hour this year on his first score
While you can debate who 'the top team' is statistically, the Patriots should be favorites to end with the top record thanks to their remaining opponents - which includes just one game against a successful opponent, albeit a significant contest against the Bills
Visiting the Ravens is challenging too, but Denver have it more difficult in the AFC West with the Kansas City to play twice, the Chargers (who might also challenge for first place but face the identical challenge) and also the Green Bay on the fixture list
The Colts also play the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two matchups with the 5-4 Jaguars to contend with. There is a long way to travel but the door is open for a shock number one position in the American Football Conference
Next Week - Los Angeles and Seattle Prepare for Week 11 Showdown
Two teams with solid claims to be superior to all of the three different 8-2 sides are National Football Conference West opponents the Seahawks and Los Angeles, who each scored forty points to reach seven and two before the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster meeting between the pair in Los Angeles
They've both secured four victories in a consecutive games, have signal callers in Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold performing at an elite level (although Darnold had turnover issues on game day) with top receivers, and defensive units giving up under 20 points a game
Each could realistically be without a loss as too - especially the Rams as their two defeats occurred in extra time against the 49ers and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a potentially winning field goal with the final play blocked and run back by the Eagles for a touchdown
The Seahawks also lost to the 49ers, with a last-minute score in week one, before losing to the final play of the contest against the Buccaneers - so they're truly among the top teams in the league
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the best of the year so far
Player of the Week - Jonathan Taylor
Jonathan Taylor could be on for a historic year after his incredible display in Germany - rushing for 244 rushing yards, registering three scores and contributing another forty-two {receiving yards