Bills' Bay Day Opens Patriots Path to AFC East Lead - Highlights of Week 10 NFL Action
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Week 10 once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that attracts so many fans into the NFL
That result could have created opportunities for the Patriots to creep back into a top spot they used to occupy, with a remaining games that provides them an edge over their 8-2 rivals
Over in the NFC the Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had perfect results to arrange a major confrontation in week 11, while our player of the week is pursuing milestones as well as the Most Valuable Player award
The Breakdown - Simply an Off Day for the Bills?
Was it just an emotional comedown from beating the Chiefs the previous week or something more? This remains the question for the Bills to answer
The Bills had won seven in a row against Miami but were second best from the beginning as the Dolphins ran out 30-13 victors in an surprising result - and display
MVP Josh Allen only achieved the squad's opening first down in the third quarter and initial scoring in the final quarter - yes the Dolphins had ten days to prepare but it was still a significant failure produced by one of the NFL's top offences
Dolphins quarterback Tua threw two scores but rusher De'Von Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 combined yards and two scores
Containing the league's best running game was crucial too, with James Cook and teammates registering just 86 yards, their fewest of the year and just over fifty percent their 161.5 yard average
Additionally there were the three crucial ball losses, and the pair from Allen in particular. An pass caught by defense in the end zone resulting in a nine-minute drive produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter fumble that Miami converted to a touchdown just later
It was classic 'old Buffalo' as they hurt themselves in the foot, falling into a hole on defensive side and Allen trying to do too much to rescue his squad out of it - rather than the composed, controlled, balanced Buffalo team we've witnessed this year
Miami have served up a bit of everything this season so the verdict is uncertain on whether this is the start of something, but for the Bills they'll require an instant response in a difficult matchup against Tampa Bay next week as the New England are quietly moving into a nice lead at the top of the AFC East
Spotlight - New England Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed
Speaking of the Patriots, they're among three eight and two teams in the league, all American Football Conference teams, but are they the top team?
One could pick holes in New England, the Broncos and Indianapolis really for dominating the lesser sides, with only five of their total 24 wins coming against teams with a winning record - and one example was the Indianapolis beating the Broncos
Denver defeated the reigning champion Eagles in Philly and are masters of the final quarter while Indianapolis can ride Taylor, but the New England including Sunday's victory in Tampa Bay to their prime time success in Orchard Park appears to be a declaration
Their pair of losses occurred in new head coach Mike Vrabel's initial three games, with seven consecutive victories, similar to the Broncos, from that point - but taking down Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to get ready was significant
Drake Maye's MVP claims won't go away, and he definitely deserves point for courage after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa but hanging in there to guide his team to success
The defensive unit is reliable and first-year rusher TreVeyon Henderson exploded on game day with 147 yards and two exciting touchdowns of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - establishing himself as just the fifth different runner to exceed 22mph this season on his initial touchdown
While you can debate who 'the best' is statistically, the Patriots should be favorites to finish with the top record thanks to their remaining opponents - which includes just one game against a successful opponent, albeit a huge one against Buffalo
Visiting Baltimore is also tough, but Denver have it more difficult in the AFC West division with the Kansas City to face two times, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also compete for first place but face the same problem) and additionally the Packers on the schedule
The Indianapolis also play the Kansas City, 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 door is open for a surprise top seed in the AFC
Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Prepare for Week 11 Showdown
Both squads with strong arguments to be better than all of the three 8-2 teams are NFC West rivals the Seahawks and Los Angeles, who both put up 40 burgers to reach seven and two ahead of the upcoming major meeting between the two in LA
Both have won four in a row, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Darnold playing at an high standard (although Sam Darnold had turnover issues on game day) with excellent pass catchers, and defenses giving up fewer than twenty points a game
Each could realistically be without a loss as too - especially the Rams as their pair of losses occurred in extra time against the San Francisco and then that painful defeat in Philadelphia when they had a potentially winning field goal with the final play blocked and returned by the Eagles for a touchdown
Seattle were also defeated to San Francisco, with a last-minute score in the opening week, before losing to the last kick of the contest against the Buccaneers - so they're truly among the best sides in the league
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 record season after his incredible display in Berlin - running for 244 rushing yards, registering three touchdowns and adding an additional forty-two {receiving yards