Bills' Bay Day Opens New England Route to Top Spot - Highlights of NFL Week 10
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Week 10 again delivered, with a huge upset for the Buffalo Bills proving the 'any given Sunday' mantra that draws so many people into the National Football League
That result could have created things up for the Patriots to creep back into a leading position they formerly held, with a schedule that gives them an edge over their eight and two competitors
Over in the NFC the Seahawks and Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a monster clash next week, while our top performer is chasing records as well as the MVP award
Analysis - Just a Bad Day for Buffalo?
Was it just an emotional comedown from defeating Kansas City the previous week or a deeper issue? That's the question for the Buffalo team to answer
The Bills had secured seven victories in a row against the Dolphins but were second best from the start as the Dolphins ran out 30-13 winners in an surprising result - and performance
MVP Josh Allen only achieved the team's initial first down in the third period and first points in the final quarter - admittedly Miami had 10 days to prepare but it was still a significant failure produced by one of the league's best offenses
Dolphins quarterback Tua threw two scores but rusher De'Von Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 total yards and two touchdowns
Bottling up the NFL's top rushing attack was also key, with Cook and teammates registering just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the year and slightly more than fifty percent their 161.5-yard season average
Then there were the three critical ball losses, and the two from Allen in particular. An interception in the end zone resulting in a nine-minute drive produced nothing, and his final quarter dropped ball that Miami turned into a touchdown just two plays
It was classic 'old Buffalo' as they shot themselves in the foot, falling into a hole on defensive side and Allen attempting to overcompensate to dig his team out of it - rather than the calm, disciplined, well-balanced Buffalo team we've witnessed this year
Miami have served up a bit of everything this year so the verdict is uncertain on if this is the start of something, but for Buffalo they'll need an immediate bounce-back in a tough game against Tampa Bay 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 Patriots, they're one of three 8-2 teams in the NFL, all AFC 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 combined twenty-four wins achieved against teams with a winning record - and one example was the Indianapolis beating the Broncos
The Broncos beat the champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the fourth-quarter while Indianapolis can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the New England including Sunday's win in Tampa to their primtime success in Orchard Park appears to be a statement
Their two defeats occurred in new head coach Mike Vrabel's initial three games, with seven consecutive wins, similar to the Broncos, since then - but defeating Baker Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a week off to prepare was huge
Drake Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials won't go away, and he definitely earns credit for bravery after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa but persevering to guide his side to success
The defense is reliable and rookie rusher 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 runner to break 22 miles per hour this year on his initial touchdown
Although you can debate who 'the top team' is statistically, the Pats should be favourites to finish with the best record thanks to their remaining opponents - which features just a single matchup against a successful opponent, although a significant contest against Buffalo
Visiting Baltimore is also tough, but Denver have it more difficult in the AFC West with the Chiefs to play twice, the Chargers (who might also challenge for first place but encounter the same problem) and additionally the Packers on the fixture list
The Colts also play the Chiefs, and have the Seahawks, 49ers and two matchups with the five and four Jacksonville to contend with. There's a long way to travel but the opportunity is available for a shock number one position in the AFC
Next Week - Los Angeles and Seattle Prepare for Week 11 Clash
Two teams with strong arguments to be superior to all of the three eight and two sides are NFC West rivals the Seahawks and Rams, who each put up forty points to go to 7-2 ahead of next week's Hollywood blockbuster game between the pair in LA
They've both secured four victories in a row, have quarterbacks in Matthew Stafford and Darnold performing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had turnover issues on game day) with excellent pass catchers, and defensive units allowing fewer than twenty points a contest
Both could realistically be without a loss as too - especially the Los Angeles as their two defeats came in overtime against the San Francisco and then that painful defeat in Philly when they had a potentially winning kick with the last kick blocked and returned by the Eagles for a touchdown
The Seahawks 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 league
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the best of the season to date
Top Performer - Jonathan Taylor
Taylor might be on for a record season after his incredible display in Germany - running for 244 yards, registering three scores and adding another 42 {receiving yards