Buffalo's Bay Day Opens Patriots Path to Top Spot - Best of NFL Week 10
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Week 10 once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' saying that attracts so many fans into the NFL
That result may have opened opportunities for the Patriots to move back into a leading position they formerly held, with a schedule that gives them an edge over their eight and two competitors
Meanwhile in the NFC the Seattle Seahawks and Rams had perfect results to arrange a monster clash in week 11, while our player of the week is chasing records as well as the MVP award
Analysis - Simply an Off Day for the Bills?
Was it just an emotional letdown from beating the Chiefs the previous week or a deeper issue? That's the question for the Buffalo team to address
The Bills had won seven in a consecutive games against the Dolphins but were outperformed from the start as the Miami team ran out 30-13 victors in an eye-opening result - and display
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only got the team's opening first down in the third quarter and first points in the final quarter - yes the Dolphins had 10 days to prepare but it was nonetheless 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 game-changing factor, with 225 combined yards and two scores
Containing the NFL's top running game was also key, with Cook and teammates registering just 86 yards, their fewest of the year and slightly more than half their 161.5-yard average
Then there were the three critical ball losses, and the pair from Josh Allen specifically. An pass caught by defense in the scoring area resulting in a nine-minute possession produced nothing, and his final quarter dropped ball that the Dolphins converted to a touchdown just later
It was classic 'old Buffalo' as they shot themselves in the foot, getting into a deficit on defensive side and Allen attempting to do too much to rescue his squad from the situation - not the calm, controlled, balanced Bills we've seen this year
The Dolphins have demonstrated a bit of everything this year so the verdict is uncertain on if this is the beginning of a trend, but for the Bills they'll require an instant response in a tough game against Tampa Bay next week as the Patriots are quietly moving into a nice lead at the top of the AFC East
In Focus - New England Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed
Speaking of the Patriots, they're among three 8-2 teams in the league, all AFC sides, but could they be the top team?
One could find flaws in the Patriots, the Broncos and Indianapolis actually for dominating the lesser sides, with just five of their combined twenty-four victories achieved against opponents with a winning record - and one example was the Colts beating the Broncos
The Broncos defeated the reigning champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are masters of the final quarter while Indy can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots including Sunday's victory in Tampa to their primtime win in Orchard Park appears to be a statement
Their pair of losses occurred in new head coach Vrabel's first three games, with seven consecutive victories, just like the Broncos, from that point - but taking down Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a week off to get ready was huge
Drake Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials continue to be discussed, and he definitely deserves credit for courage after taking some savage hits in Tampa Bay but hanging in there to steer his side to success
The defensive unit is solid and first-year rusher TreVeyon Henderson exploded on Sunday with 147 yards and two exhilerating touchdowns of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - establishing himself as just the fifth different ball carrier to exceed 22 miles per hour this season on his first score
Although you can debate who 'the best' is statistically, the Patriots should be favourites to finish with the best record due to their remaining opponents - which features just a single matchup against a successful opponent, although a huge one against the Bills
Traveling to Baltimore is also tough, but Denver have it more difficult in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to face two times, the Chargers (who could also challenge for first place but encounter the same problem) and additionally the Packers on the fixture list
The Indianapolis also play the Kansas City, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two games with the five and four Jacksonville to contend with. There is a long way to travel but the door is open for a shock number one position in the AFC
Next Week - Los Angeles and Seattle Set for Next Week Clash
Two teams with strong arguments to be superior to all of the three eight and two teams are National Football Conference West opponents the Seahawks and Rams, who each scored 40 burgers to go to 7-2 before the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster game between the pair in Los Angeles
Both have secured four victories in a row, have quarterbacks in Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold performing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on Sunday) with top receivers, and defensive units giving up under 20 points a contest
Both could easily be undefeated as too - particularly the Rams as their two defeats came in extra time against the 49ers and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a potentially winning field goal with the last kick deflected and run back by the Philadelphia for a score
Seattle also lost to the 49ers, with a last-minute score in week one, before losing to the final play of the game against the Tampa Bay - so they're truly two of the top teams in the league
The next matchup on Sunday could be the best of the season to date
Top Performer - Taylor
Jonathan Taylor could be on for a historic year after his incredible display in Germany - rushing for 244 yards, registering three touchdowns and adding another 42 {receiving yards