Buffalo's Bay Day Opens Patriots Path to Top Spot - Highlights of NFL Week 10
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The tenth week once more provided excitement, with a huge upset for the Buffalo Bills proving the 'any given Sunday' saying that draws so many people into the NFL
This outcome could have created opportunities for the Patriots to move back into a leading position they formerly held, with a remaining games that provides them an advantage over their 8-2 competitors
Over in the National Football Conference the Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a monster clash in week 11, while our player of the week is chasing records as well as the Most Valuable Player award
Analysis - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?
Was it just an emotional letdown from defeating Kansas City the previous week or a deeper issue? That's the question for the Bills to address
The Buffalo squad had secured seven victories in a consecutive games against the Dolphins but were outperformed from the beginning as the Miami team emerged as 30-13 winners in an surprising result - and display
MVP Josh Allen only got the team's initial first down in the third quarter and initial scoring in the final quarter - yes Miami had 10 days to get ready but it was nonetheless a massive egg laid by one of the NFL's top offences
Dolphins quarterback Tua passed for two touchdowns but running back De'Von Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 total yards and two touchdowns
Containing the NFL's top rushing attack was also key, with Cook and company recording just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the year and just over half their 161.5-yard average
Additionally there were the three critical ball losses, and the pair from Josh Allen in particular. An interception in the end zone resulting in a nine-minute drive yielded no points, and his final quarter fumble that the Dolphins turned into a touchdown just two plays
It was classic 'previous Bills teams' as they hurt themselves in the foot, getting into a hole on defense and Josh Allen trying to overcompensate to dig his team out of it - rather than the calm, controlled, balanced Bills we've witnessed this season
The Dolphins have served up a bit of everything this season so the verdict is uncertain on if this is the beginning 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 summit of the American Football Conference East
Spotlight - Patriots Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed
Regarding the New England, they're among three different eight and two squads in the NFL, all AFC sides, but are they the top team?
You can pick holes in the Patriots, the Broncos and the Colts really for feasting on the weaker opponents, with only five of their combined 24 victories coming against teams with a positive record - and one of those was the Colts beating the Denver
The Broncos defeated the champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are masters of the final quarter while Indianapolis can rely on Taylor, but the New England including Sunday's win in Tampa to their prime time win in Orchard Park appears to be a statement
Their pair of losses occurred in new head coach Vrabel's initial three games, with seven consecutive victories, just like the Broncos, since then - but taking down Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to prepare was significant
Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials continue to be discussed, and he definitely deserves credit for bravery after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa but persevering to steer his side to victory
The defense is solid and first-year running back Henderson exploded on game day with 147 rushing yards and two exciting touchdowns of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - becoming just the fifth ball carrier to exceed 22mph this year on his first score
While you can argue who 'the top team' is statistically, the Patriots should be favorites to finish with the top record thanks to their remaining opponents - which includes just a single matchup against a successful opponent, albeit a huge one against the Bills
Traveling to the Ravens is also tough, but the Broncos have it more difficult in the AFC West with the Chiefs to face two times, the Los Angeles Chargers (who could also compete for top seed but encounter the identical challenge) and also the Green Bay on the fixture list
The Colts also play the Kansas City, and have the Seahawks, San Francisco and two matchups with the 5-4 Jacksonville to face. There's a long way to travel but the opportunity is open for a shock number one position in the American Football Conference
Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Set for Next Week Showdown
Both squads with strong arguments to be superior to all of the three different eight and two sides are NFC West rivals the Seattle and Rams, who each put up 40 burgers to go to seven and two ahead of next week's Hollywood blockbuster game between the two in Los Angeles
Both have secured four victories in a row, have quarterbacks in Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold playing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had turnover issues on Sunday) with excellent pass catchers, and defenses allowing under 20 points a game
Each could easily be undefeated as too - especially the Rams as their two defeats occurred in extra time against the San Francisco and then that painful defeat in Philly when they had a potentially winning field goal with the final play blocked and returned by the Eagles for a touchdown
Seattle also lost to the 49ers, with a late touchdown in the opening week, before falling to the final play of the game against the Buccaneers - so they're genuinely two of the top teams in the NFL
The next matchup on Sunday could be the best of the season to date
Player of the Week - Taylor
Jonathan Taylor could be on for a record season after his incredible display in Germany - running for 244 yards, scoring three touchdowns and contributing another forty-two {receiving yards