Bills' Disappointing Performance Opens New England Path to Top Spot - Best of Week 10 NFL Action
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Week 10 once more provided excitement, with a huge upset for the Bills proving the 'any given Sunday' saying that draws so many people into the NFL
This outcome could have created things up for the New England Patriots to creep back into a leading position they used to occupy, with a schedule that provides them an advantage over their eight and two competitors
Meanwhile in the National Football Conference the Seahawks and Rams had perfect results to arrange a major confrontation next week, while our player of the week is pursuing milestones as well as the MVP award
Analysis - Just a Bad Day for Buffalo?
Was it just an emotional comedown from defeating Kansas City last week or something more? That's the question for the Bills to address
The Buffalo squad had won seven in a consecutive games against the Dolphins but were second best from the start as the Miami team ran out 30-13 winners in an eye-opening outcome - and performance
MVP Josh Allen only got the team's opening first down in the third period and first points in the final quarter - admittedly Miami had ten days to get ready but it was nonetheless a massive egg produced by one of the league's best offenses
Dolphins quarterback Tua passed for two touchdowns 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 crucial too, with Cook and teammates registering just 86 yards, their lowest of the year and just over fifty percent their 161.5 yard average
Then there were the three crucial turnovers, and the two from Allen in particular. An pass caught by defense in the end zone meaning a nine-minute possession yielded no points, and his final quarter dropped ball that Miami converted to seven points just two plays
It was typical 'old Buffalo' as they shot themselves in the foot, falling into a hole on defense and Josh Allen trying to overcompensate to rescue his squad out of it - not the calm, disciplined, well-balanced Buffalo team we've seen this season
The Dolphins have demonstrated a bit of everything this year so the jury's out on whether this is the beginning of something, but for Buffalo they'll need an immediate bounce-back in a difficult matchup against the Buccaneers in week 11 as the Patriots are quietly moving into a comfortable advantage at the summit of the AFC East
In Focus - New England Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed
Speaking of the Patriots, they're among three 8-2 squads in the NFL, all American Football Conference sides, but could they be the top team?
One could find flaws in New England, Denver and Indianapolis really for dominating the weaker opponents, with only five of their combined twenty-four wins achieved against teams with a winning record - and one of those was the Colts beating the Denver
Denver beat the champion Eagles in Philly and are masters of the final quarter while Indianapolis can ride Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's victory in Tampa Bay to their primtime win in Orchard Park appears to be a statement
Their two defeats came in new head coach Vrabel's initial three contests, with seven straight victories, just like Denver, since then - but taking down Baker Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a week off to get ready was huge
Drake Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials continue to be discussed, and he definitely earns point for bravery after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa but persevering to steer his side to victory
The defense is reliable and rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson exploded on game day with 147 rushing yards and two exciting scores of 55 and 69 yards - becoming just the fifth ball carrier to break 22 miles per hour this year on his first score
Although you can argue who 'the top team' is technically, the Patriots should be favorites to finish with the top record thanks to their remaining opponents - which includes just one game against a winning team, although a significant contest against Buffalo
Traveling to the Ravens is challenging too, but the Broncos have it more difficult in the AFC West with the Kansas City to play twice, the Los Angeles Chargers (who could also challenge for first place but face the same problem) and also the Packers on the schedule
The Indianapolis also play the Chiefs, and have the Seahawks, 49ers and two games with the five and four Jaguars to contend with. There is a considerable distance to travel but the opportunity is available for a surprise number one position in the American Football Conference
Next Week - Los Angeles and Seattle Prepare for Week 11 Showdown
Two teams with strong arguments to be superior to all of the three different 8-2 sides are NFC West rivals the Seattle and Los Angeles, who both scored forty points to reach 7-2 before the upcoming major meeting between the pair in Los Angeles
Both have won four in a row, have quarterbacks in Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold playing at an high standard (although Darnold had turnover issues on Sunday) with excellent pass catchers, and defensive units allowing under 20 points a game
Both could easily be without a loss as too - especially the Rams as their two defeats occurred in overtime against the 49ers and then that painful defeat in Philly when they had a potentially winning kick with the final play blocked and returned by the Philadelphia for a score
Seattle also lost to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in the opening week, before losing to the last kick of the contest against the Buccaneers - so they're truly two of the best sides in the league
The next matchup on Sunday could be the most exciting of the year so far
Top Performer - Taylor
Jonathan Taylor might be on for a record season after his incredible display in Berlin - running for 244 rushing yards, scoring three touchdowns and adding an additional forty-two {receiving yards