Bills' Bay Day Opens New England Route to AFC East Lead - Highlights of Week 10 NFL Action
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The tenth week again delivered, with a major surprise for the Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' saying that attracts so many fans into the National Football League
That result may have opened things up for the Patriots to creep back into a leading position they formerly held, with a schedule that provides them an advantage over their 8-2 rivals
Meanwhile in the NFC the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a monster clash next week, while our player of the week is chasing records as well as the Most Valuable Player award
The Breakdown - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?
Could it simply have been an emotional letdown from defeating Kansas City the previous week or something more? That's the question for the Bills to answer
The Buffalo squad had secured seven victories in a consecutive games against the Dolphins but were second best from the start as the Miami team emerged as 30-13 winners in an surprising result - and display
MVP Josh Allen only achieved the team's initial first down in the third quarter and initial scoring in the fourth - admittedly the Dolphins had 10 days to prepare but it was still a significant failure laid by one of the NFL's top offences
Tua Tagovailoa threw two touchdowns but rusher De'Von Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 total yards and two scores
Containing the league's best rushing attack was crucial too, with Cook and teammates recording just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the season and just over fifty percent their 161.5-yard average
Then there were the three crucial ball losses, and the two from Allen in particular. An interception in the end zone meaning a nine minute possession produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter fumble that Miami turned into a touchdown just two plays
It was classic 'old Buffalo' as they shot themselves in the foot, falling into a deficit on defense and Allen trying to do too much to rescue his squad from the situation - rather than the composed, disciplined, well-balanced Bills we've seen this year
The Dolphins have served up a bit of everything this year so the jury's out on whether this is the beginning of a trend, but for the Bills they'll require an instant response in a difficult matchup against the Buccaneers in week 11 as the Patriots are quietly moving into a nice lead at the summit of the AFC East
Spotlight - Patriots See Path to Unexpected First Place
Regarding the Patriots, they're among three different eight and two teams in the NFL, all AFC teams, but are they the top team?
One could pick holes in the Patriots, Denver and Indianapolis really for feasting on the weaker opponents, with only five of their total twenty-four wins coming against teams with a positive record - and one example was the Colts defeating the Broncos
Denver beat the reigning champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are masters of the final quarter while Indy can ride Taylor, but the Patriots including Sunday's victory in Tampa Bay to their primtime success in Buffalo seems like a declaration
Their two defeats occurred in recently appointed coach Vrabel's first three contests, with seven straight victories, similar to the Broncos, from that point - but taking down Baker Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a week off to get ready was significant
Maye's MVP claims continue to be discussed, and he certainly earns point for courage after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa but hanging in there to guide his side to success
The defense is solid and first-year rusher Henderson exploded on Sunday with 147 rushing yards and two exciting scores of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - establishing himself as just the fifth different runner to exceed 22mph this year on his initial touchdown
While you can argue who 'the top team' is statistically, the Patriots should be favourites to end with the best record thanks to their remaining opponents - which includes just a single matchup against a successful opponent, although a significant contest against the Bills
Traveling to the Ravens is also tough, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to face two times, the Los Angeles Chargers (who could also compete for top seed but face the identical challenge) and also the Packers on the schedule
The Colts also play the Kansas City, and have the Seahawks, 49ers and two matchups with the 5-4 Jacksonville to face. There is a considerable distance to go but the door is available for a shock number one position in the AFC
Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Set for Next Week Clash
Two teams with strong arguments to be better than all of the three different 8-2 teams are National Football Conference West rivals the Seattle and Los Angeles, who both scored forty points to go to 7-2 before the upcoming major game between the pair in Los Angeles
They've both won four in a row, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Darnold performing at an high standard (although Sam Darnold had turnover issues on game day) with top receivers, and defenses giving up fewer than twenty points a game
Both could realistically be undefeated as well - particularly the Rams as their pair of losses occurred in overtime against the 49ers and then that agonising loss in Philadelphia when they had a potentially winning kick with the last kick blocked and run back by the Philadelphia 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 Tampa Bay - so they are truly two of the best sides in the NFL
The next matchup on Sunday could be the best of the season to date
Top Performer - Jonathan Taylor
Jonathan Taylor could be on for a historic year after his incredible display in Germany - running for 244 rushing yards, scoring three touchdowns and contributing an additional 42 {receiving yards