Buffalo's Bay Day Gives New England Route to Top Spot - Best of NFL Week 10
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Week 10 once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that draws so many people into the National Football League
That result may have opened opportunities for the New England Patriots to move back into a leading position they formerly held, with a remaining games that provides them an advantage over their eight and two rivals
Meanwhile in the NFC 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 pursuing milestones as well as the MVP award
Analysis - Just a Bad Day for the Bills?
Was it just an emotional letdown from beating the Chiefs the previous week or something more? That's the question for the Buffalo team to answer
The Buffalo squad had won seven in a consecutive games against Miami but were outperformed from the start as the Dolphins ran out 30-13 victors in an eye-opening outcome - and display
MVP Josh Allen only got the team's initial first down in the third period and first points in the fourth - admittedly Miami had ten days to prepare but it was still a massive egg produced by one of the league's top offences
Dolphins quarterback Tua passed for two scores but rusher Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 combined yards and two touchdowns
Bottling up the NFL's top running game was crucial too, with Cook and teammates registering just 86 yards, their fewest of the season and just over half their 161.5 yard average
Additionally there were the three crucial ball losses, and the two from Josh Allen specifically. An interception in the end zone meaning a nine minute possession yielded no points, and his final quarter fumble that Miami turned into seven points just later
It was classic 'previous Bills teams' as they hurt themselves in the foot, falling into a hole on defense and Allen trying to overcompensate to rescue his squad out of it - not the composed, disciplined, well-balanced Buffalo team we've seen this year
Miami have demonstrated a varied performances this season so the verdict is uncertain on if this is the beginning of something, but for Buffalo they'll need an instant response in a difficult matchup against Tampa Bay next week as the New England are sneaking into a nice lead at the top of the AFC East
Spotlight - New England See Path to Unexpected First Place
Regarding the Patriots, they're one of three eight and two teams in the league, all American Football Conference teams, but could they be the top team?
You can pick holes in New England, the Broncos and the Colts really for feasting on the weaker opponents, with only five of their combined twenty-four victories achieved against opponents with a positive record - and one example was the Indianapolis beating the Denver
The Broncos beat the champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are masters of the fourth-quarter while Indy can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the New England 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 initial three contests, with seven straight victories, just like Denver, from that point - but taking down Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to get ready was significant
Drake Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials won't go away, and he certainly earns point for courage after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa but hanging in there to guide his side to success
The defense is reliable and rookie rusher Henderson burst onto the scene on game day with 147 rushing yards and two exciting touchdowns of 55 and 69 yards - becoming just the fifth ball carrier to break 22mph this season on his first score
While you can debate who 'the best' is statistically, the Pats should be favourites to finish with the best record thanks to their remaining opponents - which includes just one game against a successful opponent, albeit a significant contest against Buffalo
Traveling to Baltimore is challenging too, but the Broncos have it more difficult in the AFC West division with the Kansas City to face two times, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also challenge for top seed but encounter the same problem) and also the Packers on the fixture list
The Indianapolis also play the Chiefs, and have the Seahawks, San Francisco and two matchups with the five and four Jacksonville to face. There is a considerable distance to travel but the door is open for a surprise top seed 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 8-2 sides are National Football Conference West rivals the Seahawks and Rams, who each scored 40 burgers to go to 7-2 ahead of next week's major meeting between the two in LA
Both have secured four victories in a consecutive games, have signal callers in Stafford and Sam Darnold playing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on Sunday) with excellent pass catchers, and defenses allowing under 20 points a game
Both could easily be undefeated as well - particularly the Los Angeles as their two defeats occurred in extra time against the San Francisco and then that painful defeat in Philly when they had a game-winning field goal with the final play deflected and returned by the Eagles for a score
Seattle also lost to the 49ers, with a last-minute score in the opening week, before falling to the final play of the contest against the Tampa Bay - so they're genuinely among the top teams in the NFL
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the most exciting of the season to date
Player of the Week - Jonathan Taylor
Jonathan Taylor might be on for a historic year after his remarkable performance in Germany - running for 244 yards, scoring three touchdowns and contributing another 42 {receiving yards