Bills' Bay Day Opens Patriots Route to AFC East Lead - Highlights of Week 10 NFL Action
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The tenth week once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' saying that draws so many people into the NFL
That result could have created opportunities for the New England Patriots to creep back into a top spot they used to occupy, with a remaining games that gives them an advantage over their eight and two competitors
Over in the NFC the Seahawks and Rams had perfect results to arrange a monster clash in week 11, while our top performer is chasing records as well as the Most Valuable Player award
Analysis - Just a Bad Day for the Bills?
Was it just an emotional letdown from beating the Chiefs last week or a deeper issue? This remains the question for the Buffalo team to address
The Buffalo squad had won seven in a row against the Dolphins but were second best from the beginning as the Dolphins ran out 30-13 winners in an eye-opening result - and display
MVP Josh Allen only achieved the team's initial first down in the third quarter and initial scoring in the fourth - yes Miami had 10 days to get ready but it was still a significant failure laid by one of the NFL's best offenses
Dolphins quarterback Tua threw two scores but rusher Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 total yards and two scores
Containing the league's best running game was crucial too, with James Cook and teammates registering just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the year and slightly more than half their 161.5-yard season average
Then there were the three crucial ball losses, and the two from Allen in particular. An pass caught by defense in the end zone meaning a nine minute drive yielded no points, and his fourth-quarter fumble that the Dolphins turned into seven points just later
It was classic 'old Buffalo' as they hurt themselves in the foot, getting into a hole on defense and Josh Allen attempting to overcompensate to dig his team out of it - rather than the calm, controlled, well-balanced Buffalo team we've seen this year
The Dolphins have served up a bit of everything this year so the verdict is uncertain on if this is the start of a trend, but for the Bills they'll need an instant response in a difficult matchup against Tampa Bay in week 11 as the Patriots are quietly moving into a comfortable advantage at the top of the American Football Conference East
Spotlight - New England Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed
Regarding the Patriots, they're among three 8-2 teams in the NFL, all American Football Conference teams, but are they the best?
You can pick holes in the Patriots, Denver and Indianapolis really for dominating the weaker opponents, with only five of their total 24 wins achieved against teams with a winning record - and one example was the Colts defeating the Denver
The Broncos defeated the reigning champion Eagles in Philly and are masters of the final quarter while Indy can ride Taylor, but the New England adding Sunday's victory in Tampa Bay to their primtime win in Orchard Park appears to be a statement
Their two defeats occurred in recently appointed coach Vrabel's initial three games, with seven consecutive victories, just like Denver, since then - but taking down Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a week off to prepare was significant
Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials continue to be discussed, and he certainly earns credit for courage after taking some savage hits in Tampa but persevering to steer his team to success
The defensive unit is reliable and first-year rusher Henderson exploded on game day with 147 yards and two exhilerating touchdowns of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - becoming just the fifth different runner to exceed 22mph this season on his initial touchdown
Although you can debate who 'the best' is statistically, the Pats should be favourites to end with the top record thanks to their remaining opponents - which includes just one game against a winning team, although a significant contest against Buffalo
Visiting the Ravens is also tough, but Denver have it more difficult in the AFC West with the Kansas City to face two times, the Los Angeles Chargers (who could also compete for top seed but face the same problem) and also the Packers on the schedule
The Colts also face the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two games with the 5-4 Jacksonville to contend with. There's a considerable distance to travel but the opportunity is open for a shock top seed in the American Football Conference
Next Week - Los Angeles and Seattle Set for Week 11 Showdown
Both squads with strong arguments to be better than all of the three different eight and two teams are National Football Conference West opponents the Seattle and Rams, who both put up forty points to reach seven and two before the upcoming major meeting between the two in Los Angeles
They've both secured four victories in a row, have signal callers in Stafford and Darnold performing at an high standard (although Darnold had ball security problems on game day) with top receivers, and defensive units allowing fewer than twenty points a game
Each could realistically be without a loss as too - especially the Los Angeles as their pair of losses came in extra time against the 49ers and then that painful defeat in Philly when they had a game-winning field goal with the final play blocked and returned by the Philadelphia for a touchdown
Seattle also lost to San Francisco, with a last-minute score in the opening week, before losing to the final play of the contest against the Tampa Bay - so they're genuinely among the top teams in the NFL
The next matchup on Sunday could be the best of the year so far
Player of the Week - Jonathan Taylor
Jonathan Taylor might be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Germany - running for 244 yards, registering three scores and adding an additional forty-two {receiving yards