Buffalo's Bay Day Gives New England Path to Top Spot - Best of Week 10 NFL Action
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The tenth week again delivered, with a major surprise for the Bills proving the 'any given Sunday' mantra that attracts so many fans 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 remaining games that gives them an edge over their eight and two competitors
Over in the NFC the Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had ideal outcomes to arrange a monster clash in week 11, while our player of the week is pursuing milestones as well as the Most Valuable Player award
Analysis - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?
Could it simply have been an emotional comedown from defeating Kansas City last week or something more? This remains the question for the Buffalo team to answer
The Buffalo squad had secured seven victories in a row against Miami but were outperformed from the start as the Miami team ran out 30-13 victors in an eye-opening result - and performance
MVP Josh Allen only got the team's opening first down in the third period and initial scoring in the fourth - admittedly Miami had ten days to prepare but it was nonetheless a significant failure laid by one of the NFL's top offences
Tua Tagovailoa threw two scores but rusher De'Von Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 combined yards and two scores
Bottling up the league's best running game was crucial too, with James Cook and company recording just 86 yards, their fewest of the year and just over half their 161.5 yard average
Additionally there were the three critical turnovers, and the two from Allen in particular. An interception in the end zone meaning a nine minute possession produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that Miami turned into seven points just two plays
It was classic 'old Buffalo' as they shot themselves in the foot, getting into a hole on defensive side and Allen trying to overcompensate to dig his team out of it - rather than the calm, disciplined, balanced Bills we've seen this season
The Dolphins have served up a varied performances this year so the verdict is uncertain on if this is the start of a trend, but for Buffalo they'll require an immediate bounce-back in a tough game against the Buccaneers next week as the Patriots are sneaking into a nice lead at the summit of the AFC East
In Focus - New England See Path to Unexpected First Place
Speaking of the Patriots, they're one of three 8-2 squads in the league, all AFC sides, but are they the top team?
One could pick holes in New England, the Broncos and the Colts really for feasting on the lesser sides, with only five of their combined twenty-four victories achieved against teams with a winning record - and one example was the Colts defeating the Denver
The Broncos beat the champion Eagles in Philly and are masters of the final quarter while Indianapolis can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the New England adding Sunday's victory in Tampa Bay to their primtime win in Buffalo appears to be a declaration
Their pair of losses came in recently appointed coach Vrabel's first three contests, with seven straight wins, similar to the Broncos, from that point - but taking down Baker Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a week off to prepare was significant
Drake Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials continue to be discussed, and he definitely deserves point for bravery after taking some hard tackles in Tampa but persevering to guide his team to success
The defense is reliable and first-year running back Henderson burst onto the scene on game day with 147 yards and two exhilerating scores of 55 and 69 yards - establishing himself as just the fifth ball carrier to exceed 22 miles per hour this year on his first score
While you can argue who 'the top team' is statistically, the Patriots should be favourites to end with the top record thanks to their remaining opponents - which includes just one game against a successful opponent, although a significant contest against Buffalo
Traveling to Baltimore is challenging too, but Denver have it more difficult in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to play twice, the Chargers (who could also challenge for first place but face the same problem) and additionally the Green Bay on the fixture list
The Colts also play the Chiefs, and have the Seahawks, 49ers and two matchups with the 5-4 Jacksonville to contend with. There's a considerable distance to go but the opportunity is open for a surprise number one position in the American Football Conference
Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Prepare for Week 11 Showdown
Two teams with solid claims to be better than all of the three 8-2 sides are National Football Conference West rivals the Seattle and Los Angeles, who each put up forty points to go to seven and two before the upcoming major meeting between the two in LA
They've both won four in a row, have signal callers in Stafford and Darnold performing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on game day) with excellent pass catchers, and defenses giving up under 20 points a contest
Each could easily be without a loss as too - particularly the Rams as their pair of losses came 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 deflected and returned by the Philadelphia for a touchdown
Seattle were also defeated to the 49ers, with a last-minute score in week one, before losing to the last kick of the game against the Tampa Bay - so they are genuinely among the top teams in the NFL
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the best of the season so far
Player of the Week - Taylor
Jonathan Taylor might be on for a historic year after his remarkable performance in Germany - running for 244 yards, registering three touchdowns and contributing an additional 42 {receiving yards