Bills' Bay Day Opens Patriots Route to Top Spot - Highlights of Week 10 NFL Action
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The tenth week again delivered, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills demonstrating the 'any given Sunday' saying that draws so many people into the National Football League
This outcome may have opened things up for the Patriots to move back into a leading position they formerly held, with a remaining games that gives them an advantage over their 8-2 rivals
Meanwhile in the National Football Conference the Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a major confrontation in week 11, while our top performer is pursuing milestones as well as the Most Valuable Player award
The Breakdown - Just a Bad Day for Buffalo?
Could it simply have been an emotional comedown from defeating Kansas City the previous week or something more? This remains the question for the Bills to address
The Bills had secured seven victories in a consecutive games against Miami but were second best from the start as the Dolphins ran out 30-13 winners in an surprising outcome - and performance
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the squad's initial first down in the third quarter and first points in the fourth - yes Miami had ten days to prepare but it was still a significant failure produced by one of the league's top offences
Tua Tagovailoa passed for two touchdowns but running back De'Von Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 total yards and two scores
Containing the league's best rushing attack was also key, with James Cook and company registering just eighty-six yards, their fewest of the season and slightly more than fifty percent their 161.5-yard average
Additionally there were the three critical turnovers, and the pair from Josh Allen in particular. An interception in the end zone resulting in a nine minute possession yielded no points, and his fourth-quarter fumble that Miami 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 Allen attempting to overcompensate to rescue his squad from the situation - not the calm, controlled, balanced Buffalo team we've witnessed 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 instant response in a difficult matchup against the Buccaneers in week 11 as the New England are quietly moving into a comfortable advantage at the top of the AFC East
In Focus - New England Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed
Regarding the Patriots, they're among three 8-2 squads in the league, all AFC teams, but could they be the best?
You can pick holes in the Patriots, Denver and the Colts really for dominating the weaker opponents, with only five of their total twenty-four wins coming against opponents with a positive record - and one example was the Colts beating the Broncos
Denver beat the champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the final quarter while Indy can ride Taylor, but the New England including Sunday's win in Tampa Bay to their primtime win in Buffalo appears to be a declaration
Their two defeats came in recently appointed coach Vrabel's initial three games, with seven straight victories, similar to Denver, from that point - but defeating Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to prepare was significant
Drake Maye's MVP claims continue to be discussed, and he certainly deserves point for courage after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa but persevering to steer his side to victory
The defense is reliable and rookie running back Henderson burst onto the scene on Sunday with 147 rushing yards and two exciting scores of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - establishing himself as just the fifth ball carrier to exceed 22 miles per hour this year on his initial touchdown
While you can debate who 'the best' is statistically, the Pats should be favorites to finish with the top record thanks to their schedule - which includes just a single matchup against a winning team, albeit a huge one 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 might also compete for top seed but encounter the identical challenge) 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 Jaguars to face. There's a considerable distance to go but the door is available for a shock number one position in the AFC
Coming Up - Rams & Seahawks Set for Next Week Clash
Both squads with solid claims to be better than all of the three 8-2 sides are National Football Conference West opponents the Seattle and Rams, who each scored forty points to reach 7-2 before the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster game between the pair in LA
Both have secured four victories in a row, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Darnold performing at an elite level (although Darnold had ball security problems on game day) with top receivers, and defensive units allowing under 20 points a contest
Both could realistically be undefeated as too - particularly the Rams as their two defeats came in overtime against the 49ers and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a game-winning kick with the final play blocked and run back by the Eagles for a touchdown
The Seahawks were also defeated to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in week one, before falling to the final play of the contest against the Tampa Bay - so they're genuinely two of the best sides in the NFL
The next matchup on Sunday could be the best of the season so far
Top Performer - Taylor
Taylor could be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Berlin - rushing for 244 yards, registering three scores and adding an additional forty-two {receiving yards