Buffalo's Disappointing Performance Opens New England Route to AFC East Lead - Best of NFL Week 10
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Week 10 again delivered, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' saying that attracts so many fans into the National Football League
That result may have opened opportunities for the New England Patriots to move back into a top spot they formerly held, with a remaining games that gives them an advantage over their eight and two rivals
Over in the National Football Conference the Seahawks and Rams had perfect results to set up a monster clash in week 11, while our top performer is pursuing milestones as well as the Most Valuable Player award
Analysis - Simply an Off Day for the Bills?
Was it just an emotional comedown from beating the Chiefs last week or something more? That's the question for the Bills to address
The Bills had won seven in a consecutive games against Miami but were outperformed from the start as the Dolphins ran out 30-13 winners in an eye-opening outcome - and display
MVP Josh Allen only achieved the team's initial first down in the third quarter and initial scoring in the final quarter - admittedly the Dolphins had 10 days to prepare but it was nonetheless a massive egg laid by one of the NFL's top offences
Tua Tagovailoa threw two touchdowns but running back De'Von Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 combined yards and two scores
Bottling up the NFL's top running game was also key, with Cook and teammates registering just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the year and just over half their 161.5 yard season average
Then there were the three crucial ball losses, and the two from Allen specifically. An pass caught by defense in the scoring area resulting in a nine minute possession yielded no points, and his final quarter dropped ball that the Dolphins turned into seven points just two plays
It was typical 'old Buffalo' as they hurt themselves in the foot, falling into a deficit on defensive side and Allen trying to overcompensate to rescue his squad from the situation - not the calm, controlled, well-balanced Buffalo team we've seen this year
Miami have served up a bit of everything this year so the verdict is uncertain on if this is the beginning of a trend, but for the Bills they'll need an instant response in a tough game against the Buccaneers next week as the Patriots are quietly moving into a comfortable advantage at the top of the American Football Conference East
In Focus - New England See Path to Unexpected First Place
Regarding the New England, they're among three different eight and two teams in the league, all American Football Conference sides, but are they the best?
One could pick holes in New England, Denver and the Colts actually for dominating the lesser sides, with just five of their total 24 wins coming against opponents with a positive record - and one of those was the Indianapolis beating the Broncos
The Broncos beat the champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are masters of the fourth-quarter while Indy can ride Jonathan Taylor, but the New England adding Sunday's win in Tampa Bay to their prime time win in Buffalo seems like a declaration
Their pair of losses occurred in recently appointed coach Mike Vrabel's initial three games, with seven straight victories, just like the Broncos, since then - but defeating Mayfield after the Bucs had a week off to prepare was huge
Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials continue to be discussed, and he definitely earns credit for courage after taking some savage hits in Tampa but hanging in there to guide his side to success
The defense is solid and first-year rusher TreVeyon Henderson burst onto the scene on Sunday with 147 yards and two exciting touchdowns of 55 and 69 yards - becoming just the fifth ball carrier to break 22mph this year on his first score
Although you can debate who 'the top team' is technically, the Patriots should be favorites to end with the top record thanks to their remaining opponents - which includes just one game against a successful opponent, albeit a significant contest against the Bills
Traveling to the Ravens is challenging too, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Kansas City to play twice, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also compete for top seed but encounter the identical challenge) and also the Green Bay on the fixture list
The Colts also face the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, San Francisco and two games with the five and four Jaguars to face. There's a considerable distance to travel but the opportunity is open for a shock number one position in the AFC
Coming Up - Los Angeles and Seattle Prepare for Next Week Showdown
Both squads with strong arguments to be superior to all of the three different 8-2 sides are NFC West opponents the Seattle and Rams, who each put up 40 burgers to reach 7-2 ahead of the upcoming major game between the pair in LA
They've both won four in a row, have signal callers in Stafford and Darnold playing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on Sunday) with top receivers, and defenses giving up fewer than twenty points a game
Each could realistically be undefeated as too - especially the Los Angeles as their pair of losses came in extra time against the San Francisco and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a potentially winning kick with the last kick deflected and run back by the Eagles for a score
Seattle also lost to San Francisco, with a last-minute score in week one, before falling to the final play of the game against the Buccaneers - so they're truly two of the top teams in the NFL
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the best of the season so far
Player of the Week - Jonathan Taylor
Jonathan Taylor might be on for a record season after his incredible display in Berlin - running for 244 rushing yards, scoring three scores and adding an additional 42 {receiving yards