Buffalo's Bay Day Gives New England Route to AFC East Lead - Best of Week 10 NFL Action
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The tenth week once more provided excitement, with a huge upset for the Buffalo Bills demonstrating the 'any given Sunday' saying that attracts so many fans into the National Football League
This outcome may have opened things up for the Patriots to creep back into a leading position they formerly held, with a remaining games that gives them an edge over their eight and two competitors
Over in the National Football Conference the Seahawks and Rams had ideal outcomes to arrange a major confrontation next week, while our top performer is chasing records as well as the MVP award
Analysis - Just a Bad Day for Buffalo?
Was it just an emotional comedown from beating the Chiefs the previous week or something more? That's the question for the Buffalo team to address
The Bills had won seven in a row against Miami but were second best from the beginning as the Dolphins emerged as 30-13 winners in an eye-opening result - and performance
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only got the squad's opening first down in the third period and initial scoring in the fourth - yes Miami had 10 days to prepare but it was still a massive egg produced by one of the NFL's top offences
Dolphins quarterback Tua passed for two scores but rusher Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 total yards and two touchdowns
Bottling up the NFL's top rushing attack was crucial too, with James Cook and company recording 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 ball losses, and the two from Allen in particular. An interception in the end zone resulting in a nine minute possession produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter fumble that Miami converted to a touchdown just later
It was classic 'previous Bills teams' as they hurt themselves in the foot, getting into a hole on defensive side and Allen trying to overcompensate to dig his team from the situation - not the composed, disciplined, balanced Bills we've seen this season
The Dolphins have served up a varied performances this season 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 Tampa Bay next week as the Patriots are sneaking into a nice lead at the top of the American Football Conference East
In Focus - Patriots See Path to Unexpected First Place
Regarding the Patriots, they're among three different 8-2 squads in the league, all American Football Conference sides, but could they be the top team?
You can pick holes in New England, the Broncos and Indianapolis really for feasting on the weaker opponents, with only five of their combined 24 wins achieved against opponents with a winning record - and one of those was the Colts defeating the Broncos
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 win in Tampa Bay to their prime time win in Buffalo appears to be a statement
Their two defeats occurred in recently appointed coach Vrabel's initial three games, with seven straight wins, similar to the Broncos, since then - but defeating Baker Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a week off to get ready was huge
Drake Maye's MVP claims won't go away, and he definitely deserves point for courage after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa but hanging in there to steer his team to success
The defense is reliable and rookie rusher TreVeyon Henderson burst onto the scene on Sunday with 147 yards and two exciting scores of 55 and 69 yards - becoming just the fifth runner to exceed 22 miles per hour this year on his first score
Although you can debate who 'the top team' is statistically, the Pats should be favorites to finish with the best record due to their remaining opponents - which features just one game against a winning team, albeit a significant contest against the Bills
Traveling to the Ravens is also tough, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West with the Kansas City to face two times, the Chargers (who might also challenge for first place but face the identical challenge) and additionally the Green Bay on the schedule
The Indianapolis also face the Kansas City, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two games with the 5-4 Jacksonville to face. There is a considerable distance to travel but the door is open for a shock number one position in the American Football Conference
Coming Up - Rams & Seahawks Prepare for Next Week Showdown
Both squads with solid claims to be superior to all of the three 8-2 teams are NFC West opponents the Seahawks and Rams, who each put up 40 burgers to reach seven and two before next week's Hollywood blockbuster game between the pair in LA
They've both won four in a consecutive games, have signal callers in Stafford and Darnold playing at an high standard (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on Sunday) with top receivers, and defensive units allowing under 20 points a contest
Each could easily be undefeated as too - especially the Los Angeles as their two defeats occurred in overtime against the 49ers and then that painful defeat in Philly when they had a potentially winning field goal with the last kick blocked and returned by the Philadelphia for a touchdown
Seattle were also defeated to the 49ers, with a last-minute score in the opening week, before falling to the final play of the game against the Buccaneers - so they're truly among the top teams in the league
The next matchup on Sunday could be the most exciting 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 adding an additional 42 {receiving yards