Bills' Bay Day Opens New England Path to AFC East Lead - Best of Week 10 NFL Action
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Week 10 once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that attracts so many fans into the NFL
This outcome may have opened opportunities for the Patriots to move back into a top spot they formerly held, with a remaining games that gives them an edge over their eight and two competitors
Meanwhile in the National Football Conference the Seattle Seahawks and Rams had perfect results to arrange a major confrontation next week, while our top performer is pursuing milestones as well as the Most Valuable Player award
Analysis - Simply an Off Day for the Bills?
Could it simply have been an emotional comedown from defeating Kansas City last week or something more? This remains the question for the Bills to answer
The Buffalo squad had secured seven victories in a consecutive games against Miami but were second best from the beginning as the Miami team emerged as 30-13 winners in an eye-opening result - and display
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the squad's opening first down in the third quarter and initial scoring in the fourth - admittedly Miami had 10 days to prepare but it was nonetheless a significant failure produced by one of the NFL's best offenses
Tua Tagovailoa threw two touchdowns but rusher De'Von Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 total yards and two scores
Containing the league's best running game was crucial too, with James Cook and teammates registering just 86 yards, their fewest of the season and slightly more than half their 161.5-yard season average
Additionally there were the three crucial turnovers, and the pair from Allen specifically. An interception in the end zone resulting in a nine-minute drive yielded no points, and his fourth-quarter fumble that Miami turned into a touchdown just two plays
It was classic 'old Buffalo' as they hurt themselves in the foot, falling into a deficit on defense and Allen trying to overcompensate to rescue his squad from the situation - not the composed, disciplined, well-balanced Bills we've witnessed this year
The Dolphins have demonstrated a bit of everything this season so the verdict is uncertain on whether this is the beginning of a trend, but for Buffalo they'll require an instant response in a tough game against the Buccaneers next week as the Patriots are sneaking into a nice lead at the top of the American Football Conference East
Spotlight - Patriots Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed
Regarding the New England, they're one of three eight and two squads in the NFL, all American Football Conference teams, but are they the best?
One could find flaws in the Patriots, Denver and Indianapolis actually for dominating the weaker opponents, with only five of their total twenty-four victories achieved against teams with a positive record - and one of those was the Colts defeating the Broncos
The Broncos defeated the champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the fourth-quarter while Indianapolis can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's win in Tampa to their prime time win in Buffalo appears to be a statement
Their pair of losses came in new head coach Vrabel's first three games, with seven consecutive victories, just like Denver, from that point - but defeating Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a bye to prepare was significant
Drake Maye's MVP claims won't go away, and he definitely earns point for bravery after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa Bay but hanging in there to steer his side to victory
The defensive unit is solid and first-year rusher TreVeyon Henderson burst onto the scene on Sunday with 147 yards and two exhilerating touchdowns of 55 and 69 yards - establishing himself as just the fifth runner to break 22 miles per hour this year on his initial touchdown
Although you can argue who 'the best' is statistically, the Pats should be favourites to finish with the top record due to their remaining opponents - which features just one game against a winning team, albeit a huge one against the Bills
Traveling to Baltimore is also tough, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to play twice, the Chargers (who could also compete for top seed but face the same problem) and additionally the Green Bay on the schedule
The Colts also face the Chiefs, and have the Seahawks, San Francisco and two matchups with the five and four Jaguars to contend with. There is a considerable distance to go but the door is available for a surprise number one position in the American Football Conference
Next Week - Los Angeles and Seattle Set for Week 11 Showdown
Two teams with solid claims to be better than all of the three different eight and two sides are National Football Conference West opponents the Seattle and Rams, who both put up forty points to go to seven and two before next week's Hollywood blockbuster game between the pair in LA
Both have won four in a row, have quarterbacks in Matthew Stafford and Darnold playing at an high standard (although Sam Darnold had turnover issues on game day) with top receivers, and defensive units giving up fewer than twenty points a game
Both could easily be without a loss as well - particularly the Rams as their two defeats occurred in extra time against the San Francisco and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a game-winning kick with the final play deflected and run back by the Eagles for a score
Seattle also lost to the 49ers, with a last-minute score in week one, before falling to the final play of the contest against the Tampa Bay - so they are truly among the top teams in the league
The next matchup on Sunday could be the best of the year so far
Player of the Week - Taylor
Jonathan Taylor could be on for a historic year after his remarkable performance in Germany - rushing for 244 rushing yards, scoring three touchdowns and contributing an additional 42 {receiving yards