Buffalo's Bay Day Gives New England Path to AFC East Lead - Highlights of NFL Week 10
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Week 10 once more provided excitement, with a huge upset for the Buffalo Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that attracts so many fans into the NFL
This outcome may have opened things up for the Patriots to creep back into a top spot they used to occupy, with a schedule that gives them an advantage over their eight and two competitors
Over in the NFC the Seahawks and Rams had ideal outcomes to arrange a major confrontation in week 11, while our player of the week is pursuing milestones as well as the Most Valuable Player award
Analysis - Just a Bad Day for Buffalo?
Could it simply have been an emotional letdown from beating the Chiefs the previous week or a deeper issue? This remains the question for the Bills to answer
The Buffalo squad had won seven in a consecutive games against the Dolphins but were second best from the beginning as the Miami team ran out 30-13 winners in an surprising outcome - and display
MVP Josh Allen only got the squad's opening first down in the third period and initial scoring in the final quarter - admittedly Miami had ten days to get ready but it was nonetheless a massive egg produced by one of the league's best offenses
Dolphins quarterback Tua threw two touchdowns but running back Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 total yards and two scores
Containing the league's best rushing attack was also key, with Cook and company registering just 86 yards, their lowest of the year and slightly more than half their 161.5-yard average
Additionally there were the three crucial turnovers, and the pair from Allen specifically. An pass caught by defense in the end zone resulting in a nine minute drive yielded no points, and his fourth-quarter fumble that Miami converted to seven points just two plays
It was classic 'old Buffalo' as they shot themselves in the foot, getting into a deficit on defense and Josh Allen trying to overcompensate to dig his team out of it - rather than the composed, controlled, balanced Buffalo team we've witnessed this season
The Dolphins have demonstrated a varied performances this year so the verdict is uncertain on whether this is the start of something, but for Buffalo they'll require an immediate bounce-back in a tough game against Tampa Bay next week as the Patriots are quietly moving into a nice lead at the top of the AFC East
In Focus - Patriots See Path to Surprise Top Seed
Speaking of the New England, they're one of three different 8-2 squads in the league, all American Football Conference teams, but could they be the best?
You can find flaws in the Patriots, the Broncos and Indianapolis really for dominating the weaker opponents, with only five of their total twenty-four wins coming against teams with a positive record - and one example was the Colts beating the Broncos
The Broncos beat the reigning champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are masters of the final quarter while Indianapolis can ride Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's victory in Tampa Bay to their primtime success in Orchard Park appears to be a declaration
Their two defeats occurred in new head coach Vrabel's first three games, with seven straight victories, similar to Denver, from that point - but defeating Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a bye to get ready was significant
Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials continue to be discussed, and he certainly earns point for bravery after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa but persevering to steer his side to success
The defensive unit is solid and rookie running back Henderson exploded on game day with 147 rushing yards and two exhilerating scores of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - establishing himself as just the fifth ball carrier to break 22 miles per hour this year on his initial touchdown
Although you can argue who 'the top team' is technically, the Pats should be favourites to end with the best record due to their schedule - which includes just a single matchup against a winning team, although a significant contest against Buffalo
Visiting Baltimore is also tough, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West with the Chiefs to face two times, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also challenge for first place but encounter the identical challenge) and also the Packers on the fixture list
The Colts also play the Chiefs, and have the Seahawks, San Francisco and two matchups with the 5-4 Jaguars to contend with. There's a considerable distance to go but the door is open for a shock top seed in the AFC
Next Week - Los Angeles and Seattle Set for Week 11 Clash
Both squads with strong arguments to be superior to all of the three different 8-2 sides are NFC West opponents the Seahawks and Los Angeles, who each put up forty points to reach seven and two ahead of the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster meeting between the two in Los Angeles
They've both won four in a row, have quarterbacks in Matthew Stafford and Darnold playing at an elite level (although Darnold had ball security problems on Sunday) with top receivers, and defensive units allowing under 20 points a contest
Each could realistically be without a loss as too - particularly the Rams as their two defeats came in extra time against the 49ers and then that painful defeat in Philly when they had a potentially winning field goal with the final play deflected and run back by the Eagles for a touchdown
The Seahawks were also defeated to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in the opening week, before falling to the final play of the contest against the Buccaneers - so they're genuinely among the top teams in the NFL
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the most exciting of the year so far
Top Performer - Taylor
Taylor might be on for a historic year after his incredible display in Germany - running for 244 yards, scoring three touchdowns and contributing an additional forty-two {receiving yards