Bills' Bay Day Gives New England Route to Top Spot - Best 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 National Football League
That result may have opened opportunities for the Patriots to move back into a top spot they formerly held, with a schedule that gives them an advantage over their eight and two competitors
Meanwhile in the National Football Conference the Seahawks and Rams had ideal outcomes to arrange a major confrontation in week 11, while our top performer is chasing records as well as the Most Valuable Player award
Analysis - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?
Could it simply have been an emotional comedown from beating the Chiefs the previous week or something more? That's the question for the Buffalo team to address
The Buffalo squad had won seven in a consecutive games against Miami but were outperformed from the start as the Miami team emerged as 30-13 winners in an surprising outcome - and display
MVP Josh Allen only achieved the team's opening first down in the third period and initial scoring in the fourth - admittedly Miami had 10 days to prepare but it was still a massive egg laid by one of the NFL's best offenses
Dolphins quarterback Tua threw two scores but running back De'Von Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 total yards and two scores
Containing the league's best running game was also key, with James Cook and teammates recording just eighty-six 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 two from Allen in particular. An pass caught by defense in the scoring area meaning a nine minute possession produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that Miami turned into seven points just later
It was classic 'previous Bills teams' as they hurt themselves in the foot, getting into a hole on defense and Allen trying to overcompensate to rescue his squad out of it - rather than the calm, disciplined, well-balanced Buffalo team we've seen this year
The Dolphins have served up a bit of everything this year so the verdict is uncertain on if this is the beginning of something, but for the Bills they'll need 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
In Focus - Patriots Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed
Speaking of the Patriots, they're one of three different 8-2 teams in the NFL, all AFC sides, but are they the top team?
One could pick holes in New England, the Broncos and Indianapolis actually for feasting on the weaker opponents, with just five of their combined 24 wins coming against teams with a positive record - and one of those was the Indianapolis beating the Denver
Denver defeated the reigning champion Eagles in Philly and are masters of the fourth-quarter while Indianapolis can ride Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's win in Tampa to their prime time success in Orchard Park appears to be a declaration
Their pair of losses occurred in recently appointed coach Mike Vrabel's first three contests, with seven straight wins, just like Denver, since then - but taking down Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a bye to get ready was significant
Maye's MVP claims continue to be discussed, and he definitely deserves credit for courage after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa but hanging in there to guide his side to victory
The defense is solid and rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson exploded on Sunday with 147 rushing yards and two exciting scores of 55 and 69 yards - becoming just the fifth ball carrier to break 22 miles per hour this season on his first score
While you can argue who 'the best' is technically, the Pats should be favourites to finish with the top record due to their schedule - which includes just a single matchup against a successful opponent, although a huge one against the Bills
Visiting Baltimore is challenging too, but the Broncos have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Kansas City to play twice, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also challenge for top seed but face the same problem) and additionally the Packers on the fixture list
The Colts also play the Kansas City, and have the Seahawks, 49ers and two matchups with the five and four Jacksonville to face. There's a considerable distance to travel but the opportunity is open for a surprise number one position in the AFC
Coming Up - Los Angeles and Seattle Set for Next Week Showdown
Two teams with solid claims to be better than all of the three eight and two sides are National Football Conference West rivals the Seahawks and Rams, who both put up 40 burgers to reach 7-2 ahead of next week's Hollywood blockbuster game between the pair in LA
Both have won four in a row, have signal callers in Stafford and Darnold performing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had turnover issues on Sunday) with excellent pass catchers, and defensive units giving up fewer than twenty points a game
Each could easily be without a loss as well - particularly the Los Angeles as their pair of losses occurred 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 blocked and returned by the Philadelphia for a touchdown
The Seahawks were also defeated to the 49ers, with a late touchdown in week one, before falling to the last kick of the contest against the Buccaneers - so they are genuinely two of the best sides in the league
The next matchup on Sunday could be the most exciting of the season so far
Player of the Week - Jonathan Taylor
Taylor might be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Germany - running for 244 rushing yards, registering three touchdowns and contributing an additional 42 {receiving yards