Buffalo's Bay Day Gives Patriots Path to Top Spot - Highlights of Week 10 NFL Action
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The tenth week again delivered, with a major surprise for the Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that draws so many fans into the NFL
This outcome could have created opportunities for the New England Patriots to creep back into a top spot they formerly held, with a remaining games that gives them an edge over their eight and two competitors
Over in the NFC the Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had perfect results to set up a major confrontation in week 11, while our top performer is pursuing milestones as well as the MVP award
Analysis - Just a Bad Day for Buffalo?
Could it simply have been an emotional comedown from defeating Kansas City last week or a deeper issue? This remains the question for the Buffalo team to address
The Bills had won seven in a row against the Dolphins but were second best from the beginning as the Miami team emerged as 30-13 winners in an eye-opening result - and performance
MVP Josh Allen only got the team's initial first down in the third period and first points in the final quarter - admittedly the Dolphins had ten days to get ready but it was nonetheless a significant failure laid by one of the NFL's top offences
Dolphins quarterback Tua 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 Cook and company recording just eighty-six yards, their fewest of the year and slightly more than half their 161.5 yard average
Then there were the three critical turnovers, and the pair from Josh Allen specifically. An pass caught by defense in the scoring area meaning a nine minute drive produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter fumble that Miami turned into a touchdown just later
It was classic 'previous Bills teams' as they hurt themselves in the foot, getting into a deficit on defense and Allen trying to do too much to dig his team from the situation - not the composed, disciplined, balanced Bills we've seen this season
Miami have served up a varied performances this year so the jury's out on if this is the beginning of a trend, but for Buffalo they'll need an immediate bounce-back in a tough game against the Buccaneers in week 11 as the New England are sneaking into a nice lead at the summit of the AFC East
Spotlight - New England See Path to Surprise Top Seed
Speaking of the New England, they're one of three different 8-2 teams in the NFL, all American Football Conference teams, but are they the top team?
You can pick holes in New England, the Broncos and Indianapolis actually for dominating the weaker opponents, with only five of their total twenty-four wins achieved against teams with a positive record - and one of those was the Indianapolis defeating the Denver
The Broncos defeated the reigning champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are masters of the fourth-quarter while Indy can rely on Taylor, but the Patriots including Sunday's victory in Tampa Bay to their prime time success in Buffalo appears to be a declaration
Their pair of losses occurred in new head coach Mike Vrabel's first three games, with seven straight victories, just like Denver, since then - but defeating Baker Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a week off to prepare was huge
Drake Maye's MVP claims continue to be discussed, and he definitely earns point for bravery after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa but persevering to steer his team to victory
The defensive unit is reliable and first-year running back TreVeyon Henderson burst onto the scene on game day with 147 yards and two exciting touchdowns of 55 and 69 yards - establishing himself as just the fifth runner to break 22mph this season on his initial touchdown
While you can argue who 'the best' is statistically, the Pats should be favourites to finish with the best record due to their schedule - which features just a single matchup against a successful opponent, although a huge one against the Bills
Traveling to Baltimore is challenging too, but the Broncos have it more difficult in the AFC West with the Kansas City to play twice, the Chargers (who might also challenge for first place but face the same problem) and additionally the Green Bay on the fixture list
The Indianapolis also play the Kansas City, and have the Seahawks, San Francisco and two matchups with the 5-4 Jacksonville to face. There is a considerable distance to travel but the opportunity is open for a shock top seed in the American Football Conference
Coming Up - Rams & Seahawks Set for Next Week Showdown
Two teams with solid claims to be superior to all of the three 8-2 sides are NFC West rivals the Seattle and Rams, who both put up 40 burgers to go to 7-2 before the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster meeting between the two in Los Angeles
They've both secured four victories in a row, have signal callers in Stafford and Darnold playing at an elite level (although Darnold had turnover issues on game day) with excellent pass catchers, and defensive units giving up fewer than twenty points a game
Both could realistically be without a loss as too - especially the Los Angeles as their pair of losses came in extra time against the 49ers and then that painful defeat in Philadelphia when they had a game-winning field goal with the final play deflected and returned by the Eagles for a score
Seattle were also defeated to the 49ers, with a late touchdown in week one, before falling to the final play of the game against the Tampa Bay - so they're truly two of the best sides in the league
The next matchup on Sunday could be the best of the season so far
Top Performer - Taylor
Jonathan Taylor might be on for a historic year after his remarkable performance in Germany - running for 244 yards, scoring three touchdowns and adding an additional forty-two {receiving yards