Bills' Bay Day Opens New England Path to Top Spot - Best of NFL Week 10
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The tenth week once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that attracts so many people into the NFL
This outcome may have opened opportunities for the New England Patriots to move back into a top spot they used to occupy, with a remaining games that gives them an edge over their eight and two competitors
Meanwhile in the National Football Conference the Seahawks and Rams had perfect results to set up a major confrontation next week, while our player of the week is chasing records as well as the MVP award
The Breakdown - Just a Bad Day for the Bills?
Was it just an emotional letdown from defeating Kansas City 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 Miami team ran out 30-13 winners in an surprising result - and display
MVP Josh Allen only achieved the team's opening first down in the third quarter and initial scoring in the fourth - yes Miami had 10 days to get ready but it was nonetheless a massive egg laid by one of the NFL's top offences
Tua Tagovailoa threw two scores but running back De'Von Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 total yards and two scores
Containing the league's best rushing attack was crucial too, with Cook and teammates recording just eighty-six yards, their fewest of the year and slightly more than half their 161.5 yard season average
Additionally there were the three crucial ball losses, and the two from Josh Allen specifically. An interception in the end zone resulting in a nine-minute drive yielded no points, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that Miami turned into seven points just two plays
It was typical 'old Buffalo' as they hurt themselves in the foot, falling into a deficit on defense and Allen attempting to do too much to rescue his squad out of it - not the calm, disciplined, well-balanced Buffalo team we've seen this season
The Dolphins have demonstrated a bit of everything this season so the verdict is uncertain on whether this is the start of a trend, but for Buffalo they'll need an immediate bounce-back in a tough game against Tampa Bay in week 11 as the New England are quietly moving into a comfortable advantage at the summit of the American Football Conference East
Spotlight - Patriots Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed
Regarding the Patriots, they're among three eight and two squads in the NFL, all American Football Conference teams, but could they be the top team?
You can pick holes in New England, the Broncos and Indianapolis actually for dominating the lesser sides, with just five of their combined 24 victories coming against teams with a winning record - and one of those was the Indianapolis beating the Denver
Denver defeated the reigning champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the fourth-quarter while Indianapolis can rely on Taylor, but the Patriots including Sunday's win in Tampa to their primtime success in Orchard Park seems like a statement
Their two defeats occurred in recently appointed coach Mike Vrabel's initial three contests, with seven straight wins, just like the Broncos, since then - but taking down Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a week off to prepare was huge
Drake Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials continue to be discussed, and he definitely earns point for bravery after taking some hard tackles in Tampa but hanging in there to steer his side to victory
The defense is solid and rookie rusher Henderson burst onto the scene on Sunday with 147 rushing yards and two exciting scores of 55 and 69 yards - establishing himself as just the fifth ball carrier to exceed 22 miles per hour this year on his first score
Although you can argue who 'the best' is statistically, the Pats should be favorites to finish with the top record due to their remaining opponents - which features just a single matchup against a successful opponent, albeit a huge one against the Bills
Visiting Baltimore is also tough, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to play twice, the Chargers (who might also compete for first place but encounter the identical challenge) and also the Green Bay on the schedule
The Indianapolis also face the Chiefs, and have the Seahawks, 49ers and two matchups with the 5-4 Jaguars to contend with. There is a long way to travel but the opportunity is available for a surprise number one position in the American Football Conference
Coming Up - Rams & Seahawks Set for Week 11 Showdown
Both squads with strong arguments to be better than all of the three eight and two sides are NFC West opponents the Seattle and Rams, who both scored 40 burgers to go to seven and two before next week's major game between the two in LA
They've both won four in a row, have signal callers in Stafford and Darnold performing at an elite level (although Darnold had ball security problems on Sunday) 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 field goal with the final play blocked and returned by the Philadelphia for a score
Seattle were also defeated to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in week one, before losing to the last kick of the game against the Tampa Bay - so they're genuinely two of the top teams in the NFL
The next matchup on Sunday could be the best of the year to date
Player of the Week - Jonathan Taylor
Taylor might be on for a historic year after his incredible display in Germany - rushing for 244 rushing yards, registering three scores and adding another 42 {receiving yards