Buffalo's Bay Day Opens Patriots Path to Top Spot - Best of NFL Week 10
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The tenth week again delivered, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills demonstrating the 'any given Sunday' mantra that draws so many people into the National Football League
That result could have created opportunities for the New England Patriots to creep back into a top spot they used to occupy, with a remaining games that gives them an edge over their eight and two rivals
Over in the NFC the Seahawks and Rams had perfect results to arrange a major confrontation in week 11, while our player of the week is pursuing milestones as well as the MVP award
The Breakdown - Just a Bad Day for the Bills?
Was it just an emotional comedown from defeating Kansas City the previous week or a deeper issue? This remains the question for the Bills to address
The Buffalo squad had secured seven victories in a consecutive games against the Dolphins but were second best from the start 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 first points in the final quarter - admittedly Miami had ten days to prepare but it was still a massive egg produced by one of the league's top offences
Dolphins quarterback Tua threw two touchdowns but running back De'Von Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 combined yards and two touchdowns
Bottling up the NFL's top running game was also key, with James Cook and teammates recording just 86 yards, their fewest of the year and just over fifty percent their 161.5 yard average
Then there were the three critical turnovers, and the two from Allen specifically. An pass caught by defense in the scoring area 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 'previous Bills teams' 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 composed, disciplined, well-balanced Buffalo team we've witnessed this year
Miami have served up a bit of everything this season so the verdict is uncertain on if this is the start of a trend, but for the Bills they'll need an instant response in a difficult matchup against the Buccaneers in week 11 as the New England are sneaking into a comfortable advantage at the summit of the American Football Conference East
Spotlight - New England Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed
Regarding the Patriots, they're one of three different 8-2 squads in the NFL, all American Football Conference teams, but are they the best?
You can pick holes in the Patriots, Denver and the Colts actually for feasting on the lesser sides, with just five of their total 24 wins coming against opponents with a winning record - and one example was the Indianapolis beating the Denver
The Broncos beat the reigning champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are masters of the final quarter while Indy can ride Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots including Sunday's victory in Tampa to their prime time success in Buffalo appears to be a declaration
Their two defeats occurred in recently appointed coach Mike Vrabel's initial three games, with seven straight victories, just like the Broncos, since then - but defeating Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to prepare was significant
Maye's MVP claims continue to be discussed, and he definitely deserves credit for bravery after taking some savage hits in Tampa but persevering to guide his side to success
The defense is reliable and rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson burst onto the scene on Sunday with 147 yards and two exciting touchdowns of 55 and 69 yards - establishing himself as just the fifth different runner to exceed 22mph this year on his first score
While you can argue who 'the top team' is statistically, the Pats should be favourites to end with the top record due to their remaining opponents - which includes just one game against a successful opponent, although a significant contest against the Bills
Traveling to Baltimore is also tough, but the Broncos have it more difficult in the AFC West division with the Kansas City to play twice, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also challenge for first place but encounter the same problem) and additionally the Green Bay on the fixture list
The Colts also play the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two games with the five and four Jaguars to face. There's a long way to go but the door is open for a surprise number one position in the AFC
Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Prepare for Week 11 Showdown
Both squads with strong arguments to be superior to all of the three eight and two sides are NFC West opponents the Seahawks and Los Angeles, who both scored forty points to reach seven and two ahead of the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster meeting between the two in Los Angeles
Both have secured four victories in a row, have signal callers in Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold playing at an high standard (although Darnold had ball security problems on Sunday) with top receivers, and defenses allowing fewer than twenty points a game
Both could easily be undefeated as well - particularly the Los Angeles as their pair of losses occurred in overtime against the 49ers and then that painful defeat in Philadelphia when they had a game-winning field goal with the last kick blocked and returned by the Philadelphia for a score
Seattle also lost to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in week one, before losing to the last kick of the contest against the Tampa Bay - so they are truly two of the top teams in the NFL
The next matchup on Sunday could be the most exciting of the year so far
Player of the Week - Jonathan Taylor
Jonathan Taylor might be on for a historic year after his remarkable performance in Berlin - rushing for 244 rushing yards, registering three scores and adding another forty-two {receiving yards