Buffalo's Bay Day Gives Patriots Path to AFC East Lead - Best of Week 10 NFL Action
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Week 10 again delivered, with a huge upset for the Bills demonstrating the 'any given Sunday' mantra that attracts so many people into the National Football League
That result could have created things up for the New England Patriots to move back into a leading position they used to occupy, with a schedule that provides them an edge over their eight and two competitors
Over in the National Football Conference the Seattle Seahawks and Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a major confrontation in week 11, while our player of the week is chasing records as well as the Most Valuable Player award
The Breakdown - Just a Bad Day for the Bills?
Could it simply have been an emotional comedown from defeating Kansas City last week or a deeper issue? This remains the question for the Bills to address
The Buffalo squad had secured seven victories in a row against the Dolphins but were second best from the start as the Dolphins ran out 30-13 winners in an eye-opening result - and performance
MVP Josh Allen only achieved the team's opening first down in the third period and first points in the final quarter - yes the Dolphins had ten days to get ready but it was still a massive egg produced by one of the league's best offenses
Tua Tagovailoa threw two touchdowns but running back Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 combined yards and two scores
Bottling up the NFL's top rushing attack was crucial too, with Cook and company registering just eighty-six yards, their fewest of the year and just over fifty percent their 161.5 yard average
Additionally there were the three critical ball losses, and the two from Allen in particular. An pass caught by defense in the end zone resulting in a nine-minute possession yielded no points, and his final quarter fumble that Miami turned into a touchdown just later
It was typical 'previous Bills teams' as they shot themselves in the foot, getting into a deficit on defensive side and Allen attempting to do too much to dig his team from the situation - not the calm, controlled, well-balanced Bills we've witnessed this year
The Dolphins have demonstrated a bit of everything this season so the verdict is uncertain on whether this is the beginning of a trend, but for the Bills they'll require an instant response in a difficult matchup against the Buccaneers next week as the Patriots are sneaking into a comfortable advantage at the top of the American Football Conference East
In Focus - Patriots See Path to Unexpected First Place
Regarding the Patriots, they're among three eight and two squads in the NFL, all American Football Conference teams, but are they the top team?
One could find flaws in the Patriots, Denver and the Colts really for feasting on the lesser sides, with only five of their combined twenty-four victories coming against opponents with a winning record - and one example was the Indianapolis beating the Denver
Denver beat the reigning champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are masters of the final quarter while Indianapolis can rely on Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's win in Tampa to their prime time success in Buffalo appears to be a statement
Their two defeats occurred in new head coach Mike Vrabel's first three games, with seven straight wins, similar to the Broncos, from that point - but taking down Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a bye to get ready was huge
Drake 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 steer his side to success
The defensive unit is solid and rookie rusher TreVeyon Henderson exploded on game day with 147 rushing yards and two exciting scores of 55 and 69 yards - establishing himself as just the fifth different runner to exceed 22mph this year on his initial touchdown
While you can argue who 'the top team' is technically, the Pats should be favorites to finish with the best record thanks to their schedule - which includes just a single matchup against a successful opponent, although a huge one against Buffalo
Traveling to the Ravens is challenging too, but Denver have it more difficult in the AFC West division with the Kansas City to play twice, the Chargers (who could also challenge for top seed but face the same problem) and additionally the Green Bay on the schedule
The Colts also face the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two games with the five and four Jacksonville to face. There is a considerable distance to go but the door is available for a surprise top seed in the American Football Conference
Coming Up - Rams & Seahawks Prepare for Week 11 Showdown
Both squads with solid claims to be better than all of the three different 8-2 teams are NFC West rivals the Seattle and Rams, who each put up 40 burgers to reach seven and two before the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster meeting between the two in LA
They've both secured four victories in a consecutive games, have signal callers in Stafford and Darnold performing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems 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 San Francisco and then that agonising loss in Philadelphia when they had a game-winning kick with the last kick deflected and run back by the Eagles for a score
The Seahawks also lost to San Francisco, with a last-minute score in week one, before losing to the last kick of the game against the Buccaneers - so they're truly two of the best sides in the NFL
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the best of the year so far
Top Performer - Jonathan Taylor
Jonathan Taylor could be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Germany - rushing for 244 yards, registering three touchdowns and adding another forty-two {receiving yards