Buffalo's Bay Day Opens New England Path to AFC East Lead - Highlights of Week 10 NFL Action
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Week 10 once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills proving the 'any given Sunday' mantra that draws so many fans into the NFL
This outcome could have created opportunities for the Patriots to creep back into a leading position they formerly held, with a schedule that provides them an advantage over their eight and two competitors
Over in the National Football Conference the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had ideal outcomes to arrange a monster clash next week, while our player of the week is chasing records as well as the MVP award
The Breakdown - Just a Bad Day for Buffalo?
Was it just an emotional comedown from defeating Kansas City the previous week or something more? That's the question for the Bills to answer
The Buffalo squad had secured seven victories in a consecutive games against Miami but were second best from the start as the Miami team emerged as 30-13 victors in an eye-opening outcome - and display
MVP Josh Allen only achieved the squad's initial first down in the third period and first points in the final quarter - admittedly the Dolphins had 10 days to get ready but it was nonetheless a massive egg laid by one of the NFL's top offences
Tua Tagovailoa passed for two scores but running back De'Von Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 combined yards and two scores
Containing the league's best running game was also key, with James Cook and company registering just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the year and slightly more than half their 161.5 yard season average
Additionally there were the three critical ball losses, and the pair from Allen in particular. An pass caught by defense in the scoring area meaning a nine-minute possession produced nothing, and his final quarter dropped ball that Miami turned into a touchdown just later
It was classic 'old Buffalo' as they shot themselves in the foot, falling into a hole on defense and Allen trying to do too much to rescue his squad out of it - not the composed, controlled, well-balanced Bills we've witnessed this season
The Dolphins have served up a varied performances this season so the verdict is uncertain on whether this is the beginning of a trend, but for the Bills they'll require an immediate bounce-back in a tough game against the Buccaneers next week as the New England are quietly moving into a nice lead at the top of the American Football Conference East
In Focus - New England See Path to Surprise Top Seed
Speaking of the New England, they're one of three different 8-2 teams in the league, all American Football Conference sides, but could they be the top team?
You can pick holes in the Patriots, the Broncos and Indianapolis actually for feasting on the lesser sides, with only five of their total twenty-four victories achieved against opponents with a winning record - and one example was the Indianapolis defeating the Broncos
The Broncos beat the reigning champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the fourth-quarter while Indy can rely on Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's win in Tampa to their primtime win in Orchard Park appears to be a statement
Their two defeats came in recently appointed coach Vrabel's initial three contests, with seven consecutive victories, similar to the Broncos, from that point - but taking down Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to get ready was huge
Maye's MVP claims won't go away, and he certainly deserves point for courage after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa Bay but hanging in there to steer his side to victory
The defense is solid and first-year rusher TreVeyon Henderson burst onto the scene on game day with 147 rushing yards and two exciting scores of 55 and 69 yards - becoming just the fifth different runner to exceed 22mph this year on his initial touchdown
Although you can argue who 'the best' is technically, the Pats should be favourites to finish with the best record due to their schedule - which includes just one game against a winning team, albeit a significant contest against Buffalo
Traveling to Baltimore is also tough, but Denver have it more difficult in the AFC West with the Kansas City to play twice, the Los Angeles Chargers (who could also challenge for first place but face the identical challenge) and also the Green Bay on the schedule
The Indianapolis also play the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, San Francisco and two games with the 5-4 Jacksonville to contend with. There's a long way to travel but the opportunity is available for a shock top seed in the American Football Conference
Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Set for Week 11 Clash
Both squads with solid claims to be superior to all of the three different 8-2 sides are NFC West opponents the Seattle and Rams, who both scored forty points to go to 7-2 ahead of next week's major game between the pair in Los Angeles
Both have won four in a consecutive games, have signal callers in Matthew Stafford and Darnold performing at an high standard (although Darnold had ball security problems on Sunday) with excellent pass catchers, and defenses allowing fewer than twenty points a contest
Each could realistically be without a loss as well - especially the Rams as their two defeats occurred in extra time against the San Francisco and then that agonising loss in Philadelphia when they had a potentially winning field goal with the final play deflected and returned by the Eagles for a score
Seattle were also defeated to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in the opening week, before losing to the last kick of the game against the Tampa Bay - so they are truly two of the best sides in the NFL
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the most exciting of the year so far
Top Performer - Taylor
Jonathan Taylor could be on for a historic year after his remarkable performance in Germany - rushing for 244 rushing yards, scoring three scores and adding another forty-two {receiving yards