Bills' Disappointing Performance Gives Patriots Path to Top Spot - Best of Week 10 NFL Action
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Week 10 once more provided excitement, with a huge upset for the Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that attracts so many fans into the National Football League
This outcome may have opened things up for the 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 rivals
Over in the National Football Conference the Seattle Seahawks and Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a monster clash next week, while our player of the week is chasing records as well as the MVP award
Analysis - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?
Could it simply have been an emotional letdown from beating the Chiefs the previous week or a deeper issue? That's the question for the Buffalo team to answer
The Bills had secured seven victories in a row against the Dolphins but were second best from the start as the Miami team ran out 30-13 winners in an surprising outcome - and performance
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only got the team's initial first down in the third period and initial scoring in the fourth - yes Miami had ten days to get ready but it was nonetheless a significant failure produced by one of the league's top offences
Dolphins quarterback Tua passed for two touchdowns but running back Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 combined yards and two scores
Bottling up the NFL's top running game was crucial too, with James 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 two from Allen specifically. An interception in the end zone meaning a nine-minute possession produced nothing, and his final quarter fumble that Miami turned into a touchdown just later
It was typical 'old Buffalo' as they hurt themselves in the foot, falling into a deficit on defensive side and Josh Allen attempting to overcompensate to dig his team from the situation - rather than the calm, controlled, balanced Bills we've seen this year
The Dolphins have demonstrated a varied performances this year so the jury's out on if this is the start of something, but for the Bills they'll need an immediate bounce-back in a tough game against Tampa Bay in week 11 as the Patriots are sneaking into a comfortable advantage at the top of the American Football Conference East
Spotlight - Patriots Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed
Regarding the New England, they're one of three 8-2 teams in the league, all AFC sides, but could they be the top team?
One could pick holes in New England, Denver and Indianapolis actually for dominating the lesser sides, with just five of their total 24 victories coming against teams with a positive record - and one example was the Colts defeating the Broncos
Denver defeated the reigning champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the fourth-quarter while Indy can rely on Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's win in Tampa Bay to their primtime success in Buffalo appears to be a statement
Their pair of losses occurred in new head coach Mike Vrabel's first three games, with seven straight victories, similar to the Broncos, since then - but defeating Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a week off to prepare was significant
Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials continue to be discussed, and he certainly deserves credit for courage after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa Bay but persevering to steer his side to success
The defensive unit is solid and rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson exploded on Sunday with 147 yards and two exhilerating scores of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - becoming just the fifth runner to break 22mph this season on his first score
Although you can argue who 'the top team' is statistically, the Pats should be favourites to finish with the best record due to their schedule - which features just one game against a winning team, although a significant contest against Buffalo
Traveling to the Ravens is challenging too, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to face two times, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also challenge for first place but encounter the identical challenge) and additionally the Packers on the fixture list
The Colts also face the Kansas City, and have the Seahawks, San Francisco and two matchups with the 5-4 Jaguars to face. There is a long way to go but the opportunity is available for a surprise top seed in the American Football Conference
Next Week - Los Angeles and Seattle Prepare for Week 11 Showdown
Both squads with solid claims to be superior to all of the three eight and two sides are NFC West opponents the Seattle and Los Angeles, who each put up forty points to reach seven and two ahead of the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster game between the pair in Los Angeles
They've both won four in a consecutive games, have signal callers in Stafford and Darnold playing at an elite level (although Darnold had turnover issues on Sunday) with top receivers, and defenses giving up under 20 points a game
Both could realistically be undefeated as too - especially the Rams as their two defeats 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 deflected and run back by the Eagles for a score
The Seahawks were also defeated to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in the opening week, before falling to the last kick of the game against the Tampa Bay - so they're genuinely among the top teams in the league
The next matchup on Sunday could be the best of the season to date
Player of the Week - Taylor
Jonathan Taylor might be on for a historic year after his incredible display in Berlin - running for 244 rushing yards, registering three scores and adding another forty-two {receiving yards