Buffalo's Bay Day Gives Patriots Route to Top Spot - Best of Week 10 NFL Action
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Week 10 again delivered, with a major surprise for the Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that attracts so many people into the NFL
That result may have opened opportunities for the Patriots to move back into a leading position they formerly held, with a remaining games that provides them an advantage over their eight and two competitors
Over in the NFC the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a major confrontation next week, while our player of the week is pursuing milestones as well as the Most Valuable Player award
The Breakdown - Simply an Off Day for the Bills?
Was it just an emotional letdown from beating the Chiefs the previous week or a deeper issue? That's the question for the Bills to address
The Bills had won seven in a consecutive games against Miami but were outperformed from the start as the Dolphins emerged as 30-13 victors in an surprising result - and display
MVP Josh Allen only achieved the squad's initial first down in the third quarter and initial scoring in the final quarter - yes the Dolphins had ten days to prepare but it was nonetheless a massive egg produced by one of the NFL's best offenses
Tua Tagovailoa passed for two scores but running back Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 total yards and two touchdowns
Containing the NFL's top running game was crucial too, with Cook and company registering just 86 yards, their fewest of the season and slightly more than half their 161.5 yard average
Then 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 final quarter fumble that Miami turned into a touchdown just two plays
It was classic 'previous Bills teams' as they shot themselves in the foot, getting into a deficit on defense and Allen attempting to overcompensate to rescue his squad out of it - not the calm, controlled, well-balanced Bills we've witnessed this year
The Dolphins have demonstrated a varied performances this year so the verdict is uncertain on whether this is the start of something, but for the Bills they'll need an instant response in a tough game against Tampa Bay next week as the New England are sneaking into a comfortable advantage at the top of the American Football Conference East
Spotlight - New England Identify Route to Unexpected First Place
Regarding the Patriots, they're one of three different 8-2 teams in the NFL, all AFC sides, but could they be the top team?
You can pick holes in the Patriots, Denver and the Colts really for dominating the lesser sides, with only five of their total 24 victories achieved against opponents with a positive record - and one of those was the Indianapolis defeating the Broncos
Denver beat the champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are masters of the fourth-quarter while Indianapolis can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's win in Tampa Bay to their prime time success in Orchard Park appears to be a declaration
Their pair of losses came in recently appointed coach Vrabel's first three games, with seven consecutive wins, similar to the Broncos, from that point - but taking down Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a week off to get ready was huge
Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials continue to be discussed, and he certainly deserves point for courage after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa but persevering to guide his side to success
The defense is solid and rookie rusher TreVeyon Henderson exploded on game day with 147 yards and two exciting touchdowns of 55 and 69 yards - becoming just the fifth ball carrier to exceed 22 miles per hour this season on his initial touchdown
While you can debate who 'the top team' is technically, the Patriots should be favourites to finish with the best record thanks to their schedule - which features just a single matchup against a winning team, albeit a huge one against the Bills
Visiting the Ravens is also tough, but Denver have it more difficult in the AFC West division with the Kansas City to face two times, the Los Angeles Chargers (who could also compete for first place but face the same problem) and additionally the Packers on the schedule
The Colts also face the Kansas City, and have the Seahawks, San Francisco and two games with the 5-4 Jacksonville to face. There's a long way to go but the door is open for a shock 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 better than all of the three different 8-2 sides are National Football Conference West opponents the Seahawks and Rams, who each scored forty points to reach 7-2 ahead of next week's Hollywood blockbuster meeting between the pair in LA
Both have secured four victories in a consecutive games, have signal callers in Stafford and Darnold playing at an high standard (although Darnold had ball security problems on game day) with excellent pass catchers, and defenses allowing fewer than twenty points a contest
Each could easily be undefeated as too - especially the Rams as their pair of losses occurred in overtime against the 49ers and then that agonising loss in Philadelphia when they had a potentially winning kick with the final play blocked and returned by the Philadelphia for a score
The Seahawks were also defeated to the 49ers, with a last-minute score in the opening week, before falling to the final play of the contest against the Buccaneers - so they're genuinely among the top teams in the league
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the best of the year so far
Player of the Week - Jonathan Taylor
Jonathan Taylor might be on for a record season after his incredible display in Berlin - running for 244 rushing yards, scoring three touchdowns and adding an additional 42 {receiving yards