Buffalo's Bay Day Opens Patriots Route to Top Spot - Highlights of NFL Week 10
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The tenth week again delivered, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills proving the 'any given Sunday' saying that attracts so many fans into the NFL
That result may have opened opportunities for the Patriots to creep back into a top spot they formerly held, with a schedule that provides them an edge over their 8-2 rivals
Over in the National Football Conference the Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had perfect results to set up a major confrontation in week 11, while our top performer is pursuing milestones as well as the MVP award
The Breakdown - Just a Bad Day for Buffalo?
Was it just an emotional comedown from defeating Kansas City last week or a deeper issue? That's the question for the Buffalo team to answer
The Bills had won seven in a consecutive games against the Dolphins but were second best from the start as the Dolphins emerged as 30-13 victors in an surprising result - and display
MVP Josh Allen only achieved the team's initial first down in the third quarter and first points in the final quarter - admittedly the Dolphins had 10 days to prepare but it was nonetheless a massive egg laid by one of the league's best offenses
Dolphins quarterback Tua passed for two scores but rusher Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 total yards and two touchdowns
Bottling up the NFL's top rushing attack was also key, with James Cook and teammates registering just 86 yards, their lowest of the year and slightly more than fifty percent their 161.5-yard season average
Then there were the three critical turnovers, and the pair from Josh Allen specifically. An interception in the scoring area resulting in a nine-minute drive yielded no points, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that the Dolphins converted to seven points just later
It was classic 'previous Bills teams' as they hurt themselves in the foot, falling into a deficit on defensive side and Josh Allen trying to overcompensate to dig his team from the situation - rather than the calm, disciplined, well-balanced Bills we've witnessed this year
Miami have demonstrated a bit of everything this year so the verdict is uncertain on whether this is the start of a trend, but for Buffalo 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 Surprise Top Seed
Regarding the New England, they're one of three different 8-2 teams in the NFL, all AFC teams, but could they be the top team?
You can find flaws in New England, the Broncos and Indianapolis really for dominating the lesser sides, with just five of their combined twenty-four wins achieved against teams with a positive record - and one of those was the Colts defeating the Broncos
The Broncos beat the champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the final quarter while Indianapolis can ride Jonathan Taylor, but the New England including Sunday's win in Tampa Bay to their primtime success in Buffalo seems like a declaration
Their two defeats occurred in new head coach Vrabel's initial three contests, with seven straight wins, just like Denver, from that point - but taking down Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to prepare was significant
Drake Maye's MVP claims won't go away, and he definitely earns point for bravery after taking some savage hits in Tampa Bay but persevering to guide his side to victory
The defensive unit is reliable and first-year running back Henderson burst onto the scene on Sunday with 147 yards and two exhilerating scores of 55 and 69 yards - becoming just the fifth runner to break 22 miles per hour this season on his first score
Although you can debate who 'the top team' is statistically, the Patriots should be favourites to finish with the best record thanks to their remaining opponents - which features just one game against a successful opponent, although a significant contest against Buffalo
Traveling to Baltimore is challenging too, but the Broncos have it more difficult in the AFC West with the Kansas City to face two times, the Chargers (who could also challenge for first place but encounter the identical challenge) and also the Green Bay on the fixture list
The Colts also face the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, San Francisco and two games with the five and four Jacksonville to face. There is a long way to travel but the opportunity is open for a shock top seed in the AFC
Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Set for Next Week Clash
Two teams with strong arguments to be better than all of the three different 8-2 teams are National Football Conference West opponents the Seattle and Los Angeles, who both scored 40 burgers to reach seven and two ahead of the upcoming major game between the pair in LA
They've both won four in a consecutive games, have quarterbacks in Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold performing at an elite level (although Darnold had turnover issues on Sunday) with top receivers, and defensive units allowing under 20 points a contest
Each could realistically be without a loss as well - particularly the Rams as their pair of losses came in extra time against the 49ers and then that painful defeat in Philly when they had a game-winning kick with the last kick deflected and run back by the Eagles for a score
Seattle were also defeated to San Francisco, with a last-minute score in week one, before falling to the final play of the contest against the Buccaneers - so they are genuinely among the best sides in the league
The next matchup on Sunday could be the best of the season to date
Top Performer - Jonathan Taylor
Taylor could be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Berlin - rushing for 244 yards, registering three touchdowns and contributing an additional 42 {receiving yards