Buffalo's Bay Day Opens Patriots Path to Top Spot - Best of NFL Week 10
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The tenth week again delivered, with a huge upset for the Buffalo Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that draws so many fans into the NFL
This outcome may have opened opportunities for the New England Patriots to move back into a top spot they formerly held, with a remaining games that provides them an edge over their eight and two competitors
Meanwhile in the NFC the Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had ideal outcomes to arrange a major confrontation in week 11, while our top performer is chasing records as well as the MVP award
The Breakdown - Just a Bad Day for Buffalo?
Could it simply have been an emotional comedown from defeating Kansas City the previous week or a deeper issue? This remains the question for the Buffalo team to answer
The Bills had secured seven victories in a row against the Dolphins but were outperformed from the start as the Miami team emerged as 30-13 winners in an surprising outcome - and display
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the team's initial first down in the third period and first points in the fourth - yes Miami had ten days to get ready but it was nonetheless a significant failure laid by one of the league's best offenses
Tua Tagovailoa passed for two touchdowns but rusher Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 total yards and two touchdowns
Bottling up the league's best running game was crucial too, with Cook and company registering just 86 yards, their fewest of the year and just over fifty percent their 161.5-yard average
Then there were the three crucial turnovers, and the pair from Allen specifically. An interception in the end zone resulting in a nine minute possession produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that Miami converted to seven points just later
It was classic 'old Buffalo' as they shot themselves in the foot, getting into a deficit on defensive side and Allen trying to overcompensate to dig his team out of it - rather than the calm, disciplined, balanced Bills we've witnessed this year
The Dolphins have served up 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 tough game against Tampa Bay next week as the Patriots are sneaking into a comfortable advantage at the summit of the AFC East
Spotlight - Patriots See Path to Unexpected First Place
Regarding the New England, they're among three eight and two squads in the NFL, all AFC teams, but could they be the best?
You can pick holes in New England, the Broncos and Indianapolis actually for feasting on the lesser sides, with just five of their combined twenty-four victories achieved against opponents with a positive record - and one example was the Colts defeating the Broncos
The Broncos defeated the champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the final quarter while Indy can ride Taylor, but the Patriots including Sunday's victory in Tampa Bay to their primtime win in Orchard Park appears to be a statement
Their pair of losses occurred in new head coach Vrabel's first three contests, with seven consecutive wins, just like Denver, from that point - but defeating Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to prepare was huge
Drake Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials won't go away, and he definitely earns point for bravery after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa Bay but hanging in there to guide his team to victory
The defense is reliable and rookie rusher TreVeyon Henderson burst onto the scene on game day with 147 yards and two exhilerating touchdowns of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - becoming just the fifth ball carrier to break 22 miles per hour this year on his first score
Although you can debate who 'the best' is technically, the Pats should be favorites to finish with the top record thanks to their schedule - which features just one game against a winning team, albeit a huge one against Buffalo
Traveling to Baltimore is also tough, but the Broncos have it more difficult in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to play twice, the Chargers (who might also compete for first place but encounter the identical challenge) and additionally the Packers on the schedule
The Colts also play the Kansas City, and have the Seattle, San Francisco and two matchups with the 5-4 Jacksonville to face. There's a long way to go but the opportunity 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 eight and two teams are National Football Conference West opponents the Seahawks and Rams, who both scored 40 burgers to reach seven and two before next week's Hollywood blockbuster meeting between the pair in LA
Both have won four in a consecutive games, have signal callers in Stafford and Darnold playing at an high standard (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on game day) with excellent pass catchers, and defensive units allowing fewer than twenty points a game
Each could easily be without a loss as well - particularly the Los Angeles 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 blocked and run back by the Philadelphia for a touchdown
Seattle were also defeated to the 49ers, with a late touchdown in week one, before falling to the last kick of the game against the Tampa Bay - so they're truly two of the top teams in the league
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the most exciting of the year to date
Player of the Week - Jonathan Taylor
Taylor might be on for a record season after his incredible display in Germany - running for 244 yards, registering three scores and adding an additional 42 {receiving yards