Buffalo's Bay Day Opens New England Route to AFC East Lead - Best 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 draws so many fans into the National Football League
This outcome could have created things up for the New England Patriots to creep back into a leading position they used to occupy, with a schedule that gives 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 next week, while our top performer is chasing records as well as the MVP award
Analysis - Simply an Off Day for the Bills?
Could it simply have been an emotional letdown from beating the Chiefs last week or something more? This remains the question for the Buffalo team to address
The Buffalo squad had secured seven victories in a row against Miami but were outperformed from the beginning as the Miami team ran out 30-13 winners in an surprising result - and display
MVP Josh Allen only got the squad's opening first down in the third quarter and first points in the fourth - yes Miami had ten days to get ready but it was still a significant failure produced by one of the league's top offences
Tua Tagovailoa passed for two touchdowns but rusher De'Von Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 combined yards and two scores
Containing the league's best running game was crucial too, with Cook and company registering just eighty-six yards, their fewest of the season and just over fifty percent their 161.5 yard season average
Additionally there were the three crucial ball losses, and the pair from Josh Allen specifically. An interception in the end zone resulting in a nine-minute possession produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that the Dolphins turned into a touchdown just two plays
It was classic 'old Buffalo' as they shot themselves in the foot, getting into a deficit on defensive side and Allen trying to do too much to dig his team out of it - not the calm, controlled, balanced Buffalo team we've witnessed this year
The Dolphins have demonstrated a varied performances this year so the jury's out on if this is the start of a trend, but for the Bills they'll require an instant response in a tough game against the Buccaneers in week 11 as the New England are quietly moving into a nice lead at the summit of the AFC East
In Focus - New England See Path to Unexpected First Place
Regarding the Patriots, they're among three eight and two squads in the NFL, all AFC teams, but could they be the top team?
One could pick holes in New England, Denver and Indianapolis actually for dominating the weaker opponents, with only five of their total 24 victories achieved against opponents with a positive record - and one example was the Colts beating the Broncos
Denver beat the reigning champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the final quarter while Indy can ride Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's win in Tampa to their prime time success in Orchard Park appears to be a statement
Their pair of losses came in new head coach Mike Vrabel's first three contests, with seven consecutive victories, just like the Broncos, from that point - but taking down Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to get ready was significant
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 team to success
The defensive unit is solid and rookie rusher Henderson burst onto the scene on game day with 147 yards and two exciting scores of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - establishing himself as just the fifth runner to exceed 22 miles per hour this year on his first score
Although you can debate who 'the best' is statistically, the Patriots should be favorites to finish with the best record due to their schedule - which features just a single matchup against a winning team, albeit a significant contest against the Bills
Traveling to the Ravens is challenging too, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to play twice, the Los Angeles Chargers (who could also challenge for top seed but encounter the same problem) and additionally the Packers on the fixture list
The Colts also face the Kansas City, and have the Seahawks, 49ers and two matchups with the five and four Jacksonville to face. There's a considerable distance to go but the opportunity is available for a shock top seed in the AFC
Coming Up - Rams & Seahawks Prepare for Week 11 Showdown
Two teams with solid claims to be superior to all of the three different eight and two teams are National Football Conference West opponents the Seahawks and Los Angeles, who both put up forty points to reach seven and two ahead of next week's Hollywood blockbuster game between the pair in LA
They've both secured four victories in a consecutive games, have signal callers in Stafford and Sam Darnold performing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had turnover issues on game day) with top receivers, and defensive units giving up under 20 points a game
Both could easily be undefeated as too - especially 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 returned by the Philadelphia for a score
The Seahawks were also defeated to the 49ers, with a late touchdown in week one, before losing to the last kick of the game against the Buccaneers - so they are truly among the top teams in the NFL
The next matchup on Sunday could be the best of the year so far
Top Performer - Jonathan Taylor
Jonathan Taylor might be on for a record season after his incredible display in Berlin - rushing for 244 yards, registering three touchdowns and contributing an additional 42 {receiving yards