Buffalo's Bay Day Opens Patriots Path to AFC East Lead - Highlights of Week 10 NFL Action
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Week 10 again delivered, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that draws so many fans into the National Football League
This outcome could have created opportunities for the Patriots to move back into a leading position they used to occupy, with a remaining games that provides them an advantage over their eight and two rivals
Meanwhile in the NFC the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had perfect results to set up a major confrontation next week, while our player of the week is pursuing milestones as well as the MVP award
Analysis - Just a Bad Day for the Bills?
Was it just an emotional letdown from defeating Kansas City the previous week or a deeper issue? That's the question for the Buffalo team to address
The Buffalo squad had won seven in a row against Miami but were second best from the beginning as the Miami team ran out 30-13 victors in an surprising outcome - and performance
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the squad's opening first down in the third period and first points in the final quarter - yes Miami had ten days to prepare but it was still a massive egg produced by one of the NFL's best offenses
Dolphins quarterback Tua passed for two scores but rusher De'Von Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 combined yards and two touchdowns
Bottling up the NFL's top running game was also key, with James Cook and teammates recording just eighty-six yards, their fewest of the year and slightly more than half their 161.5 yard season average
Then there were the three critical ball losses, and the pair from Allen in particular. An interception in the scoring area resulting in a nine minute possession yielded no points, and his fourth-quarter fumble that Miami converted to seven points just two plays
It was typical 'old Buffalo' as they hurt themselves in the foot, falling into a deficit on defensive side and Allen attempting to overcompensate to rescue his squad from the situation - rather than the composed, controlled, well-balanced Bills we've witnessed this year
Miami have demonstrated a bit of everything this year so the verdict is uncertain on if this is the start of a trend, but for Buffalo they'll need an immediate bounce-back in a difficult matchup against the Buccaneers in week 11 as the New England are quietly moving into a nice lead at the top of the AFC East
In Focus - New England See Path to Unexpected First Place
Speaking of the New England, they're among three different eight and two teams in the league, all AFC teams, but could they be the best?
One could find flaws in New England, the Broncos and Indianapolis actually for dominating the lesser sides, with just five of their combined twenty-four wins coming against teams with a winning record - and one example was the Indianapolis beating the Broncos
Denver defeated the reigning champion Eagles in Philly and are masters of the final quarter while Indy can ride Jonathan Taylor, but the New England including Sunday's win in Tampa to their prime time win in Orchard Park appears to be a statement
Their two defeats occurred in new head coach Mike Vrabel's first three games, with seven straight victories, just like the Broncos, from that point - but defeating Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a week off to prepare was huge
Drake Maye's MVP claims won't go away, and he definitely deserves credit for courage after taking some hard tackles in Tampa but persevering to steer his side to victory
The defensive unit is solid and rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson exploded on Sunday with 147 rushing yards and two exciting touchdowns of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - becoming just the fifth ball carrier to exceed 22 miles per hour this year on his first score
While you can debate who 'the best' is technically, the Pats should be favorites to end with the best record thanks to their remaining opponents - which includes just a single matchup against a successful opponent, albeit a huge one against the Bills
Visiting Baltimore is challenging too, but Denver have it more difficult in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to play twice, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also challenge for first place but face the identical challenge) and additionally the Packers on the fixture list
The Indianapolis also play the Chiefs, and have the Seahawks, San Francisco and two games with the 5-4 Jaguars to face. There's a considerable distance to travel but the opportunity is available for a shock number one position in the American Football Conference
Next Week - Los Angeles and Seattle Prepare for Next Week Clash
Two teams with solid claims to be better than all of the three different 8-2 teams are NFC West rivals the Seahawks and Los Angeles, who both put up forty points to reach seven and two before the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster game between the pair in LA
Both have secured four victories in a row, have signal callers in Matthew Stafford and Darnold playing at an high standard (although Darnold had turnover issues on Sunday) with excellent pass catchers, and defenses allowing under 20 points a contest
Both could realistically be without a loss as well - particularly the Rams as their pair of losses came in overtime against the 49ers and then that painful defeat in Philadelphia when they had a game-winning field goal with the final play deflected and run back by the Eagles for a touchdown
Seattle also lost to the 49ers, with a late touchdown in the opening week, before losing to the final play of the game 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 to date
Top Performer - Jonathan Taylor
Taylor might be on for a historic year after his incredible display in Berlin - running for 244 rushing yards, registering three touchdowns and adding another 42 {receiving yards