Bills' Bay Day Gives New England Path to AFC East Lead - Best of Week 10 NFL Action
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The tenth week once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' saying that draws so many people into the National Football League
That result could have created opportunities for the New England Patriots to creep back into a top spot they used to occupy, with a remaining games that gives them an advantage over their 8-2 rivals
Over in the National Football Conference the Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had perfect results to set up a monster clash in week 11, while our player of the week is pursuing milestones as well as the Most Valuable Player award
Analysis - Just a Bad Day for the Bills?
Was it just an emotional comedown from beating the Chiefs the previous week or something more? This remains the question for the Bills to answer
The Bills had secured seven victories in a consecutive games against the Dolphins but were outperformed from the beginning as the Miami team emerged as 30-13 victors in an surprising outcome - and display
MVP Josh Allen only got the team's opening first down in the third period and initial scoring in the fourth - admittedly the Dolphins had 10 days to get ready but it was still a significant failure produced by one of the league's top offences
Dolphins quarterback Tua passed for two scores but rusher De'Von Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 total yards and two touchdowns
Containing the NFL's top running game was crucial too, with James Cook and company recording just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the season and slightly more than half their 161.5 yard season average
Then there were the three critical ball losses, and the pair from Allen specifically. An pass caught by defense in the scoring area resulting in a nine-minute possession produced nothing, and his final quarter dropped ball that Miami turned into a touchdown just later
It was classic 'old Buffalo' as they hurt themselves in the foot, falling into a hole on defensive side and Josh Allen attempting to do too much to dig his team from the situation - rather than the composed, controlled, well-balanced Buffalo team we've witnessed this year
The Dolphins have demonstrated a bit of everything this season so the verdict is uncertain on if this is the start of something, but for Buffalo they'll require an instant response in a difficult matchup against Tampa Bay next week as the New England are sneaking into a nice lead at the summit of the AFC East
In Focus - New England See Path to Surprise Top Seed
Regarding the New England, they're one of three different eight and two squads in the NFL, all American Football Conference teams, but are they the best?
You can pick holes in the Patriots, the Broncos and Indianapolis actually for dominating the lesser sides, with just five of their total 24 victories achieved against opponents with a winning record - and one of those was the Colts beating the Broncos
Denver beat the reigning champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the fourth-quarter while Indy can ride Taylor, but the New England adding Sunday's victory in Tampa Bay to their primtime success in Buffalo seems like a declaration
Their two defeats occurred in new head coach Vrabel's first three contests, with seven consecutive wins, similar to the Broncos, from that point - but taking down Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a week off to prepare was huge
Maye's MVP claims continue to be discussed, and he definitely earns point for courage after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa but persevering to guide his team to victory
The defensive unit is solid and rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson exploded on game day with 147 yards and two exhilerating scores of 55 and 69 yards - establishing himself as just the fifth runner to exceed 22mph this season on his initial touchdown
Although you can debate who 'the top team' is technically, the Patriots should be favourites to finish with the top record due to their remaining opponents - which features just one game against a winning team, albeit a huge one against Buffalo
Traveling to the Ravens is also tough, but Denver have it more difficult in the AFC West with the Kansas City to play twice, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also compete for top seed but encounter the same problem) and also the Green Bay on the schedule
The Colts also play the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two games with the 5-4 Jacksonville to contend with. There's a considerable distance to travel but the opportunity is available for a surprise top seed in the AFC
Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Prepare for Week 11 Clash
Both squads with solid claims to be better than all of the three 8-2 sides are NFC West rivals the Seattle and Rams, who both put up 40 burgers to reach seven and two before the upcoming major game between the pair in LA
Both have won four in a consecutive games, have signal callers in Stafford and Sam Darnold playing at an elite level (although Darnold had turnover issues on game day) with top receivers, and defenses allowing fewer than twenty points a game
Each could realistically be undefeated as too - particularly the Los Angeles as their two defeats came in extra time against the San Francisco 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 Eagles for a score
Seattle were also defeated to the 49ers, with a late touchdown in the opening week, before losing to the final play of the contest against the Buccaneers - so they're genuinely two of the best sides in the league
The next matchup on Sunday could be the best of the year so far
Top Performer - Taylor
Jonathan Taylor could be on for a historic year after his remarkable performance in Germany - running for 244 rushing yards, scoring three touchdowns and contributing an additional 42 {receiving yards