Buffalo's Bay Day Opens New England Route to AFC East Lead - Best of Week 10 NFL Action
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The tenth week once more provided excitement, with a huge upset for the Buffalo Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that attracts so many people into the National Football League
That result could have created things up for the Patriots to move back into a leading position they formerly held, with a schedule that provides them an edge over their 8-2 competitors
Meanwhile in the National Football Conference the Seattle Seahawks and Rams had perfect results to set up a monster clash 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 comedown from beating the Chiefs last week or something more? That's the question for the Buffalo team to answer
The Buffalo squad had secured seven victories in a consecutive games against the Dolphins but were outperformed from the start as the Dolphins ran out 30-13 victors in an surprising outcome - and performance
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the squad's initial first down in the third period and initial scoring in the final quarter - yes the Dolphins had 10 days to prepare but it was nonetheless a massive egg laid by one of the NFL's top offences
Tua Tagovailoa threw two touchdowns but rusher De'Von Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 total yards and two scores
Bottling up the league's best running game was crucial too, with James Cook and company recording just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the year and slightly more than half their 161.5-yard average
Additionally there were the three critical ball losses, and the two from Allen specifically. An pass caught by defense in the end zone resulting in a nine-minute drive produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter fumble that the Dolphins converted to a touchdown just later
It was classic 'old Buffalo' as they hurt themselves in the foot, falling into a deficit on defensive side and Josh Allen attempting to do too much to dig his team from the situation - rather than the calm, controlled, well-balanced Bills we've witnessed this year
The Dolphins have demonstrated a varied performances this year so the jury's out on if this is the beginning of something, but for Buffalo they'll require an instant response in a difficult matchup against Tampa Bay 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 Surprise Top Seed
Speaking of the New England, they're one of three 8-2 teams in the league, all American Football Conference sides, but could they be the best?
One could pick holes in New England, the Broncos and the Colts really for feasting on the weaker opponents, with just five of their combined 24 wins coming against opponents with a positive record - and one of those was the Colts beating the Denver
The Broncos defeated the reigning champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the final quarter while Indy can ride Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots including Sunday's victory in Tampa to their primtime win in Orchard Park appears to be a declaration
Their two defeats occurred in recently appointed coach Vrabel's first three games, with seven consecutive victories, just like Denver, from that point - but defeating Baker Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a week off to get ready was significant
Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials continue to be discussed, and he certainly earns credit for courage after taking some hard tackles in Tampa but hanging in there to guide his team to victory
The defense is reliable and rookie running back Henderson burst onto the scene on Sunday with 147 rushing yards and two exhilerating touchdowns of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - becoming just the fifth runner to break 22 miles per hour this year on his initial touchdown
While you can debate who 'the top team' is statistically, the Patriots should be favorites to finish with the best record thanks to their remaining opponents - which includes just one game against a winning team, albeit a huge one against the Bills
Visiting Baltimore is challenging too, but the Broncos have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Kansas City to play twice, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also challenge for top seed but encounter the identical challenge) and also the Green Bay on the fixture list
The Colts also face the Kansas City, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two games with the five and four Jacksonville to face. There is a considerable distance to travel but the opportunity is open for a shock top seed in the AFC
Coming Up - Los Angeles and Seattle Prepare for Next Week Clash
Two teams with solid claims to be superior to all of the three different 8-2 sides are National Football Conference West rivals the Seattle and Los Angeles, who each put up 40 burgers to go to seven and two ahead of the upcoming major meeting between the two in Los Angeles
They've both won four in a row, have signal callers in Matthew Stafford and Darnold performing at an high standard (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on game day) with excellent pass catchers, and defenses allowing under 20 points a contest
Each could realistically be without a loss as well - especially the Los Angeles as their pair of losses came in extra time against the San Francisco and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a potentially winning kick with the last kick deflected and run back by the Eagles for a score
Seattle also lost to the 49ers, with a late touchdown in the opening week, before falling to the final play of the contest against the Tampa Bay - so they're genuinely among the best sides in the league
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the most exciting of the year to date
Player of the Week - Taylor
Jonathan Taylor could be on for a record season after his incredible display in Germany - running for 244 yards, registering three touchdowns and contributing another 42 {receiving yards