Bills' Bay Day Gives Patriots Route to AFC East Lead - Highlights of NFL Week 10
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The tenth week once more provided excitement, with a huge upset for the Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that draws so many people into the National Football League
That result may have opened things up for the Patriots to creep back into a top spot they used to occupy, with a schedule that gives them an edge over their 8-2 rivals
Over in the NFC the Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had perfect results to arrange a monster clash in week 11, while our top performer is pursuing milestones 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 the previous week or something more? This remains the question for the Buffalo team to answer
The Buffalo squad had secured seven victories in a consecutive games against the Dolphins but were second best from the start as the Miami team emerged as 30-13 winners in an eye-opening outcome - and display
MVP Josh Allen only achieved the squad's opening first down in the third period and first points in the fourth - yes Miami had 10 days to prepare but it was nonetheless a significant failure produced by one of the league's best offenses
Tua Tagovailoa passed for two scores but running back Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 combined yards and two scores
Containing the NFL's top rushing attack was crucial too, with Cook and teammates registering just eighty-six yards, their fewest of the season and just over half their 161.5 yard season average
Additionally there were the three critical turnovers, and the pair from Allen specifically. An interception in the end zone meaning a nine-minute possession produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter fumble that Miami converted to seven points just two plays
It was typical 'previous Bills teams' as they shot themselves in the foot, falling into a hole on defensive side and Josh Allen attempting to overcompensate to rescue his squad out of it - not the calm, disciplined, well-balanced Buffalo team we've seen this year
The Dolphins have served up a varied performances this season so the verdict is uncertain on if this is the beginning of a trend, but for Buffalo they'll require an immediate bounce-back in a difficult matchup against the Buccaneers in week 11 as the Patriots are sneaking into a nice lead at the top of the AFC East
In Focus - Patriots See Path to Unexpected First Place
Regarding the New England, they're among three different 8-2 squads in the league, all American Football Conference teams, but are they the top team?
You can pick holes in New England, the Broncos and Indianapolis really for dominating the weaker opponents, with just five of their total 24 wins coming against opponents with a positive record - and one example was the Indianapolis beating the Broncos
The Broncos beat the reigning champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the final quarter while Indy can ride Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's victory in Tampa to their prime time win in Buffalo appears to be a declaration
Their pair of losses occurred in new head coach Mike Vrabel's first three games, with seven consecutive wins, similar to Denver, from that point - but defeating Baker Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a bye to prepare was significant
Drake Maye's MVP claims won't go away, and he certainly earns point for courage after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa Bay but persevering to guide his side to success
The defense is reliable and rookie running back Henderson exploded on game day with 147 yards and two exciting scores of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - establishing himself as just the fifth different ball carrier to exceed 22 miles per hour this season on his first score
Although you can debate who 'the best' is statistically, the Pats should be favorites to end with the top record thanks to their schedule - which features just one game against a successful opponent, albeit a huge one against the Bills
Traveling to Baltimore is challenging too, but the Broncos have it more difficult in the AFC West division with the Kansas City to play twice, the Chargers (who might also compete for top seed but face the same problem) and additionally the Green Bay on the schedule
The Indianapolis also play the Kansas City, and have the Seattle, San Francisco and two games with the 5-4 Jaguars to face. There is a long way to travel but the opportunity is available for a surprise top seed in the AFC
Coming Up - Los Angeles and Seattle Set for Next Week Showdown
Two teams with solid claims to be superior to all of the three eight and two teams are NFC West opponents the Seahawks and Los Angeles, who both scored 40 burgers to reach 7-2 before next week's Hollywood blockbuster meeting between the two in Los Angeles
Both have won four in a row, have signal callers in Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold performing at an high standard (although Darnold had turnover issues on Sunday) with top receivers, and defenses allowing under 20 points a contest
Each could realistically be without a loss as too - especially the Rams as their pair of losses occurred in overtime against the San Francisco and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a game-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 losing to the last kick of the contest against the Buccaneers - so they're genuinely among the best sides in the NFL
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the most exciting of the season so far
Player of the Week - Taylor
Taylor might be on for a historic year after his remarkable performance in Germany - running for 244 yards, registering three scores and adding an additional 42 {receiving yards