Bills' Bay Day Gives New England Path to Top Spot - Highlights of NFL Week 10
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Week 10 again delivered, with a major surprise for the Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that attracts so many people into the National Football League
This outcome may have opened things up for the New England Patriots to move back into a top spot they formerly held, with a schedule that provides them an edge over their eight and two rivals
Over in the National Football Conference the Seattle Seahawks and Rams had perfect results to set up a major confrontation next week, while our player of the week 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 a deeper issue? This remains the question for the Buffalo team to answer
The Buffalo squad had secured seven victories in a row against Miami but were outperformed from the start as the Miami team emerged as 30-13 victors in an eye-opening outcome - and performance
MVP Josh Allen only achieved the team's initial first down in the third period and first points in the final quarter - admittedly the Dolphins had ten days to prepare but it was nonetheless a significant failure produced by one of the NFL's best offenses
Dolphins quarterback Tua threw two scores but rusher De'Von Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 total yards and two scores
Bottling up the NFL's top running game was crucial too, with James Cook and teammates recording just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the year and just over fifty percent their 161.5-yard season average
Additionally there were the three critical ball losses, and the pair from Josh Allen in particular. An pass caught by defense in the end zone resulting in a nine minute drive produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that Miami converted to a touchdown just two plays
It was classic 'previous Bills teams' as they hurt themselves in the foot, falling into a deficit on defensive side and Allen trying to overcompensate to dig his team from the situation - rather than the calm, disciplined, balanced Buffalo team we've seen this year
Miami have demonstrated a bit of everything this season so the jury's out on if this is the beginning of something, but for Buffalo they'll require an instant response in a tough game against Tampa Bay in week 11 as the New England are quietly moving into a nice lead at the summit of the AFC East
Spotlight - New England See Path to Unexpected First Place
Regarding the New England, they're one of three different 8-2 squads in the NFL, all American Football Conference teams, but could they be the best?
One could find flaws in New England, the Broncos and the Colts actually for feasting on the weaker opponents, with only five of their combined 24 wins coming against teams with a positive record - and one example was the Colts defeating the Broncos
Denver beat the champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are masters of the final quarter while Indianapolis can rely on Taylor, but the New England including Sunday's win in Tampa to their primtime win in Orchard Park appears to be a declaration
Their two defeats occurred in recently appointed coach Vrabel's initial three contests, with seven consecutive victories, similar to Denver, from that point - but defeating Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a bye to prepare was significant
Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials won't go away, and he definitely earns point for bravery after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa Bay but persevering to steer his side to victory
The defensive unit is reliable and first-year running back TreVeyon Henderson exploded on Sunday with 147 yards and two exhilerating scores of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - establishing himself as just the fifth ball carrier to exceed 22 miles per hour this season on his first score
Although you can argue who 'the best' is technically, the Patriots should be favourites to end with the best record thanks to their remaining opponents - which includes just a single matchup against a winning team, albeit a significant contest against Buffalo
Traveling to Baltimore is also tough, but Denver have it more difficult in the AFC West division with the Kansas City to face two times, the Los Angeles Chargers (who could also challenge for first place but face the same problem) and additionally the Packers on the fixture list
The Colts also play the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, San Francisco and two matchups with the five and four Jaguars to contend with. There's a long way to go but the door is open for a surprise number one position in the American Football Conference
Coming Up - Los Angeles and Seattle Prepare for Next Week Showdown
Two teams with strong arguments to be better than all of the three eight and two teams are NFC West rivals the Seattle and Los Angeles, who both put up forty points to go to 7-2 ahead of the upcoming major game between the two in Los Angeles
Both have won four in a consecutive games, have signal callers in Matthew Stafford and Darnold playing at an elite level (although Darnold had turnover issues on Sunday) with top receivers, and defensive units allowing fewer than twenty points a contest
Both could easily be undefeated as too - especially the Los Angeles as their two defeats occurred in extra time against the 49ers and then that painful defeat in Philly when they had a potentially winning kick with the last kick blocked and returned by the Philadelphia for a touchdown
The Seahawks were also defeated to San Francisco, with a last-minute score in the opening week, before losing to the final play of the contest against the Tampa Bay - so they are genuinely two of the best sides in the NFL
The next matchup on Sunday could be the most exciting of the season so far
Player of the Week - Taylor
Taylor might be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Berlin - running for 244 rushing yards, scoring three scores and contributing an additional 42 {receiving yards