Bills' Bay Day Opens Patriots Path to AFC East Lead - Highlights of Week 10 NFL Action
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Week 10 once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that attracts so many people into the NFL
That result could have created opportunities for the Patriots to move back into a leading position they used to occupy, with a schedule that provides them an advantage over their eight and two competitors
Over in the NFC the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had perfect results to arrange a major confrontation next week, while our player of the week is pursuing milestones as well as the Most Valuable Player award
Analysis - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?
Could it simply have been an emotional letdown from beating the Chiefs last week or something more? This remains the question for the Buffalo team to address
The Bills had won seven in a consecutive games against Miami but were second best from the beginning as the Miami team ran out 30-13 victors in an surprising outcome - and display
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only got the team's opening first down in the third quarter and first points in the final quarter - yes Miami had ten days to prepare but it was nonetheless a significant failure laid by one of the NFL's top offences
Dolphins quarterback Tua threw two scores but running back De'Von Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 combined yards and two touchdowns
Containing the NFL's top running game was crucial too, with James Cook and teammates registering just 86 yards, their fewest of the year and just over 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 meaning a nine-minute drive produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter fumble that the Dolphins turned into seven points just later
It was typical 'old Buffalo' as they shot themselves in the foot, getting into a deficit on defensive side and Josh Allen attempting to do too much to rescue his squad out of it - rather than the calm, controlled, balanced Bills we've witnessed this year
The Dolphins have served up a varied performances this year so the jury's out on whether this is the beginning of something, but for Buffalo they'll require an immediate bounce-back 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 Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed
Regarding the Patriots, they're one of three different eight and two teams in the NFL, all AFC sides, but are they the top team?
One could pick holes in the Patriots, Denver and the Colts really for dominating the lesser sides, with just five of their combined twenty-four wins achieved against opponents with a winning record - and one of those was the Colts defeating the Broncos
The Broncos defeated the reigning champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the final quarter while Indy can ride Taylor, but the New England including Sunday's victory in Tampa Bay to their primtime win in Buffalo appears to be a declaration
Their pair of losses came in recently appointed coach Vrabel's first three contests, with seven consecutive victories, just like the Broncos, from that point - but taking down Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to get ready was significant
Drake Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials continue to be discussed, and he definitely deserves credit for courage after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa but hanging in there to steer his side to victory
The defense is reliable and first-year rusher TreVeyon Henderson exploded on game day with 147 yards and two exhilerating touchdowns of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - becoming just the fifth different runner to break 22 miles per hour this season on his initial touchdown
While you can argue who 'the top team' is technically, the Patriots should be favourites to finish with the top record thanks to their schedule - which features just a single matchup against a winning team, albeit a significant contest against Buffalo
Visiting the Ravens is also tough, but the Broncos have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to face two times, the Chargers (who might also challenge for first place but face the same problem) and also the Packers on the fixture list
The Colts also play 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 go but the opportunity is available for a shock number one position in the AFC
Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Prepare for Next Week Showdown
Both squads with solid claims to be better than all of the three eight and two sides are NFC West opponents the Seahawks and Los Angeles, who each scored 40 burgers to go to seven and two before the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster meeting between the pair in Los Angeles
They've both won four in a row, have signal callers in Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold performing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on Sunday) with excellent pass catchers, and defenses allowing under 20 points a game
Both could easily be without a loss as too - particularly the Rams as their pair of losses occurred in overtime against the 49ers and then that agonising loss in Philadelphia when they had a game-winning kick with the last kick blocked and run back by the Eagles for a score
Seattle also lost to the 49ers, with a last-minute score in week one, before losing to the last kick of the game against the Buccaneers - so they're truly among the best sides in the league
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the best of the year to date
Player of the Week - Taylor
Jonathan Taylor could be on for a historic year after his remarkable performance in Germany - rushing for 244 rushing yards, registering three touchdowns and adding an additional forty-two {receiving yards