Buffalo's Bay Day Gives Patriots Path to Top Spot - Highlights of Week 10 NFL Action
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The tenth week again delivered, with a huge upset for the Buffalo Bills proving the 'any given Sunday' mantra that draws so many fans into the National Football League
That result may have opened opportunities for the Patriots to creep back into a leading position they used to occupy, with a remaining games that gives them an edge over their 8-2 rivals
Meanwhile in the National Football Conference the Seahawks and Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a monster clash next week, while our player of the week is pursuing milestones as well as the Most Valuable Player award
The Breakdown - Just a Bad Day for the Bills?
Was it just an emotional comedown from beating the Chiefs the previous week or a deeper issue? That's the question for the Buffalo team to answer
The Bills had won seven in a consecutive games against the Dolphins but were second best from the beginning as the Dolphins ran out 30-13 winners in an eye-opening result - 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 still a significant failure laid by one of the league's top offences
Dolphins quarterback Tua threw two scores but rusher Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 combined yards and two scores
Bottling up the NFL's top running game was also key, with Cook and teammates registering just eighty-six yards, their fewest of the year and slightly more than half their 161.5-yard season average
Then there were the three crucial turnovers, and the pair from Josh Allen in particular. An interception in the end zone meaning a nine minute possession produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter fumble that the Dolphins turned into seven points just later
It was classic 'previous Bills teams' as they shot themselves in the foot, falling into a hole on defensive side and Josh Allen attempting to overcompensate to dig his team from the situation - rather than the calm, controlled, well-balanced Bills we've seen this year
The Dolphins have served up a bit of everything this year so the jury's out on if this is the beginning of something, but for the Bills they'll need an immediate bounce-back in a difficult matchup against the Buccaneers in week 11 as the Patriots are quietly moving into a nice lead at the top of the American Football Conference East
In Focus - New England See Path to Unexpected First Place
Speaking of the New England, they're among three different 8-2 teams in the NFL, all American Football Conference teams, but could they be the top team?
One could find flaws in the Patriots, the Broncos and Indianapolis actually for feasting on the lesser sides, with only five of their total 24 victories coming against teams with a winning record - and one example was the Colts beating the Broncos
The Broncos beat the champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are masters of the final quarter while Indy can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the New England adding Sunday's victory in Tampa Bay to their primtime win in Buffalo appears to be a statement
Their two defeats occurred in new head coach Vrabel's first three contests, with seven straight wins, just like the Broncos, from that point - but defeating Baker Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a bye to get ready was significant
Maye's MVP claims continue to be discussed, and he certainly earns point for courage after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa but hanging in there to steer his side to victory
The defense is solid and first-year running back TreVeyon Henderson burst onto the scene on game day with 147 rushing yards and two exciting touchdowns of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - becoming just the fifth ball carrier to break 22mph this season on his initial touchdown
While you can debate who 'the best' is technically, the Pats should be favorites to finish with the best record due to their remaining opponents - which includes just one game against a successful opponent, although a huge one against the Bills
Visiting the Ravens is challenging too, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West with the Kansas City to play twice, the Los Angeles Chargers (who could also challenge for first place but face the same problem) and additionally the Green Bay on the schedule
The Colts also face the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, San Francisco and two games with the five and four Jaguars to contend with. There is a long way to travel but the opportunity is open for a shock top seed in the AFC
Coming Up - Rams & Seahawks Set for Week 11 Showdown
Both squads with strong arguments to be superior to all of the three 8-2 sides are NFC West opponents the Seattle and Rams, who each put up 40 burgers to go to seven and two ahead of next week's major meeting between the pair in Los Angeles
They've both won four in a row, have quarterbacks 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 fewer than twenty points a contest
Each could realistically be without a loss as too - especially the Los Angeles as their pair of losses occurred in extra time against the San Francisco and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a potentially winning field goal with the last kick deflected and returned by the Eagles for a score
Seattle also lost to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in the opening week, before falling to the final play of the game against the Buccaneers - so they are truly among the best sides in the NFL
The next matchup on Sunday could be the best of the season so far
Player of the Week - Jonathan Taylor
Jonathan Taylor might be on for a record season after his incredible display in Berlin - running for 244 rushing yards, registering three touchdowns and adding an additional forty-two {receiving yards