Bills' Bay Day Opens Patriots Route to AFC East Lead - Highlights of NFL Week 10
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Week 10 once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' saying that draws so many fans into the NFL
This outcome could have created things up for the Patriots to creep back into a leading position they formerly held, with a schedule that gives them an edge over their eight and two competitors
Meanwhile in the National Football Conference the Seahawks and Rams had perfect results to set up a major confrontation next week, while our player of the week is pursuing milestones as well as the Most Valuable Player award
The Breakdown - 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? That's the question for the Bills to address
The Bills had won seven in a row against Miami but were second best from the beginning as the Miami team ran out 30-13 victors in an surprising result - and performance
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the squad's initial first down in the third quarter and first points in the fourth - admittedly Miami had ten days to prepare but it was nonetheless a significant failure laid by one of the NFL's best offenses
Dolphins quarterback Tua passed for two scores but running back De'Von Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 total yards and two touchdowns
Containing the NFL's top running game was also key, with James Cook and company recording just 86 yards, their fewest of the year and just over half their 161.5-yard season average
Additionally there were the three crucial ball losses, and the pair from Josh Allen in particular. An interception in the scoring area meaning a nine-minute possession produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter fumble that the Dolphins converted to a touchdown just later
It was classic 'previous Bills teams' as they shot themselves in the foot, falling into a deficit on defensive side and Allen trying to do too much to dig his team out of it - rather than the composed, disciplined, balanced Bills we've witnessed this season
The Dolphins have demonstrated a bit of everything this year so the jury's out on whether this is the start of a trend, but for the Bills they'll need an immediate bounce-back in a tough game against the Buccaneers in week 11 as the Patriots are sneaking into a comfortable advantage at the summit of the AFC East
In Focus - New England See Path to Surprise Top Seed
Regarding the Patriots, they're one of three different 8-2 teams in the league, all American Football Conference teams, but could they be the best?
You can pick holes in New England, the Broncos and Indianapolis actually for dominating the weaker opponents, with only five of their total twenty-four wins coming against teams with a positive record - and one example was the Indianapolis defeating the Denver
Denver defeated the reigning champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the fourth-quarter while Indy can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the New England including Sunday's win in Tampa to their primtime success in Buffalo appears to be a declaration
Their two defeats came in new head coach Vrabel's first three games, with seven consecutive victories, just like the Broncos, from that point - but taking down Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to prepare was huge
Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials won't go away, and he certainly deserves credit for courage after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa Bay but persevering to steer his team to victory
The defense is reliable and rookie rusher TreVeyon Henderson exploded on Sunday with 147 yards and two exciting scores of 55 and 69 yards - establishing himself as just the fifth runner to exceed 22mph this season on his first score
While you can argue who 'the best' is statistically, the Pats should be favourites to finish with the top record thanks to their remaining opponents - which features just a single matchup against a winning team, albeit a significant contest against the Bills
Traveling to Baltimore is challenging too, but Denver have it more difficult in the AFC West with the Kansas City to play twice, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also compete for first place but encounter the identical challenge) and additionally the Green Bay on the schedule
The Colts also face the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two games with the 5-4 Jacksonville to contend with. There is a considerable distance to travel but the door is open for a shock top seed in the American Football Conference
Next Week - Los Angeles and Seattle Set for Week 11 Clash
Both squads with solid claims to be superior to all of the three eight and two sides are NFC West rivals the Seattle and Rams, who each scored 40 burgers to go to seven and two before next week's Hollywood blockbuster game between the two in LA
Both have secured four victories in a consecutive games, have quarterbacks in Matthew Stafford and Darnold playing at an high standard (although Darnold had ball security problems on Sunday) with excellent pass catchers, and defensive units giving up fewer than twenty points a game
Both could easily be without a loss as too - particularly the Rams as their two defeats came in overtime against the 49ers and then that painful defeat in Philly when they had a potentially winning field goal with the final play blocked and returned by the Philadelphia for a touchdown
The Seahawks were also defeated to the 49ers, with a late touchdown in the opening week, before falling to the final play of the contest against the Buccaneers - so they are genuinely among the best sides in the NFL
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the best of the year to date
Top Performer - Taylor
Jonathan Taylor might be on for a record season after his incredible display in Berlin - running for 244 yards, registering three scores and adding another 42 {receiving yards