Buffalo's Disappointing Performance Opens New England Route to Top Spot - Best of Week 10 NFL Action
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Week 10 again delivered, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that draws so many fans into the NFL
That result may have opened opportunities for the New England Patriots to move back into a top spot they formerly held, with a remaining games that gives them an advantage over their 8-2 competitors
Meanwhile in the NFC the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had perfect results to set up a monster clash in week 11, while our player of the week is chasing records as well as the MVP award
Analysis - Simply an Off Day for the Bills?
Was it just an emotional letdown from beating the Chiefs last week or a deeper issue? This remains the question for the Bills to address
The Buffalo squad 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 outcome - and display
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only got the squad's initial first down in the third quarter and initial scoring in the fourth - yes Miami had 10 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 rusher Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 combined yards and two touchdowns
Bottling up the league's best rushing attack was crucial too, with James Cook and company registering just 86 yards, their lowest of the season and slightly more than fifty percent their 161.5-yard season average
Then there were the three crucial turnovers, and the two from Josh Allen in particular. An interception in the end zone resulting in a nine-minute possession yielded no points, and his fourth-quarter fumble that Miami turned into seven points just two plays
It was typical 'previous Bills teams' as they hurt themselves in the foot, getting into a deficit on defense and Allen trying to overcompensate to rescue his squad from the situation - rather than the composed, controlled, balanced Bills we've seen this year
Miami have demonstrated a bit of everything this year so the verdict is uncertain on whether this is the beginning of a trend, but for Buffalo they'll need an immediate bounce-back in a difficult matchup against the Buccaneers next week as the Patriots are quietly moving into a nice lead at the summit of the American Football Conference East
Spotlight - New England See Path to Unexpected First Place
Regarding the Patriots, they're among three 8-2 teams in the league, all AFC sides, but are they the best?
One could pick holes in New England, Denver and Indianapolis actually for dominating the weaker opponents, with only five of their total twenty-four wins coming against teams with a winning record - and one example was the Indianapolis beating the Denver
The Broncos defeated the champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the final quarter while Indianapolis can rely on Taylor, but the New England adding Sunday's win in Tampa to their primtime success in Orchard Park seems like a statement
Their pair of losses occurred in recently appointed coach Mike Vrabel's first three games, with seven straight victories, similar to the Broncos, since then - but taking down Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a week off to get ready was huge
Maye's MVP claims won't go away, and he definitely earns point for bravery after taking some savage hits in Tampa Bay but hanging in there to steer his team to success
The defense is solid and rookie rusher TreVeyon Henderson exploded on game day with 147 yards and two exhilerating scores of 55 and 69 yards - establishing himself as just the fifth runner to break 22mph this season on his initial touchdown
Although you can debate who 'the top team' is statistically, the Patriots should be favourites to finish with the best record due to their remaining opponents - which includes just a single matchup against a winning team, albeit a significant contest against Buffalo
Traveling to Baltimore is challenging too, but the Broncos have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to face two times, the Los Angeles Chargers (who could also compete for top seed but face the identical challenge) and additionally the Green Bay on the schedule
The Colts also play the Kansas City, and have the Seahawks, San Francisco and two matchups with the 5-4 Jacksonville to contend with. There is a considerable distance to go but the opportunity is open for a shock top seed in the AFC
Coming Up - Los Angeles and Seattle Prepare for Next Week Showdown
Both squads with solid claims to be superior to all of the three different eight and two sides are NFC West rivals the Seahawks and Rams, who both scored 40 burgers to go to 7-2 before next week's major meeting between the two in Los Angeles
Both have won four in a consecutive games, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Sam Darnold playing at an high standard (although Sam Darnold had turnover issues on Sunday) with excellent pass catchers, and defenses giving up under 20 points a game
Both could easily be undefeated as too - particularly the Los Angeles as their pair of losses occurred in extra time against the 49ers and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a game-winning field goal with the last kick blocked and run back by the Eagles for a touchdown
The Seahawks also lost to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in week one, before falling to the last kick of the contest against the Tampa Bay - so they are truly two of the best sides in the league
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the best of the season to date
Player of the Week - Jonathan Taylor
Taylor could be on for a historic year after his remarkable performance in Germany - rushing for 244 rushing yards, registering three touchdowns and adding another 42 {receiving yards