Buffalo's Disappointing Performance Gives New England Route to AFC East Lead - Best of NFL Week 10
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The tenth week once more provided excitement, with a huge upset for the Buffalo Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that draws so many fans into the NFL
This outcome could have created opportunities for the New England Patriots to creep back into a leading position they used to occupy, with a remaining games that gives them an advantage over their 8-2 rivals
Meanwhile in the NFC the Seattle Seahawks and Rams had ideal outcomes to arrange a major confrontation next week, while our top performer is chasing records as well as the Most Valuable Player award
Analysis - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?
Was it just an emotional comedown from defeating Kansas City last week or a deeper issue? That's the question for the Buffalo team to address
The Buffalo squad had secured seven victories in a row against Miami but were second best from the beginning as the Dolphins ran out 30-13 winners in an surprising outcome - and display
MVP Josh Allen only achieved the squad's initial first down in the third period and first points in the fourth - admittedly the Dolphins had ten days to get ready but it was nonetheless a massive egg produced by one of the league's best offenses
Dolphins quarterback Tua passed for two touchdowns but running back Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 total yards and two scores
Bottling up the league's best rushing attack was also key, with Cook and company recording just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the year and just over fifty percent their 161.5 yard season average
Then there were the three crucial ball losses, and the pair from Allen specifically. An pass caught by defense in the scoring area resulting in a nine minute drive produced nothing, and his final quarter dropped ball that Miami turned into a touchdown just two plays
It was typical 'old Buffalo' as they hurt themselves in the foot, getting into a deficit on defense and Josh Allen trying to do too much to rescue his squad from the situation - rather than the calm, disciplined, well-balanced Bills we've seen this year
The Dolphins have demonstrated a bit of everything this year so the verdict is uncertain on if this is the beginning of a trend, but for Buffalo they'll require an instant response in a tough game against the Buccaneers next week as the Patriots are quietly moving into a comfortable advantage at the summit of the AFC East
Spotlight - Patriots Identify Route to Unexpected First Place
Regarding the New England, they're among three eight and two teams in the NFL, all American Football Conference teams, but are they the top team?
You can pick holes in New England, Denver and the Colts actually for dominating the lesser sides, with just five of their combined 24 wins achieved against opponents with a winning record - and one example was the Colts beating the Broncos
Denver defeated the reigning champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the final quarter while Indianapolis can ride Taylor, but the New England adding Sunday's win in Tampa Bay to their primtime success in Buffalo seems like a declaration
Their two defeats came in recently appointed coach Vrabel's initial three games, with seven consecutive wins, just like Denver, from that point - but taking down Mayfield after the Bucs had a week off to get ready was huge
Drake Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials won't go away, and he certainly deserves point for bravery after taking some savage hits in Tampa but hanging in there to steer his team to success
The defensive unit is reliable and rookie rusher TreVeyon Henderson exploded on Sunday with 147 rushing yards and two exciting touchdowns of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - establishing himself as just the fifth runner to exceed 22 miles per hour this season on his initial touchdown
While you can argue who 'the best' is technically, the Pats should be favorites to end with the best record thanks to their schedule - which includes just a single matchup against a successful opponent, although 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 Chargers (who might also compete for first place but encounter the same problem) and additionally the Green Bay on the fixture list
The Indianapolis also face the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, San Francisco and two matchups with the five and four Jacksonville to face. There is a considerable distance to go but the door is available for a shock top seed in the American Football Conference
Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Set for Week 11 Showdown
Both squads with solid claims to be better than all of the three eight and two teams are NFC West opponents the Seattle and Rams, who each put up 40 burgers to go to 7-2 before the upcoming major meeting between the pair in Los Angeles
They've both won four in a consecutive games, have signal callers in Stafford and Sam Darnold playing at an elite level (although Darnold had ball security problems on Sunday) with top receivers, and defenses allowing fewer than twenty points a game
Each could realistically be undefeated as well - particularly the Los Angeles as their pair of losses came in overtime against the 49ers and then that painful defeat in Philly when they had a potentially winning kick with the final play blocked and run back by the Eagles for a touchdown
The Seahawks also lost to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in the opening week, before losing to the final play of the contest against the Tampa Bay - so they're genuinely among the best sides in the league
The next matchup on Sunday could be the most exciting 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 Germany - running for 244 rushing yards, registering three touchdowns and adding an additional forty-two {receiving yards