Buffalo's Disappointing Performance Opens New England Path to AFC East Lead - Best of NFL Week 10
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The tenth week again delivered, with a huge upset for the Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that draws so many people into the NFL
This outcome may have opened opportunities for the Patriots to creep back into a leading position they formerly held, with a remaining games that gives them an edge over their eight and two competitors
Over in the NFC the Seahawks and Rams had perfect results to arrange a monster clash next week, 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 defeating Kansas City the previous week or something more? This remains the question for the Bills to answer
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 eye-opening result - and performance
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only got the squad's initial first down in the third quarter and initial scoring in the fourth - yes the Dolphins had ten days to prepare but it was still a massive egg laid by one of the league's top offences
Dolphins quarterback Tua passed for two scores but running back Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 combined yards and two touchdowns
Containing the league's best rushing attack was crucial too, with Cook and teammates registering just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the year and slightly more than half their 161.5 yard average
Then there were the three crucial turnovers, and the pair from Josh Allen in particular. An pass caught by defense in the end zone meaning a nine minute possession produced nothing, and his final quarter fumble that the Dolphins converted to seven points just later
It was classic 'old Buffalo' as they hurt themselves in the foot, falling into a hole on defense and Josh Allen attempting to do too much to rescue his squad out of it - not the composed, controlled, well-balanced Bills we've witnessed this season
The Dolphins have served up a varied performances this season so the jury's out on if this is the beginning of a trend, but for the Bills they'll require an instant response in a difficult matchup against the Buccaneers next week as the Patriots are sneaking into a comfortable advantage at the top of the American Football Conference East
In Focus - New England See Path to Surprise Top Seed
Speaking of the Patriots, they're one of three different 8-2 teams in the league, all American Football Conference teams, but are they the top team?
One could find flaws in the Patriots, Denver and Indianapolis really for dominating the weaker opponents, with only five of their total 24 wins coming against teams with a positive record - and one of those was the Indianapolis defeating the Broncos
Denver defeated the champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the final quarter while Indianapolis can rely on Taylor, but the Patriots including Sunday's victory in Tampa to their primtime success in Buffalo appears to be a declaration
Their pair of losses occurred in new head coach Mike Vrabel's first three games, with seven consecutive wins, similar to the Broncos, from that point - but taking down Baker Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a week off to prepare was significant
Maye's MVP claims 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 side to success
The defensive unit is reliable and first-year running back Henderson burst onto the scene on Sunday with 147 yards and two exciting touchdowns of 55 and 69 yards - becoming just the fifth ball carrier to exceed 22mph this season on his first score
While you can debate who 'the top team' is statistically, the Pats should be favorites to finish with the top record thanks to their schedule - which features just a single matchup against a winning team, although a significant contest against Buffalo
Traveling to the Ravens is challenging too, but the Broncos have it more difficult in the AFC West with the Kansas City to face two times, the Chargers (who might also compete for first place but encounter the same problem) and also the Green Bay on the schedule
The Colts also play the Chiefs, and have the Seahawks, 49ers and two games with the 5-4 Jacksonville to contend with. There is a considerable distance to travel but the door is available for a surprise number one position in the AFC
Coming Up - Los Angeles and Seattle Set for Next Week Showdown
Two teams with strong arguments to be better than all of the three different eight and two sides are National Football Conference West rivals the Seattle and Los Angeles, who both put up forty points to go to 7-2 before next week's major meeting between the pair in Los Angeles
Both have won four in a consecutive games, have signal callers in Stafford and Darnold playing at an high standard (although Sam Darnold had turnover issues on Sunday) with top receivers, and defenses allowing under 20 points a game
Both could realistically be without a loss as well - particularly the Los Angeles as their two defeats came in extra time against the San Francisco and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a potentially winning kick with the final play deflected and run back by the Philadelphia for a touchdown
Seattle were also defeated to the 49ers, with a late touchdown in the opening week, before losing to the last kick of the contest against the Tampa Bay - so they're genuinely two of the best sides in the NFL
The next matchup on Sunday could be the best of the season to date
Top Performer - Taylor
Taylor could be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Germany - rushing for 244 rushing yards, registering three scores and contributing an additional forty-two {receiving yards