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 huge upset for the Buffalo Bills demonstrating the 'any given Sunday' saying that draws so many fans into the NFL
This outcome could have created things up for the Patriots to move back into a top spot they formerly held, with a schedule that gives them an edge over their eight and two rivals
Over in the NFC the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had ideal outcomes to arrange a major confrontation in week 11, while our top performer is pursuing milestones as well as the Most Valuable Player award
Analysis - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?
Could it simply have been an emotional letdown from beating the Chiefs the previous week or a deeper issue? That's the question for the Bills to answer
The Buffalo squad had won seven in a row against Miami but were outperformed from the beginning as the Miami team emerged as 30-13 victors in an eye-opening result - and performance
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only got the team's opening first down in the third quarter and initial scoring in the final quarter - admittedly Miami had ten days to prepare but it was still a massive egg laid by one of the league's top offences
Dolphins quarterback Tua threw two touchdowns but rusher Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 combined yards and two scores
Containing the league's best rushing attack was also key, with James Cook and teammates recording just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the year and just over half their 161.5 yard season average
Additionally there were the three critical ball losses, and the pair from Josh Allen specifically. An interception in the end zone resulting in a nine minute possession yielded no points, and his fourth-quarter fumble that the Dolphins converted to seven points just two plays
It was typical 'previous Bills teams' as they hurt themselves in the foot, falling into a deficit on defensive side and Josh Allen trying to overcompensate to dig his team out of it - not the composed, controlled, well-balanced Bills we've seen this season
Miami have demonstrated a bit of everything this season so the jury's out on whether this is the beginning of something, but for the Bills they'll need an instant response in a difficult matchup against the Buccaneers next week as the Patriots are sneaking into a nice lead at the summit of the American Football Conference East
Spotlight - Patriots Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed
Speaking of the New England, they're among three different 8-2 squads in the league, all American Football Conference sides, but could they be the best?
You can pick holes in the Patriots, Denver and the Colts really for feasting on the weaker opponents, with just five of their total twenty-four victories coming against opponents with a winning record - and one example was the Colts beating the Broncos
Denver beat the reigning champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the fourth-quarter while Indy can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's win in Tampa Bay to their prime time win in Orchard Park appears to be a statement
Their two defeats occurred in recently appointed coach Vrabel's first three games, with seven consecutive wins, similar to Denver, since then - but taking down Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a week off to prepare was huge
Drake Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials continue to be discussed, and he definitely earns credit for bravery after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa Bay but persevering to guide his team to success
The defensive unit is solid and first-year rusher TreVeyon Henderson exploded on Sunday with 147 yards and two exciting scores of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - establishing himself as just the fifth different ball carrier to break 22 miles per hour this year on his initial touchdown
While you can argue who 'the best' is technically, the Patriots should be favorites to finish with the top record thanks to their schedule - which features just one game against a successful opponent, albeit 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 Chiefs to face two times, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also challenge for top seed but encounter the identical challenge) and additionally the Green Bay on the fixture list
The Indianapolis also face the Chiefs, and have the Seahawks, 49ers and two matchups with the 5-4 Jacksonville to contend with. There's a considerable distance to travel but the opportunity is available for a shock number one position in the AFC
Coming Up - Los Angeles and Seattle Set for Week 11 Showdown
Two teams with strong arguments to be better than all of the three 8-2 sides are NFC West rivals the Seahawks and Rams, who each scored 40 burgers to reach seven and two before the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster game between the two in LA
Both have won four in a row, have signal callers in Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold performing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had turnover issues on Sunday) with top receivers, and defensive units allowing fewer than twenty points a contest
Both could realistically be without a loss as too - particularly the Rams as their two defeats came in extra time against the San Francisco and then that agonising loss in Philadelphia when they had a potentially winning field goal with the last kick deflected and run back by the Eagles for a score
Seattle 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're truly two of the best sides in the league
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the best of the season so far
Player of the Week - Taylor
Jonathan Taylor could be on for a historic year after his incredible display in Germany - rushing for 244 yards, registering three scores and contributing another forty-two {receiving yards