Buffalo's Bay Day Gives New England Route to Top Spot - Best of Week 10 NFL Action
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The tenth week again delivered, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills demonstrating the 'any given Sunday' saying that attracts so many people into the National Football League
This outcome could have created things up for the New England 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
Over in the National Football Conference the Seattle Seahawks and Rams had perfect results to arrange a major confrontation in week 11, while our top performer is chasing records as well as the Most Valuable Player award
The Breakdown - Just a Bad Day for Buffalo?
Could it simply have been an emotional letdown from beating the Chiefs the previous week or a deeper issue? This remains the question for the Buffalo team to answer
The Buffalo squad had won seven in a row against the Dolphins but were second best from the start as the Miami team emerged as 30-13 victors in an eye-opening outcome - and performance
MVP Josh Allen only achieved the squad's opening first down in the third quarter and initial scoring in the fourth - yes the Dolphins had 10 days to get ready but it was still a significant failure laid by one of the NFL's best offenses
Dolphins quarterback Tua passed for two scores but rusher De'Von Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 combined yards and two scores
Containing the NFL's top rushing attack was also key, with Cook and teammates registering just 86 yards, their lowest of the season and slightly more than half their 161.5-yard season average
Then there were the three crucial ball losses, and the pair from Josh Allen in particular. An pass caught by defense in the scoring area resulting in a nine minute possession yielded no points, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that the Dolphins converted to a touchdown just two plays
It was typical 'old Buffalo' as they hurt themselves in the foot, falling into a hole on defense and Allen attempting to do too much to dig his team out of it - rather than the composed, controlled, well-balanced Buffalo team we've seen this year
The Dolphins have served up a bit of everything this year so the verdict is uncertain on whether this is the start of a trend, but for Buffalo they'll require an immediate bounce-back in a difficult matchup against the Buccaneers next week as the New England are quietly moving into a comfortable advantage at the top of the American Football Conference East
Spotlight - Patriots Identify Route to Unexpected First Place
Regarding the New England, they're among three different eight and two teams in the league, all AFC sides, but could they be the top team?
One could find flaws in New England, the Broncos and Indianapolis really for dominating the lesser sides, with only five of their total 24 wins coming against opponents with a positive record - and one of those was the Indianapolis beating the Broncos
Denver beat the reigning champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are masters of the fourth-quarter while Indianapolis can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the New England adding Sunday's victory in Tampa to their primtime win in Buffalo seems like a statement
Their two defeats occurred in recently appointed coach Mike Vrabel's initial three games, with seven consecutive wins, similar to Denver, from that point - but defeating Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a week off to get ready was huge
Maye's MVP claims continue to be discussed, and he definitely earns point for courage after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa but persevering to steer his side to victory
The defensive unit is reliable and rookie rusher TreVeyon Henderson exploded on game day with 147 rushing yards and two exciting touchdowns of 55 and 69 yards - becoming just the fifth different ball carrier to exceed 22mph this season on his first score
Although you can debate who 'the best' is statistically, the Patriots should be favorites to end with the best record thanks to their schedule - which includes just one game against a successful opponent, although a significant contest against the Bills
Traveling to the Ravens is also tough, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Kansas City to play twice, the Chargers (who could also compete for top seed but encounter the identical challenge) and also the Green Bay on the fixture list
The Colts also play the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two matchups with the five and four Jaguars to contend with. There is a long way to travel but the opportunity is open for a shock top seed in the American Football Conference
Next Week - Los Angeles and Seattle Prepare for Week 11 Clash
Both squads with strong arguments to be superior to all of the three 8-2 sides are National Football Conference West opponents the Seattle and Rams, who each put up forty points to reach seven and two ahead of the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster meeting between the two in LA
Both have won four in a consecutive games, have quarterbacks in Matthew 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 fewer than twenty points a game
Each could realistically be undefeated as too - especially the Rams as their two defeats occurred in extra time against the 49ers and then that painful defeat in Philly when they had a game-winning field goal with the final play deflected and returned by the Eagles for a score
Seattle also lost to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in week one, before falling to the final play of the game against the Buccaneers - so they're truly among the top teams in the league
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the best of the season so far
Top Performer - Taylor
Jonathan Taylor could be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Berlin - running for 244 rushing yards, scoring three touchdowns and contributing another 42 {receiving yards