Buffalo's Bay Day Gives Patriots Route to Top Spot - Highlights of NFL Week 10
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Week 10 again delivered, with a huge upset for the Buffalo Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' saying that draws so many people into the National Football League
That result could have created opportunities for the New England Patriots to creep back into a top spot they used to occupy, with a schedule that gives them an edge over their eight and two rivals
Over in the National Football Conference the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had perfect results to arrange a major confrontation in week 11, while our top performer is pursuing milestones as well as the Most Valuable Player award
Analysis - Just a Bad Day for the Bills?
Was it just an emotional comedown from defeating Kansas City last week or a deeper issue? That's the question for the Bills to address
The Buffalo squad had secured seven victories in a consecutive games against the Dolphins but were second best from the beginning as the Dolphins ran out 30-13 winners in an eye-opening result - and performance
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only got the squad's initial first down in the third quarter and first points in the fourth - admittedly the Dolphins had 10 days to get ready but it was nonetheless a massive egg produced by one of the NFL's top offences
Tua Tagovailoa threw two touchdowns but running back De'Von Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 combined yards and two scores
Bottling up the league's best rushing attack was crucial too, with Cook and teammates registering just 86 yards, their lowest of the year and just over fifty percent their 161.5 yard season average
Additionally there were the three crucial ball losses, and the pair from Allen in particular. An pass caught by defense in the scoring area meaning a nine minute drive yielded no points, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that the Dolphins turned into a touchdown just two plays
It was classic 'old Buffalo' as they hurt themselves in the foot, getting into a hole on defense and Josh Allen attempting to do too much to dig his team out of it - not the composed, disciplined, balanced Bills we've witnessed this season
The Dolphins have demonstrated a bit of everything this year so the verdict is uncertain on whether this is the beginning of something, but for Buffalo they'll require an immediate bounce-back in a difficult matchup against Tampa Bay in week 11 as the New England are quietly moving into a comfortable advantage at the summit of the American Football Conference East
In Focus - Patriots Identify Route to Unexpected First Place
Speaking of the New England, they're among three different eight and two teams in the NFL, all American Football Conference teams, but are they the best?
You can pick holes in the Patriots, the Broncos and Indianapolis really for feasting on the weaker opponents, with just five of their combined 24 wins achieved against opponents with a winning record - and one of those was the Colts defeating the Denver
Denver beat the champion Eagles in Philly and are masters of the final quarter while Indy can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the New England including Sunday's win in Tampa Bay to their primtime success in Buffalo appears to be a declaration
Their pair of losses came in new head coach Mike Vrabel's initial three games, with seven consecutive wins, just like Denver, from that point - but defeating Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a week off to prepare was huge
Maye's MVP claims won't go away, and he definitely earns credit for courage after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa but persevering to guide his side to success
The defensive unit is reliable and rookie running back Henderson burst onto the scene on game day with 147 rushing yards and two exhilerating touchdowns of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - establishing himself as just the fifth ball carrier to exceed 22mph this year on his first score
While you can argue who 'the best' is statistically, the Patriots should be favorites to finish with the top record thanks to their schedule - which features just one game against a winning team, although a huge one against the Bills
Traveling to the Ravens is challenging too, but Denver have it more difficult in the AFC West with the Chiefs to play twice, the Chargers (who could also challenge for first place but encounter the same problem) and also the Green Bay on the fixture list
The Colts also face the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two matchups with the five and four Jacksonville to face. There is a considerable distance to travel but the door is available for a shock number one position in the AFC
Next Week - Los Angeles and Seattle Set for Week 11 Clash
Both squads with solid claims to be superior to all of the three different 8-2 sides are NFC West rivals the Seattle and Rams, who each put up 40 burgers to go to seven and two ahead of the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster game between the two in LA
They've both secured four victories in a consecutive games, have quarterbacks in Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold playing at an high standard (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on game day) with top receivers, and defenses giving up under 20 points a game
Each could realistically be undefeated 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 returned by the Philadelphia for a score
Seattle also lost to San Francisco, with a last-minute score in week one, before falling to the last kick of the contest against the Buccaneers - so they are genuinely among the top teams in the NFL
The next matchup on Sunday could be the most exciting of the season to date
Top Performer - Jonathan Taylor
Taylor might be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Germany - running for 244 rushing yards, registering three scores and adding an additional forty-two {receiving yards