Buffalo's Disappointing Performance Gives New England Path to Top Spot - Best of NFL Week 10
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The tenth week once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' saying that attracts so many people into the National Football League
This outcome may have opened things up for the New England Patriots to creep back into a top spot they formerly held, with a schedule that provides them an advantage over their eight and two rivals
Over in the NFC the Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had ideal outcomes to arrange a monster clash in week 11, while our player of the week is pursuing milestones as well as the Most Valuable Player award
The Breakdown - Simply an Off Day for the Bills?
Was it just an emotional letdown from defeating Kansas City the previous week or a deeper issue? That's the question for the Bills to address
The Bills had won seven in a consecutive games against Miami but were outperformed from the start as the Miami team ran out 30-13 victors in an surprising outcome - and display
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the squad's initial first down in the third period and initial scoring in the fourth - yes Miami had ten days to prepare but it was nonetheless a significant failure produced by one of the league's best offenses
Dolphins quarterback Tua passed for two scores but rusher Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 total yards and two touchdowns
Containing the NFL's top running game was crucial too, with James Cook and teammates registering just 86 yards, their fewest of the season and slightly more than half their 161.5 yard average
Then there were the three critical turnovers, and the two from Josh Allen in particular. An interception in the scoring area resulting in a nine-minute possession produced nothing, and his final quarter fumble that the Dolphins turned into a touchdown just two plays
It was classic 'previous Bills teams' as they shot themselves in the foot, getting into a hole on defense and Josh Allen trying to overcompensate to rescue his squad from the situation - not the calm, controlled, balanced Bills we've witnessed this year
Miami have demonstrated a bit of everything this season so the verdict is uncertain on whether this is the start of a trend, but for Buffalo they'll require an instant response in a tough game against Tampa Bay next week as the New England are sneaking into a comfortable advantage at the summit of the American Football Conference East
Spotlight - New England Identify Route to Unexpected First Place
Speaking of the Patriots, they're among three different 8-2 squads in the NFL, all American Football Conference teams, but are they the top team?
You can find flaws in the Patriots, Denver and the Colts actually for feasting on the weaker opponents, with just five of their combined 24 victories achieved against opponents with a winning record - and one of those was the Colts defeating the Denver
Denver beat the reigning champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the final quarter while Indy can ride Jonathan Taylor, but the New England adding Sunday's win in Tampa to their primtime success in Buffalo seems like a statement
Their two defeats occurred in recently appointed coach Vrabel's first three contests, with seven consecutive wins, just like the Broncos, from that point - but taking down Baker Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a bye to get ready was significant
Drake Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials continue to be discussed, and he certainly deserves credit for bravery after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa Bay but hanging in there to steer his side to success
The defense is reliable and first-year running back Henderson exploded on game day with 147 rushing yards and two exciting touchdowns of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - becoming just the fifth runner to break 22mph this season on his first score
Although you can debate who 'the top team' is technically, the Pats should be favorites to end with the best record thanks to their remaining opponents - which includes just a single matchup against a winning team, albeit a significant contest against Buffalo
Visiting Baltimore is also tough, but the Broncos have it more difficult in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to face two times, the Chargers (who might also compete for first place but face the identical challenge) and additionally the Green Bay on the fixture list
The Colts also play the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, San Francisco and two games with the five and four Jacksonville to face. There is a long way to go but the door is available for a surprise top seed in the AFC
Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Prepare for Week 11 Clash
Two teams with solid claims to be better than all of the three different 8-2 sides are NFC West rivals the Seahawks and Los Angeles, who each put up 40 burgers to reach seven and two before next week's Hollywood blockbuster meeting between the pair in LA
Both have won four in a consecutive games, have signal callers in Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold performing at an elite level (although Darnold had turnover issues on game day) with excellent pass catchers, and defensive units giving up fewer than twenty points a game
Each could realistically be undefeated as too - particularly the Rams as their pair of losses occurred in overtime against the 49ers and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a game-winning field goal with the last kick blocked and run back by the Philadelphia for a touchdown
The Seahawks were also defeated to the 49ers, with a late touchdown in the opening week, before losing to the last kick of the game against the Buccaneers - so they are genuinely two of the top teams in the NFL
The next matchup on Sunday could be the most exciting of the year to date
Top Performer - Jonathan Taylor
Taylor could be on for a historic year after his incredible display in Berlin - rushing for 244 yards, scoring three touchdowns and adding an additional 42 {receiving yards