Bills' Bay Day Gives New England Path to Top Spot - Highlights of Week 10 NFL Action
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The tenth week once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that draws so many people into the NFL
This outcome could have created things up for the New England Patriots to creep back into a leading position they used to occupy, with a remaining games that gives them an edge over their eight and two rivals
Meanwhile in the National Football Conference the Seattle Seahawks and Rams had ideal outcomes to arrange a major confrontation in week 11, while our player of the week is chasing records as well as the MVP award
Analysis - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?
Was it just an emotional comedown from defeating Kansas City the previous week or a deeper issue? This remains the question for the Buffalo team to address
The Bills had won seven in a consecutive games against Miami but were outperformed from the beginning as the Dolphins ran out 30-13 winners in an surprising result - and performance
MVP Josh Allen only achieved the squad's opening first down in the third period and first points in the final quarter - admittedly the Dolphins had 10 days to get ready but it was still a significant failure produced by one of the league's top offences
Dolphins quarterback Tua threw two scores but running back De'Von Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 total yards and two scores
Bottling up the league's best running game was crucial too, with James Cook and teammates recording just 86 yards, their fewest of the year and slightly more than half their 161.5-yard season average
Then there were the three critical ball losses, and the pair from Allen in particular. An interception in the scoring area resulting in a nine minute possession yielded no points, and his final quarter fumble that Miami turned into a touchdown just later
It was typical 'previous Bills teams' as they hurt themselves in the foot, getting into a hole on defense and Allen trying to do too much to dig his team out of it - not the composed, controlled, well-balanced Buffalo team we've witnessed this season
Miami have served up a bit of everything this season so the jury's out on whether this is the beginning of something, but for Buffalo they'll need an immediate bounce-back in a difficult matchup against Tampa Bay in week 11 as the New England are sneaking into a nice lead at the summit of the AFC East
Spotlight - New England Identify Route to Unexpected First Place
Speaking of the New England, they're one of three different 8-2 teams in the NFL, all American Football Conference teams, but are they the top team?
One could find flaws in New England, Denver and the Colts actually for feasting on the lesser sides, with only five of their total 24 wins coming against teams with a positive record - and one example was the Colts beating the Broncos
The Broncos defeated the reigning champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the final quarter while Indy can ride Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's win in Tampa to their prime time success in Orchard Park appears to be a statement
Their pair of losses occurred in new head coach Mike Vrabel's first three contests, with seven straight wins, similar to the Broncos, since then - but taking down Mayfield after the Bucs had a week off to get ready was significant
Drake Maye's MVP claims continue to be discussed, and he certainly earns point for bravery after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa but persevering to guide his team to victory
The defensive unit is solid and rookie rusher TreVeyon Henderson exploded on game day with 147 yards and two exhilerating touchdowns of 55 and 69 yards - establishing himself as just the fifth different ball carrier to break 22mph this year on his first score
Although you can argue who 'the top team' is statistically, the Patriots should be favourites to end with the best record due to their schedule - which features just a single matchup against a successful opponent, albeit a significant contest against Buffalo
Visiting the Ravens is also tough, but the Broncos have it more difficult in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to face two times, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also challenge for top seed but encounter the identical challenge) and also the Packers on the fixture list
The Colts also face the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, San Francisco and two matchups with the 5-4 Jacksonville to face. There is a considerable distance to go but the door is available for a surprise top seed in the AFC
Coming Up - Los Angeles and Seattle Set for Next Week Clash
Two teams with solid claims to be superior to all of the three 8-2 teams are NFC West opponents the Seahawks and Rams, who both put up 40 burgers to go to 7-2 ahead of the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster meeting between the pair in Los Angeles
They've both secured four victories in a consecutive games, have signal callers in Matthew Stafford and Darnold playing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had turnover issues on Sunday) with top receivers, and defensive units giving up fewer than twenty points a contest
Each could realistically be without a loss as well - particularly the Los Angeles as their two defeats occurred in extra time against the 49ers and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a game-winning field goal with the final play blocked and returned by the Eagles for a score
The Seahawks also lost to the 49ers, with a late touchdown in week one, before losing to the final play of the game against the Buccaneers - so they're genuinely among the top teams in the NFL
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the most exciting of the year to date
Top Performer - Jonathan Taylor
Jonathan Taylor could be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Germany - running for 244 yards, scoring three scores and contributing another forty-two {receiving yards