Bills' Bay Day Opens New England Path to Top Spot - Highlights of Week 10 NFL Action
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The tenth week again delivered, with a huge upset for the Buffalo Bills proving the 'any given Sunday' saying that draws so many fans into the National Football League
This outcome could have created things up for the New England Patriots to move back into a top spot they used to occupy, with a schedule that provides them an edge over their eight and two rivals
Over in the National Football Conference the Seahawks and Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a major confrontation in week 11, while our top performer is pursuing milestones as well as the MVP award
The Breakdown - Just a Bad Day for the Bills?
Was it just an emotional letdown from defeating Kansas City last week or a deeper issue? That's the question for the Bills to address
The Buffalo squad had won seven in a consecutive games against the Dolphins but were outperformed from the beginning as the Miami team emerged as 30-13 winners in an surprising result - and performance
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the squad's initial first down in the third period and initial scoring in the fourth - admittedly Miami had 10 days to prepare but it was still a massive egg laid by one of the league's best offenses
Dolphins quarterback Tua passed for two scores but running back Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 combined yards and two touchdowns
Containing the league's best rushing attack was crucial too, with James Cook and company registering just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the year and slightly more than fifty percent their 161.5-yard average
Then there were the three critical ball losses, and the pair from Allen in particular. An interception in the scoring area meaning a nine-minute possession produced nothing, and his final quarter dropped ball that the Dolphins turned into a touchdown just two plays
It was typical 'old Buffalo' as they shot themselves in the foot, getting into a deficit on defensive side and Allen trying to overcompensate to rescue his squad out of it - rather than the calm, disciplined, well-balanced Bills we've seen this season
Miami have demonstrated a varied performances this season so the verdict is uncertain on whether this is the beginning of something, but for the Bills they'll need an instant response in a difficult matchup against Tampa Bay in week 11 as the Patriots are quietly moving into a comfortable advantage at the top of the AFC East
In Focus - Patriots See Path to Unexpected First Place
Speaking of the New England, they're among three 8-2 teams in the league, all American Football Conference sides, but are they the best?
You can pick holes in the Patriots, Denver and the Colts really for feasting on the weaker opponents, with only five of their combined 24 victories coming against teams with a winning record - and one of those was the Indianapolis defeating the Denver
Denver defeated the champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are masters of the final quarter while Indy can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots including Sunday's victory in Tampa to their prime time success in Orchard Park appears to be a statement
Their two defeats occurred in new head coach Mike Vrabel's first three contests, with seven consecutive victories, just like Denver, since then - but defeating Baker Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a bye to prepare was significant
Drake Maye's MVP claims continue to be discussed, and he definitely earns credit for courage after taking some hard tackles in Tampa but persevering to steer his team to success
The defense is reliable and rookie rusher Henderson burst onto the scene on game day with 147 yards and two exhilerating scores of fifty-five and sixty-nine 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 favorites to end with the best record thanks to their schedule - which includes just one game against a winning team, albeit a huge one against the Bills
Traveling to the Ravens is also tough, but the Broncos have it more difficult in the AFC West with the Kansas City to face two times, the Chargers (who could also challenge for top seed but face the same problem) and also the Green Bay on the schedule
The Indianapolis also play the Chiefs, and have the Seahawks, 49ers and two games with the five and four Jacksonville to contend with. There is a considerable distance to travel but the door is open for a surprise top seed in the AFC
Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Set for Week 11 Clash
Two teams with solid claims to be better than all of the three 8-2 teams are NFC West opponents the Seahawks and Los Angeles, who both put up forty points to go to 7-2 before the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster game between the two in LA
They've both won four in a row, have signal callers in Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold playing at an elite level (although Darnold had turnover issues on Sunday) with top receivers, and defenses allowing under 20 points a contest
Both could realistically be without a loss as too - particularly the Rams as their pair of losses came in extra time against the San Francisco and then that painful defeat in Philly when they had a potentially winning kick with the final play deflected and run back by the Eagles for a touchdown
Seattle also lost to San Francisco, with a last-minute score in the opening week, before losing to the final play of the game against the Buccaneers - so they're truly two of the top teams in the NFL
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the best of the year to date
Player of the Week - Taylor
Taylor might be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Berlin - rushing for 244 rushing yards, scoring three scores and contributing an additional 42 {receiving yards