Bills' Bay Day Gives Patriots Route to Top Spot - Highlights of NFL Week 10
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Week 10 once more provided excitement, with a huge upset for the Buffalo Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that attracts so many fans into the National Football League
That result may have opened things up for the Patriots to move back into a leading position they used to occupy, 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 ideal outcomes to set up a monster clash next week, while our top performer is chasing records as well as the Most Valuable Player award
The Breakdown - Just a Bad Day for Buffalo?
Was it just an emotional letdown from beating the Chiefs the previous week or a deeper issue? That's the question for the Buffalo team to answer
The Buffalo squad had won seven in a consecutive games against the Dolphins but were outperformed from the beginning as the Miami team ran out 30-13 winners in an surprising outcome - and performance
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the team's initial first down in the third quarter and initial scoring in the fourth - admittedly the Dolphins had 10 days to prepare but it was nonetheless a significant failure produced by one of the league's best offenses
Dolphins quarterback Tua threw two touchdowns but running back De'Von Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 combined yards and two touchdowns
Bottling up the NFL's top rushing attack was crucial too, with James Cook and company recording just 86 yards, their lowest of the season and slightly more than fifty percent their 161.5-yard season average
Additionally there were the three crucial turnovers, and the two from Allen specifically. An interception in the scoring area resulting in a nine minute drive produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter fumble that Miami converted to a touchdown just two plays
It was typical 'old Buffalo' as they hurt themselves in the foot, getting into a hole on defensive side and Josh Allen attempting to overcompensate to dig his team out of it - not the composed, disciplined, well-balanced Buffalo team we've witnessed this season
The Dolphins have demonstrated a bit of everything this season so the jury's out on whether this is the start of a trend, but for the Bills they'll need an immediate bounce-back in a difficult matchup against the Buccaneers next week as the New England are sneaking into a nice lead at the summit of the American Football Conference East
Spotlight - New England Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed
Speaking of the Patriots, they're among three eight and two teams in the NFL, all AFC sides, but could they be the top team?
You can find flaws in New England, Denver and Indianapolis really for dominating the weaker opponents, with just five of their total 24 victories coming against opponents with a winning record - and one of those was the Colts beating the Denver
The Broncos defeated the reigning champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the final quarter while Indianapolis can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the New England including Sunday's win in Tampa Bay to their primtime win in Orchard Park appears to be a statement
Their pair of losses came in recently appointed coach Mike Vrabel's first three games, with seven straight wins, just like Denver, from that point - but taking down Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to prepare was huge
Drake Maye's MVP claims continue to be discussed, and he certainly deserves credit for courage after taking some hard tackles in Tampa Bay but persevering to guide his side to success
The defensive unit is reliable and rookie rusher TreVeyon Henderson exploded on Sunday with 147 rushing yards and two exhilerating scores of 55 and 69 yards - becoming just the fifth runner to exceed 22mph this year on his initial touchdown
While you can debate who 'the top team' is statistically, the Patriots should be favorites to finish with the top record thanks to their schedule - which features just a single matchup against a winning team, albeit a huge one against the Bills
Visiting Baltimore is also tough, but the Broncos have it even tougher in the AFC West with the Chiefs to play twice, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also compete for first place but encounter the identical challenge) and also the Packers on the fixture list
The Colts also play the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, San Francisco 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 - Rams & Seahawks Prepare for Next Week Showdown
Both squads with solid claims to be superior to all of the three different eight and two sides are National Football Conference West rivals the Seahawks and Los Angeles, who both scored 40 burgers to reach 7-2 ahead of next week's Hollywood blockbuster meeting between the pair in Los Angeles
They've both won four in a consecutive games, have signal callers in Stafford and Darnold playing at an high standard (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on Sunday) with excellent pass catchers, and defensive units allowing fewer than twenty points a game
Each could realistically be without a loss as too - especially the Los Angeles as their pair of losses came in overtime against the San Francisco and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a potentially winning field goal with the last kick blocked and run back by the Philadelphia for a touchdown
Seattle were also defeated to the 49ers, with a late touchdown in week one, before falling to the last kick of the game against the Buccaneers - so they are genuinely two of the top teams in the league
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the best of the season to date
Top Performer - Taylor
Jonathan Taylor could be on for a record season after his incredible display in Berlin - running for 244 yards, registering three touchdowns and adding an additional forty-two {receiving yards