Bills' Bay Day Opens Patriots Path to AFC East Lead - Highlights of Week 10 NFL Action
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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 people into the NFL
This outcome could have created opportunities for the New England Patriots to move back into a leading position they formerly held, with a remaining games that gives them an advantage over their eight and two competitors
Over in the National Football Conference the Seahawks and Rams had ideal outcomes to arrange a major confrontation next week, while our player of the week is pursuing milestones as well as the MVP award
Analysis - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?
Was it just an emotional comedown from beating the Chiefs the previous week or something more? This remains the question for the Bills to answer
The Bills had won seven in a row against Miami but were outperformed from the start as the Miami team emerged as 30-13 victors in an surprising outcome - and display
MVP Josh Allen only got the team's initial first down in the third period and first points in the final quarter - yes the Dolphins had 10 days to get ready but it was still a significant failure laid by one of the NFL's best offenses
Tua Tagovailoa threw two scores but running back De'Von Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 total yards and two touchdowns
Bottling up the league's best rushing attack was crucial too, with James Cook and company registering just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the season and slightly more than half their 161.5-yard average
Then there were the three critical ball losses, and the pair from Allen specifically. An pass caught by defense 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 later
It was classic 'old Buffalo' as they shot themselves in the foot, falling into a hole on defense and Josh Allen trying to overcompensate to dig his team from the situation - rather than the calm, disciplined, balanced Bills we've seen this year
The Dolphins have served up a bit of everything this year so the verdict is uncertain on if this is the start of a trend, but for Buffalo they'll need an instant response in a tough game against Tampa Bay in week 11 as the Patriots are quietly moving into a comfortable advantage at the summit of the AFC East
Spotlight - Patriots See Path to Unexpected First Place
Regarding the New England, they're among three eight and two squads in the league, all AFC sides, but could they be the top team?
You can pick holes in New England, Denver and Indianapolis really for feasting on the weaker opponents, with only five of their combined 24 victories coming against teams with a positive record - and one example was the Indianapolis defeating the Broncos
The Broncos beat the champion Eagles in Philly and are masters of the fourth-quarter while Indianapolis can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots including Sunday's win in Tampa to their primtime win in Orchard Park appears to be a statement
Their two defeats came in recently appointed coach Mike Vrabel's initial three contests, with seven straight wins, just like Denver, since then - but taking down Mayfield after the Bucs had a week off to prepare was significant
Drake Maye's MVP claims continue to be discussed, and he certainly deserves point for courage after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa Bay but hanging in there to steer his side to success
The defensive unit is solid and first-year running back TreVeyon Henderson burst onto the scene on Sunday with 147 rushing yards and two exciting scores of 55 and 69 yards - becoming just the fifth runner to break 22mph this season on his first score
Although you can debate who 'the best' is technically, the Pats should be favorites to end with the best record thanks to their schedule - which features just a single matchup against a winning team, albeit a huge one against the Bills
Traveling to Baltimore is also tough, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to play twice, the Los Angeles Chargers (who could also challenge for top seed but encounter the same problem) and also the Packers on the schedule
The Indianapolis also face the Chiefs, and have the Seahawks, 49ers and two matchups with the five and four Jacksonville to contend with. There is a long way to go but the opportunity is open for a surprise number one position in the AFC
Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Prepare for Next Week Clash
Two teams with strong arguments to be better than all of the three 8-2 sides are NFC West rivals the Seahawks and Rams, who both scored 40 burgers to reach seven and two ahead of next week's Hollywood blockbuster meeting between the pair in Los Angeles
Both have won four in a consecutive games, have quarterbacks in Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold playing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on game day) with excellent pass catchers, and defenses allowing under 20 points a contest
Both could realistically be without a loss as well - especially the Los Angeles as their pair of losses occurred in overtime against the San Francisco and then that agonising loss in Philadelphia when they had a game-winning kick with the final play blocked and run back by the Philadelphia for a touchdown
The Seahawks also lost to the 49ers, with a last-minute score in week one, before falling to the final play of the contest against the Tampa Bay - so they are genuinely among the best sides in the NFL
The next matchup on Sunday could be the best of the year to date
Player of the Week - Taylor
Jonathan Taylor might be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Berlin - rushing for 244 rushing yards, registering three scores and adding an additional 42 {receiving yards