Bills' Bay Day Gives New England Route to AFC East Lead - Best of NFL Week 10
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Week 10 once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Bills demonstrating the 'any given Sunday' saying that draws so many fans into the National Football League
That result could have created opportunities for the New England Patriots to creep back into a leading position they formerly held, with a schedule that gives them an edge over their 8-2 rivals
Meanwhile in the National Football Conference the Seahawks and Rams had ideal outcomes to arrange a major confrontation in week 11, while our player of the week is pursuing milestones as well as the MVP award
Analysis - Just a Bad Day for the Bills?
Was it just an emotional comedown from defeating Kansas City the previous week or something more? That's the question for the Bills to address
The Buffalo squad had won seven in a consecutive games against Miami but were second best from the start as the Miami team ran out 30-13 winners in an surprising outcome - and performance
MVP Josh Allen only got the squad's initial first down in the third period and initial scoring in the final quarter - yes Miami had ten days to get ready but it was still a massive egg laid by one of the league's top offences
Tua Tagovailoa threw two scores but running back Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 total yards and two touchdowns
Containing the league's best rushing attack was crucial too, with Cook and teammates registering just eighty-six yards, their fewest of the season and slightly more than half their 161.5-yard season average
Then there were the three critical turnovers, and the pair from Josh Allen specifically. An pass caught by defense in the end zone meaning a nine-minute drive yielded no points, and his final quarter dropped ball that the Dolphins turned into seven points just two plays
It was typical 'previous Bills teams' as they shot themselves in the foot, getting into a deficit on defensive side and Allen trying to do too much to rescue his squad from the situation - rather than the calm, disciplined, balanced Bills we've witnessed this season
Miami have served up a varied performances this season so the verdict is uncertain on whether this is the beginning of a trend, but for Buffalo they'll need an instant response in a difficult matchup against Tampa Bay next week as the Patriots are quietly moving into a comfortable advantage at the top of the AFC East
Spotlight - New England See Path to Unexpected First Place
Speaking of the Patriots, they're among three eight and two teams in the NFL, all AFC sides, but could they be the best?
One could find flaws in New England, Denver and Indianapolis actually for dominating the weaker opponents, with only five of their combined twenty-four wins coming against opponents with a winning record - and one of those was the Colts beating the Broncos
The Broncos defeated the champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the final quarter while Indy can ride Taylor, but the New England adding Sunday's victory in Tampa Bay to their prime time success in Orchard Park appears to be a declaration
Their two defeats came in new head coach Vrabel's initial three games, with seven straight wins, just like the Broncos, from that point - but defeating Baker Mayfield after the Buccaneers 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 but persevering to guide his team to success
The defense is reliable and rookie rusher TreVeyon Henderson burst onto the scene on Sunday 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
While you can argue who 'the top team' is statistically, the Pats should be favourites to finish with the best record thanks to their remaining opponents - which features just one game against a successful opponent, albeit a significant contest against the Bills
Traveling to the Ravens is challenging too, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Kansas City to face two times, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also compete for top seed but encounter the same problem) and additionally the Green Bay on the fixture list
The Colts also face the Kansas City, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two games with the five and four Jacksonville to contend with. There's a considerable distance to go but the opportunity is open for a shock top seed in the American Football Conference
Coming Up - Los Angeles and Seattle Set for Next Week Showdown
Two teams with solid claims to be better than all of the three 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
They've both secured four victories in a consecutive games, have quarterbacks in Matthew Stafford and Sam 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
Both could realistically be without a loss as well - especially the Los Angeles as their two defeats came in extra time against the 49ers 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 Eagles for a score
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 league
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the most exciting of the season so far
Player of the Week - Jonathan Taylor
Taylor could be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Germany - running for 244 rushing yards, registering three scores and adding an additional forty-two {receiving yards