Bills' Bay Day Opens Patriots Route to AFC East Lead - Highlights of NFL Week 10
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The tenth week again delivered, with a major surprise for the Bills demonstrating the 'any given Sunday' saying that draws so many people into the National Football League
That result may have opened opportunities for the New England Patriots to creep back into a top spot they formerly held, with a remaining games that gives them an edge over their 8-2 competitors
Over in the National Football Conference the Seattle Seahawks and Rams had ideal outcomes to arrange a monster clash in week 11, while our top performer is pursuing milestones as well as the Most Valuable Player award
The Breakdown - Just a Bad Day for Buffalo?
Was it just an emotional comedown from beating the Chiefs the previous week or a deeper issue? This remains the question for the Buffalo team to answer
The Buffalo squad had secured seven victories in a row against the Dolphins but were outperformed from the start as the Dolphins ran out 30-13 victors in an surprising outcome - and display
MVP Josh Allen only got the team's opening first down in the third quarter and first points in the fourth - yes the Dolphins had ten days to prepare but it was nonetheless a significant failure produced by one of the league's top offences
Tua Tagovailoa threw two scores but rusher Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 combined yards and two touchdowns
Bottling up the league's best running game was crucial too, with Cook and teammates registering just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the year and just over half their 161.5-yard average
Additionally there were the three critical turnovers, and the pair from Allen in particular. An interception in the end zone resulting in a nine minute drive produced nothing, and his final quarter fumble that Miami converted to a touchdown just two plays
It was typical 'previous Bills teams' as they hurt themselves in the foot, falling into a deficit on defense and Josh Allen attempting to overcompensate to rescue his squad from the situation - rather than the calm, disciplined, well-balanced Buffalo team we've witnessed this season
Miami have demonstrated a bit of everything this year so the verdict is uncertain on if this is the beginning of a trend, but for Buffalo they'll require an immediate bounce-back in a difficult matchup against Tampa Bay in week 11 as the New England are quietly moving into a nice lead at the summit of the AFC East
In Focus - Patriots Identify Route to Unexpected First Place
Regarding the New England, they're one of three 8-2 squads in the league, all AFC sides, but could they be the top team?
One could find flaws in New England, the Broncos and Indianapolis actually for feasting on the lesser sides, with just five of their total 24 wins coming against opponents with a positive record - and one of those was the Indianapolis beating the Denver
Denver defeated the champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the fourth-quarter while Indy can ride Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots including Sunday's victory in Tampa to their prime time success in Orchard Park seems like a statement
Their pair of losses occurred in recently appointed coach Mike Vrabel's first three contests, with seven straight victories, just like the Broncos, since then - but defeating Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to get ready was significant
Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials continue to be discussed, and he certainly earns credit for courage after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa Bay but hanging in there to guide his team to victory
The defense is reliable and rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson burst onto the scene on Sunday with 147 yards and two exhilerating touchdowns of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - establishing himself as just the fifth ball carrier to break 22 miles per hour this season on his initial touchdown
Although you can argue who 'the top team' is technically, the Patriots should be favourites to end with the best record thanks to their remaining opponents - which includes just a single matchup against a successful opponent, although a huge one against the Bills
Traveling to the Ravens is also tough, but the Broncos have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Kansas City to face two times, the Chargers (who might also compete for first place but face the identical challenge) and also the Packers on the fixture list
The Colts also play the Kansas City, and have the Seahawks, San Francisco and two matchups with the 5-4 Jacksonville to face. 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 Set for Next Week Showdown
Two teams with strong arguments to be better than all of the three different 8-2 sides are NFC West opponents the Seahawks and Rams, who both put up forty points to reach 7-2 ahead of the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster game between the two in Los Angeles
Both have secured four victories in a consecutive games, have quarterbacks in Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold performing at an elite level (although Darnold had turnover issues on game day) with top receivers, and defenses allowing under 20 points a game
Each could easily be without a loss as too - particularly the Los Angeles as their pair of losses occurred in extra time against the 49ers and then that painful defeat in Philly when they had a potentially winning kick with the final play blocked and returned by the Eagles for a touchdown
The Seahawks also lost to the 49ers, with a late touchdown in the opening week, before falling to the last kick of the contest against the Tampa Bay - so they are genuinely among the best sides in the league
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the best of the year so far
Player of the Week - Taylor
Jonathan Taylor might be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Germany - rushing for 244 rushing yards, scoring three scores and contributing another 42 {receiving yards