Buffalo's Disappointing Performance Opens New England Path to Top Spot - Best of NFL Week 10
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The tenth week once more provided excitement, with a huge upset for the Buffalo Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that attracts so many fans into the NFL
That result may have opened opportunities for the Patriots to creep back into a top spot they used to occupy, with a remaining games that provides them an edge over their eight and two competitors
Meanwhile in the National Football Conference the Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a major confrontation next week, while our player of the week is chasing records as well as the Most Valuable Player award
The Breakdown - Just a Bad Day for Buffalo?
Was it just an emotional comedown from defeating Kansas City last week or something more? This remains the question for the Bills to answer
The Buffalo squad had won seven in a consecutive games against the Dolphins but were second best from the start as the Miami team ran out 30-13 winners in an eye-opening outcome - and performance
MVP Josh Allen only achieved the team's initial first down in the third quarter and initial scoring in the final quarter - yes the Dolphins had ten days to prepare but it was nonetheless a significant failure laid by one of the league's best offenses
Tua Tagovailoa passed for two scores but rusher Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 total yards and two touchdowns
Containing the league's best running game was crucial too, with Cook and company registering just 86 yards, their fewest of the year and slightly more than half their 161.5 yard average
Then there were the three crucial turnovers, and the two from Allen in particular. An pass caught by defense in the end zone meaning a nine-minute drive yielded no points, and his final quarter fumble that the Dolphins turned into seven points just later
It was typical 'old Buffalo' as they hurt themselves in the foot, falling into a deficit on defensive side and Allen attempting to overcompensate to dig his team from the situation - not the calm, disciplined, well-balanced Buffalo team we've seen this season
Miami have demonstrated a varied performances this year so the jury's out on if this is the start of a trend, but for the Bills they'll require an instant response in a difficult matchup against Tampa Bay next week as the Patriots are quietly moving into a comfortable advantage at the summit of the American Football Conference East
Spotlight - Patriots See Path to Unexpected First Place
Regarding the New England, they're one of three 8-2 teams in the NFL, all AFC teams, but could they be the best?
You can find flaws in New England, the Broncos and the Colts actually for feasting on the lesser sides, with only five of their combined twenty-four victories coming against opponents with a positive record - and one example was the Colts defeating the Denver
The Broncos defeated the reigning champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the final quarter while Indianapolis can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the New England including Sunday's victory in Tampa to their primtime success in Orchard Park seems like a declaration
Their two defeats came in new head coach Mike Vrabel's first three contests, with seven consecutive victories, similar to Denver, since then - but taking down Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a week off to prepare was significant
Maye's MVP claims won't go away, and he certainly earns point for bravery after taking some savage hits in Tampa but persevering to steer his side to victory
The defense is solid and first-year running back TreVeyon Henderson burst onto the scene on game day with 147 rushing yards and two exciting touchdowns of 55 and 69 yards - establishing himself as just the fifth different runner to break 22mph this season on his initial touchdown
While you can argue who 'the top team' is technically, the Patriots should be favourites to finish with the best record due to their schedule - which includes just a single matchup against a winning team, although a huge one against the Bills
Visiting the Ravens is also tough, but the Broncos have it more difficult in the AFC West with the Kansas City to play twice, the Chargers (who might also challenge for top seed but face the identical challenge) and additionally the Green Bay on the fixture list
The Indianapolis also play the Kansas City, and have the Seahawks, 49ers and two games with the five and four Jaguars to face. There's a long way to go but the opportunity is open for a shock top seed in the AFC
Coming Up - Rams & Seahawks Prepare for Next Week Clash
Two teams with strong arguments to be better than all of the three 8-2 sides are National Football Conference West rivals the Seattle and Rams, who both put up forty points to reach seven and two before the upcoming major meeting between the two in Los Angeles
They've both secured four victories in a row, have signal callers in Stafford and Sam Darnold performing at an high standard (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on Sunday) with top receivers, and defenses allowing fewer than twenty points a contest
Each could easily be undefeated as too - especially the Rams as their pair of losses occurred in extra time against the 49ers and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a potentially winning field goal with the final play deflected and returned by the Eagles for a score
Seattle were also defeated to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in week one, before losing to the last kick of the game against the Buccaneers - so they are truly among 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 could be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Berlin - running for 244 rushing yards, registering three scores and adding an additional forty-two {receiving yards