Buffalo's Bay Day Gives New England Route to AFC East Lead - Highlights of Week 10 NFL Action
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The tenth week once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills demonstrating the 'any given Sunday' saying that draws so many fans into the National Football League
This outcome may have opened opportunities for the New England Patriots to creep back into a top spot they formerly held, with a remaining games that provides them an advantage over their eight and two rivals
Over in the National Football Conference the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a major confrontation in week 11, while our top performer is pursuing milestones as well as the MVP award
The Breakdown - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?
Was it just an emotional comedown from defeating Kansas City last week or a deeper issue? That's the question for the Buffalo team to address
The Bills had won seven in a row against Miami but were second best from the start as the Dolphins emerged as 30-13 victors in an surprising outcome - and performance
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the squad's initial first down in the third period and first points in the final quarter - yes the Dolphins had 10 days to prepare but it was nonetheless a massive egg produced by one of the NFL's top offences
Dolphins quarterback Tua passed for two scores but running back De'Von Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 combined yards and two touchdowns
Containing the league's best running game was also key, with Cook and teammates registering just 86 yards, their lowest of the year and just over fifty percent their 161.5 yard season average
Additionally there were the three crucial turnovers, and the pair from Allen specifically. An interception in the end zone resulting in a nine-minute drive produced nothing, and his final quarter fumble that Miami turned into seven points just two plays
It was typical 'previous Bills teams' as they hurt themselves in the foot, falling into a hole on defense and Allen attempting to do too much to dig his team out of it - rather than the calm, disciplined, well-balanced Buffalo team we've seen this year
The Dolphins have served up a varied performances this season so the jury's out on if this is the start of something, but for Buffalo they'll require an immediate bounce-back in a tough game against the Buccaneers next week as the New England are sneaking into a comfortable advantage at the top of the American Football Conference East
In Focus - Patriots Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed
Speaking of the New England, they're among three different 8-2 teams in the league, all AFC sides, but are they the top team?
One could pick holes in New England, Denver and the Colts actually for dominating the weaker opponents, with just five of their combined twenty-four victories coming against teams with a winning record - and one example was the Indianapolis beating the Broncos
The Broncos defeated the reigning champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the fourth-quarter while Indianapolis can rely on Taylor, but the New England adding Sunday's victory in Tampa Bay to their primtime success in Orchard Park seems like a declaration
Their two defeats came in recently appointed coach Vrabel's first three games, with seven consecutive wins, just like Denver, from that point - but taking down Baker Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a bye to prepare was huge
Drake Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials continue to be discussed, and he definitely deserves point for bravery after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa but persevering to steer his team to victory
The defensive unit is solid and rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson exploded on game day with 147 rushing yards and two exciting scores of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - establishing himself as just the fifth different runner to break 22mph this season on his first score
Although you can argue who 'the best' is statistically, the Pats should be favourites to finish with the best record due to their remaining opponents - which includes just a single matchup against a winning team, albeit 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 Los Angeles Chargers (who could also compete for first place but face the identical challenge) and additionally the Packers on the schedule
The Colts also play the Kansas City, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two matchups with the five and four Jaguars to contend with. There is a long way to go but the opportunity is open for a surprise top seed in the American Football Conference
Coming Up - Rams & Seahawks Prepare for Next Week Clash
Two teams with strong arguments to be superior to all of the three 8-2 teams are NFC West rivals the Seattle and Rams, who each put up 40 burgers to go to 7-2 ahead of next week's major game between the pair in Los Angeles
They've both secured four victories in a row, have signal callers in Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold performing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on Sunday) with top receivers, and defenses giving up under 20 points a contest
Both could easily be undefeated as too - especially the Rams as their pair of losses came in extra time against the 49ers and then that painful defeat in Philadelphia when they had a game-winning kick with the final play blocked and run back by the Eagles for a score
The Seahawks were also defeated to San Francisco, with a last-minute score in week one, before falling to the last kick of the contest against the Buccaneers - so they're genuinely two of the top teams in the NFL
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the best of the season so far
Top Performer - Taylor
Jonathan Taylor could be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Berlin - rushing for 244 yards, registering three scores and adding another forty-two {receiving yards