Buffalo's Bay Day Opens Patriots Route to AFC East Lead - Best of Week 10 NFL Action
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The tenth week once more provided excitement, with a huge upset for the Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that draws so many fans into the NFL
This outcome could have created opportunities for the Patriots to move back into a leading position they formerly held, with a schedule that provides them an edge over their eight and two competitors
Meanwhile in the NFC the Seahawks and Rams had ideal outcomes to arrange a major confrontation next week, while our player of the week is chasing records as well as the Most Valuable Player award
The Breakdown - Simply an Off Day for the Bills?
Was it just an emotional letdown from defeating Kansas City last week or a deeper issue? This remains the question for the Buffalo team to address
The Buffalo squad had secured seven victories in a consecutive games against Miami but were second best from the start as the Miami team ran out 30-13 victors in an eye-opening outcome - and display
MVP Josh Allen only got the team's initial first down in the third quarter and first points in the final quarter - yes Miami had 10 days to get ready but it was still a massive egg laid by one of the NFL's best offenses
Dolphins quarterback Tua passed for two scores but running back De'Von Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 combined yards and two touchdowns
Bottling up the league's best running game was also key, with Cook and company registering just eighty-six yards, their fewest of the season and slightly more than half their 161.5-yard average
Additionally there were the three crucial turnovers, and the pair from Josh Allen specifically. An pass caught by defense in the scoring area resulting in a nine minute drive produced nothing, and his final quarter dropped ball that Miami turned into a touchdown just two plays
It was classic 'old Buffalo' as they shot themselves in the foot, getting into a hole on defense and Allen trying to do too much to dig his team from the situation - not the calm, disciplined, balanced Buffalo team we've witnessed this year
Miami have demonstrated a bit of everything this year so the jury's out on whether this is the start of a trend, but for the Bills they'll need an instant response in a difficult matchup against Tampa Bay next week as the New England are sneaking into a comfortable advantage at the summit of the American Football Conference East
Spotlight - Patriots Identify Route to Unexpected First Place
Regarding the Patriots, they're among three 8-2 squads in the league, all American Football Conference sides, but are they the best?
One could find flaws in the Patriots, the Broncos and the Colts really for dominating the lesser sides, with only five of their combined 24 wins coming against opponents with a positive record - and one of those was the Colts defeating the Denver
Denver beat the champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the final quarter while Indianapolis can ride Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots including Sunday's win in Tampa to their primtime success in Buffalo seems like a declaration
Their two defeats came in recently appointed coach Mike Vrabel's first three contests, with seven consecutive wins, similar to the Broncos, since then - but taking down Baker Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a week off to prepare was significant
Drake Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials won't go away, and he definitely earns credit for bravery after taking some hard tackles in Tampa but persevering to guide his team to victory
The defensive unit is reliable and rookie running back Henderson exploded on Sunday with 147 rushing yards and two exciting touchdowns of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - becoming just the fifth runner to exceed 22 miles per hour this year on his first score
Although you can argue who 'the top team' is statistically, the Patriots should be favorites to finish with the top record thanks to their schedule - which includes just a single matchup against a successful opponent, albeit a huge one against the Bills
Visiting the Ravens is challenging too, but the Broncos have it more difficult in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to face two times, the Los Angeles Chargers (who could also compete for top seed but face the same problem) and additionally the Green Bay on the fixture list
The Colts also play the Chiefs, and have the Seahawks, 49ers and two matchups with the five and four Jaguars to face. There's a long way to travel but the door is open for a surprise number one position in the American Football Conference
Next Week - Los Angeles and Seattle Prepare for Week 11 Clash
Two teams with strong arguments to be superior to all of the three eight and two teams are NFC West opponents the Seattle and Los Angeles, who each put up 40 burgers to reach 7-2 ahead of the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster game between the two in LA
Both have secured four victories in a consecutive games, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Sam Darnold performing at an high standard (although Darnold had ball security problems on Sunday) with top receivers, and defenses giving up under 20 points a game
Both could realistically be undefeated as too - especially the Rams as their two defeats came in overtime against the 49ers and then that painful defeat in Philadelphia when they had a game-winning kick with the last kick deflected and returned by the Philadelphia for a score
The Seahawks were also defeated to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in the opening week, before falling to the last kick of the game against the Buccaneers - so they're truly among the best sides in the league
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the most exciting of the year so far
Player of the Week - Taylor
Taylor might be on for a historic year after his incredible display in Berlin - running for 244 yards, scoring three touchdowns and contributing an additional 42 {receiving yards