Buffalo's Bay Day Gives New England Path to AFC East Lead - Highlights of Week 10 NFL Action
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The tenth week again delivered, with a major surprise for the Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' saying that attracts so many fans into the National Football League
That result may have opened opportunities for the New England Patriots to move back into a leading position they formerly held, with a remaining games that gives them an advantage over their eight and two rivals
Meanwhile in the NFC the Seattle 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 MVP award
The Breakdown - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?
Was it just an emotional comedown from defeating Kansas City last week or something more? That's the question for the Buffalo team to address
The Buffalo squad had secured seven victories in a consecutive games against the Dolphins but were second best from the start as the Miami team emerged as 30-13 winners in an eye-opening result - and performance
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the team's opening first down in the third period and first points in the fourth - admittedly the Dolphins had ten days to get ready but it was nonetheless a significant failure laid by one of the NFL's top offences
Tua Tagovailoa threw two scores but running back De'Von Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 total yards and two scores
Bottling up the NFL's top running game was also key, with Cook and company recording just eighty-six yards, their fewest of the season and just over fifty percent their 161.5 yard average
Additionally there were the three crucial turnovers, and the pair from Allen specifically. An pass caught by defense in the scoring area resulting in a nine minute drive yielded no points, and his final quarter dropped ball that the Dolphins converted to a touchdown just later
It was typical 'old Buffalo' as they hurt themselves in the foot, falling into a deficit on defense and Allen trying to do too much to dig his team from the situation - rather than the calm, controlled, well-balanced Buffalo team we've witnessed this year
The Dolphins have served up a varied performances this season so the jury's out on if this is the beginning of a trend, but for Buffalo they'll require an instant response in a tough game against the Buccaneers next week as the Patriots are quietly moving into a comfortable advantage at the summit of the AFC East
In Focus - Patriots See Path to Surprise Top Seed
Speaking of the Patriots, they're one of three eight and two teams in the league, all AFC sides, but could they be the best?
One could find flaws in the Patriots, Denver and the Colts really for dominating the lesser sides, with just five of their total 24 wins coming against opponents with a positive record - and one example was the Indianapolis defeating the Denver
Denver beat the champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are masters of the fourth-quarter while Indianapolis can ride Taylor, but the New England adding Sunday's win in Tampa Bay to their primtime success in Buffalo appears to be a statement
Their pair of losses occurred in recently appointed coach Vrabel's first three contests, with seven straight victories, just like Denver, since then - but defeating Baker Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a week off to get ready was significant
Maye's MVP claims won't go away, and he certainly deserves credit for bravery after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa but hanging in there to guide his side to victory
The defensive unit is solid and first-year rusher Henderson burst onto the scene on game day with 147 yards and two exciting touchdowns of 55 and 69 yards - becoming just the fifth different ball carrier to break 22mph this season on his first score
Although you can debate who 'the best' is statistically, the Pats should be favorites to finish with the top record due to their remaining opponents - which includes just a single matchup against a successful opponent, although a huge one against Buffalo
Traveling to Baltimore is challenging too, but the Broncos have it more difficult in the AFC West with the Chiefs to face two times, the Chargers (who could also compete for top seed but face the same problem) and additionally the Green Bay on the schedule
The Indianapolis also play the Chiefs, and have the Seahawks, San Francisco and two games with the 5-4 Jacksonville to face. There is a considerable distance to go but the door is open for a shock top seed in the American Football Conference
Coming Up - Los Angeles and Seattle Prepare for Week 11 Showdown
Both squads with strong arguments to be superior to all of the three eight and two teams are National Football Conference West opponents the Seahawks and Los Angeles, who each scored forty points to go to 7-2 before the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster meeting between the pair in Los Angeles
They've both won four in a row, have signal callers in Stafford and Darnold playing at an elite level (although Darnold had ball security problems on game day) with excellent pass catchers, and defenses allowing fewer than twenty points a game
Each could realistically be undefeated as too - particularly the Los Angeles as their pair of losses came in extra time against the San Francisco and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a game-winning field goal with the final play deflected and run back by the Philadelphia for a touchdown
The Seahawks were also defeated to San Francisco, with a last-minute score in week one, before falling to the final play of the contest against the Tampa Bay - so they are truly two of the top teams in the NFL
The next matchup on Sunday could be the most exciting of the year so far
Player of the Week - Jonathan Taylor
Jonathan Taylor could be on for a record season after his incredible display in Berlin - running for 244 rushing yards, scoring three touchdowns and adding an additional forty-two {receiving yards