Bills' Bay Day Gives Patriots Path to Top Spot - Highlights of Week 10 NFL Action
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The tenth week once more provided excitement, with a huge upset for the Bills demonstrating the 'any given Sunday' saying that draws so many people into the National Football League
This outcome may have opened opportunities for the Patriots to creep back into a top spot they formerly held, with a schedule that gives them an edge over their 8-2 rivals
Over in the National Football Conference the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had perfect results to set up a major confrontation next week, while our player of the week is pursuing milestones as well as the Most Valuable Player award
The Breakdown - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?
Was it just an emotional letdown from defeating Kansas City the previous week or a deeper issue? This remains the question for the Buffalo team to address
The Buffalo squad had won seven in a row against the Dolphins but were outperformed from the start as the Dolphins ran out 30-13 winners in an eye-opening result - 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 ten days to prepare but it was still a significant failure produced by one of the league's best offenses
Dolphins quarterback Tua threw two touchdowns but rusher Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 total yards and two touchdowns
Containing the NFL's top running game was also key, with James Cook and company recording just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the season and just over half their 161.5 yard average
Additionally there were the three crucial ball losses, and the pair from Allen specifically. An interception in the scoring area meaning a nine minute drive produced nothing, and his final quarter dropped ball that Miami turned into seven points just two plays
It was typical 'old Buffalo' as they shot themselves in the foot, getting into a hole on defensive side and Allen attempting to overcompensate to dig his team out of it - rather than the calm, controlled, balanced Bills we've seen this year
The Dolphins have demonstrated a varied performances this year so the jury's out on if this is the beginning of a trend, but for the Bills they'll need an immediate bounce-back in a tough game against Tampa Bay next week as the New England 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 New England, they're one of three different eight and two teams in the league, all AFC sides, but are they the top team?
One could pick holes in New England, Denver and Indianapolis actually for feasting on the weaker opponents, with only five of their total 24 victories coming against teams with a positive record - and one example was the Indianapolis defeating the Broncos
The Broncos defeated the champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the fourth-quarter while Indianapolis can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the New England including Sunday's victory in Tampa Bay to their prime time success in Buffalo appears to be a statement
Their two defeats occurred in new head coach Vrabel's initial three contests, with seven consecutive wins, just like Denver, since then - but taking down 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 point for bravery after taking some savage hits in Tampa but persevering to steer his team to success
The defense is solid and first-year rusher TreVeyon Henderson exploded on game day with 147 rushing yards and two exhilerating scores of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - establishing himself as just the fifth ball carrier to break 22mph this year on his first score
While you can debate who 'the top team' is statistically, the Pats should be favourites to finish with the top record due to their schedule - which includes just a single matchup against a successful opponent, although a huge one against the Bills
Traveling to the Ravens is challenging too, but the Broncos have it even tougher in the AFC West with the Chiefs to face two times, the Chargers (who might also challenge for top seed but encounter the identical challenge) and also the Packers on the schedule
The Indianapolis also face the Kansas City, and have the Seahawks, San Francisco and two games with the 5-4 Jacksonville to face. There's a long way to travel but the door is available for a surprise top seed in the American Football Conference
Coming Up - Rams & Seahawks Set for Next Week Showdown
Both squads with solid claims to be superior to all of the three eight and two teams are NFC West rivals the Seattle and Rams, who both scored forty points to reach seven and two ahead of next week's Hollywood blockbuster game between the pair in LA
Both have secured four victories in a consecutive games, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Darnold playing at an elite level (although Darnold had ball security problems on game day) with top receivers, and defensive units giving up fewer than twenty points a game
Both could realistically be undefeated as well - particularly the Rams as their pair of losses came in overtime against the 49ers and then that agonising loss in Philadelphia when they had a game-winning kick with the last kick deflected and run back by the Philadelphia for a touchdown
The Seahawks were also defeated to the 49ers, with a last-minute score in the opening week, before falling to the final play of the contest against the Buccaneers - so they are truly two of the top teams in the NFL
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the best of the season to date
Top Performer - Taylor
Taylor could be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Berlin - rushing for 244 rushing yards, scoring three touchdowns and adding another forty-two {receiving yards