Buffalo's Bay Day Opens New England Route to Top Spot - Best of NFL Week 10
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Week 10 once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' saying that attracts so many people into the National Football League
That result could have created opportunities for the Patriots to creep back into a leading position they formerly held, with a remaining games that gives them an advantage over their 8-2 competitors
Over in the NFC the Seahawks and Rams had perfect results 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
Analysis - Just a Bad Day for Buffalo?
Was it just an emotional letdown from beating the Chiefs the previous week or something more? That's the question for the Buffalo team to answer
The Buffalo squad had won seven in a row against Miami but were outperformed from the beginning as the Dolphins emerged as 30-13 winners in an eye-opening result - and display
MVP Josh Allen only got the squad's opening first down in the third quarter and first points in the final quarter - admittedly the Dolphins had ten days to get ready but it was nonetheless a massive egg laid by one of the league's top offences
Tua Tagovailoa passed for two touchdowns but rusher De'Von Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 total yards and two touchdowns
Containing the league's best rushing attack was crucial too, with Cook and company registering just 86 yards, their fewest of the season and just over half their 161.5 yard season average
Then there were the three critical turnovers, and the pair from Allen specifically. An interception in the end zone resulting in a nine-minute possession 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, getting into a deficit on defensive side and Josh Allen trying to do too much to dig his team out of it - not the composed, disciplined, well-balanced Buffalo team we've seen this year
The Dolphins have demonstrated a varied performances this season so the verdict is uncertain on whether this is the beginning of something, but for Buffalo they'll need an immediate bounce-back in a tough game against the Buccaneers next week as the New England are quietly moving into a nice lead at the summit of the AFC East
In Focus - New England Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed
Speaking of the New England, they're one of three 8-2 teams in the league, all AFC teams, but could they be the best?
You can find flaws in New England, the Broncos and the Colts really for dominating the lesser sides, with just five of their combined twenty-four victories achieved against teams with a winning record - and one example was the Indianapolis beating the Broncos
Denver beat the champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the fourth-quarter while Indy can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's victory in Tampa to their primtime success in Buffalo seems like a statement
Their two defeats occurred in new head coach Vrabel's first three contests, with seven straight wins, just like the Broncos, since then - but defeating Baker Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a bye to get ready was huge
Drake Maye's MVP claims continue to be discussed, and he certainly earns point for bravery after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa but hanging in there to steer his side to success
The defense is solid and first-year running back TreVeyon Henderson burst onto the scene on Sunday with 147 rushing yards and two exhilerating scores of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - establishing himself as just the fifth runner to exceed 22mph this year on his first score
While you can argue who 'the best' is technically, the Pats should be favourites to end 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
Visiting Baltimore is also tough, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Kansas City to play twice, the Los Angeles Chargers (who could also compete for first place but face the same problem) and also the Green Bay on the fixture list
The Indianapolis also play the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two matchups with the 5-4 Jacksonville to contend with. There is a long way to go but the opportunity is open for a surprise number one position in the AFC
Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Prepare for Next Week Clash
Both squads with strong arguments 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 7-2 ahead of the upcoming major meeting between the two in Los Angeles
Both have secured four victories in a row, have signal callers in Stafford and Sam Darnold performing at an high standard (although Sam Darnold had turnover issues on game day) with top receivers, and defensive units giving up fewer than twenty points a game
Each could easily be undefeated as well - especially the Los Angeles as their two defeats came in overtime against the San Francisco and then that painful defeat in Philadelphia when they had a game-winning kick with the last kick deflected and run back by the Philadelphia for a touchdown
Seattle were also defeated to the 49ers, with a late touchdown in week one, before falling to the final play of the game against the Tampa Bay - so they are truly among the top teams in the NFL
The next matchup on Sunday could be the best of the year to date
Top Performer - Jonathan Taylor
Taylor could be on for a record season after his incredible display in Germany - rushing for 244 yards, registering three touchdowns and contributing an additional 42 {receiving yards