Bills' Disappointing Performance Gives Patriots 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 Bills proving the 'any given Sunday' saying that draws so many fans into the NFL
This outcome could have created opportunities for the New England Patriots to creep back into a top spot they formerly held, with a schedule that provides them an advantage over their eight and two competitors
Over in the National Football Conference the Seattle 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 MVP award
Analysis - Just a Bad Day for Buffalo?
Could it simply have been an emotional letdown from beating the Chiefs last week or something more? That's the question for the Bills to answer
The Bills had won seven in a consecutive games against Miami but were second best from the beginning as the Dolphins emerged as 30-13 victors in an surprising outcome - and display
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the team'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 significant failure laid by one of the NFL's best offenses
Dolphins quarterback Tua threw two touchdowns but running back De'Von Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 combined yards and two touchdowns
Bottling up the NFL's top running game was also key, with James Cook and company registering just 86 yards, their fewest of the season and just over fifty percent their 161.5-yard average
Then there were the three crucial ball losses, and the pair from Allen specifically. An interception in the end zone meaning a nine-minute drive yielded no points, and his fourth-quarter fumble that the Dolphins turned into seven points just two plays
It was classic 'previous Bills teams' as they shot themselves in the foot, falling into a deficit on defense and Allen attempting to overcompensate to rescue his squad out of it - not the calm, disciplined, well-balanced Buffalo team we've seen this season
The Dolphins have demonstrated a varied performances this year so the jury's out on whether this is the start of a trend, but for Buffalo they'll require an instant response in a tough game against the Buccaneers in week 11 as the Patriots are quietly moving into a comfortable advantage at the summit of the AFC East
Spotlight - New England Identify Route to Unexpected First Place
Speaking of the Patriots, they're among three eight and two squads in the NFL, all AFC teams, but are they the best?
You can find flaws in New England, the Broncos and the Colts actually for dominating the weaker opponents, with only five of their combined twenty-four victories achieved against opponents with a positive record - and one example was the Indianapolis defeating the Broncos
Denver defeated the reigning champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the final quarter while Indianapolis can rely on Taylor, but the Patriots including Sunday's win in Tampa Bay to their prime time success in Buffalo seems like a statement
Their pair of losses occurred in new head coach Mike Vrabel's initial three games, with seven straight victories, just like the Broncos, from that point - but defeating Baker Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a bye to get ready was significant
Maye's MVP claims won't go away, and he certainly earns credit for courage after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa but persevering to steer his team to victory
The defense is solid and first-year running back Henderson exploded on Sunday with 147 yards and two exhilerating scores of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - establishing himself as just the fifth runner to exceed 22mph this season on his first score
Although you can argue who 'the best' is technically, the Pats should be favorites to end with the top record due to their schedule - which features just one game against a successful opponent, although a huge one against the Bills
Visiting the Ravens is challenging too, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West with the Chiefs to face two times, the Chargers (who could also challenge for top seed but encounter the same problem) and additionally the Green Bay on the fixture list
The Indianapolis also play the Kansas City, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two matchups with the five and four Jaguars to contend with. There's a long way to go but the opportunity is open for a surprise top seed in the AFC
Coming Up - Los Angeles and Seattle Prepare for Week 11 Showdown
Two teams with strong arguments to be better than all of the three eight and two teams are NFC West opponents the Seahawks and Rams, who each put up 40 burgers to go to seven and two ahead of next week's major game between the pair in Los Angeles
Both have won four in a consecutive games, have signal callers in Matthew Stafford and Darnold performing at an elite level (although Darnold had ball security problems on Sunday) with excellent pass catchers, and defensive units allowing under 20 points a game
Each could realistically be without a loss as well - especially the Los Angeles as their two defeats occurred in overtime against the San Francisco and then that painful defeat in Philadelphia when they had a game-winning field goal with the final play deflected and run back by the Philadelphia for a score
Seattle were also defeated to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in week one, before falling to the final play of the contest against the Buccaneers - so they're genuinely among the best sides in the NFL
The next matchup on Sunday could be the most exciting of the year to date
Top Performer - Taylor
Jonathan Taylor might be on for a historic year after his incredible display in Germany - rushing for 244 yards, scoring three touchdowns and contributing an additional 42 {receiving yards