Buffalo's Disappointing Performance Gives New England Route to Top Spot - Best of NFL Week 10
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The tenth week once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' saying that draws so many people into the National Football League
This outcome may have opened things up for the Patriots to creep back into a top spot they formerly held, with a schedule that gives them an advantage over their 8-2 rivals
Meanwhile in the National Football Conference the Seattle Seahawks and Rams had perfect results to set up a major confrontation in week 11, while our player of the week is pursuing milestones as well as the Most Valuable Player award
Analysis - Simply an Off Day for the Bills?
Could it simply have been an emotional comedown from beating the Chiefs last week or a deeper issue? That's the question for the Bills to address
The Bills had secured seven victories in a consecutive games against Miami but were outperformed from the start as the Miami team ran out 30-13 winners in an eye-opening outcome - and performance
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the team's initial first down in the third period and first points in the fourth - admittedly Miami had ten days to prepare but it was nonetheless a significant failure laid by one of the NFL's best offenses
Dolphins quarterback Tua passed for two scores but rusher De'Von Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 total yards and two scores
Containing the NFL's top rushing attack was also key, with James Cook and company registering just 86 yards, their lowest of the year and slightly more than half their 161.5-yard average
Then there were the three crucial ball losses, and the pair from 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 the Dolphins converted to seven points just two plays
It was typical 'old Buffalo' as they shot themselves in the foot, getting into a deficit on defensive side and Allen trying to overcompensate to rescue his squad from the situation - not the calm, disciplined, balanced Bills we've seen this season
The Dolphins have served up a varied performances this season so the jury's out on if this is the start of a trend, but for the Bills they'll require an instant response in a tough game against Tampa Bay in week 11 as the New England are sneaking into a nice lead at the top of the American Football Conference East
In Focus - New England See Path to Unexpected First Place
Regarding the Patriots, they're one of three eight and two teams in the league, all American Football Conference sides, but are they the best?
One could find flaws in New England, Denver and Indianapolis actually for feasting on the lesser sides, with only five of their total twenty-four wins coming against teams with a positive record - and one of those was the Indianapolis defeating the Denver
The Broncos defeated the champion Eagles in Philly and are masters of the final quarter while Indy can ride Jonathan Taylor, but the New England including Sunday's win in Tampa Bay to their prime time success in Buffalo seems like a declaration
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 prepare was significant
Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials continue to be discussed, and he certainly earns point for bravery after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa Bay but persevering to steer his team to success
The defensive unit is reliable and rookie rusher TreVeyon Henderson burst onto the scene on game day with 147 yards and two exciting touchdowns of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - establishing himself as just the fifth different ball carrier to exceed 22 miles per hour 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 thanks to their remaining opponents - which features just one game against a successful opponent, albeit a huge one against the Bills
Traveling to the Ravens is challenging too, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West with the Chiefs to play twice, the Chargers (who might also compete for first place but face the same problem) and additionally the Green Bay on the fixture list
The Indianapolis also face the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two games with the 5-4 Jacksonville to contend with. There's a considerable distance to travel but the door is available for a surprise number one position in the AFC
Coming Up - Rams & Seahawks Prepare for Next Week Clash
Two teams with strong arguments to be superior to all of the three 8-2 sides are National Football Conference West rivals the Seahawks and Los Angeles, who each scored forty points to go to 7-2 before next week's Hollywood blockbuster meeting between the pair in LA
Both have secured four victories in a consecutive games, have signal callers in Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold playing at an high standard (although Darnold had ball security problems on Sunday) with excellent pass catchers, and defensive units allowing under 20 points a game
Each could easily be without a loss as too - especially the Rams as their two defeats occurred in extra time against the 49ers and then that painful defeat in Philadelphia when they had a game-winning kick with the final play blocked and run back by the Eagles for a touchdown
Seattle were also defeated to the 49ers, with a last-minute score in the opening week, before falling to the last kick of the contest against the Buccaneers - so they're truly 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
Taylor could be on for a historic year after his remarkable performance in Germany - rushing for 244 rushing yards, scoring three touchdowns and adding an additional 42 {receiving yards