Buffalo's Bay Day Gives New England Path to AFC East Lead - Highlights of Week 10 NFL Action
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Week 10 again delivered, with a huge upset for the Buffalo Bills proving 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 creep back into a top spot they formerly held, with a schedule that provides them an advantage over their eight and two rivals
Over 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 MVP award
The Breakdown - 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 Bills to answer
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 ran out 30-13 victors in an surprising outcome - and performance
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the team's opening first down in the third quarter and initial scoring in the fourth - yes Miami had ten days to get ready but it was still a significant failure produced by one of the league's top offences
Tua Tagovailoa threw two touchdowns but rusher Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 total yards and two scores
Containing the league's best rushing attack was crucial too, with James Cook and company registering just 86 yards, their lowest of the year and just over half their 161.5 yard average
Additionally there were the three critical turnovers, and the two from Josh Allen in particular. An interception in the end zone meaning a nine minute possession yielded no points, and his fourth-quarter fumble that Miami turned into a touchdown just two plays
It was typical 'previous Bills teams' as they hurt themselves in the foot, falling into a deficit on defensive side and Allen attempting to do too much to dig his team out of it - not the composed, controlled, balanced Buffalo team we've seen this season
The Dolphins have served up a varied performances this season so the verdict is uncertain on whether this is the start of something, but for the Bills they'll need an immediate bounce-back in a tough game against the Buccaneers in week 11 as the New England are quietly moving into a comfortable advantage at the top of the American Football Conference East
In Focus - Patriots Identify Route to Unexpected First Place
Regarding the New England, they're one of three 8-2 squads in the NFL, all American Football Conference teams, but are they the best?
You can pick holes in the Patriots, the Broncos and the Colts really for feasting on the weaker opponents, with just five of their total twenty-four victories coming against opponents with a winning record - and one of those was the Indianapolis beating the Broncos
The Broncos beat the champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the fourth-quarter while Indianapolis can rely on Taylor, but the New England including Sunday's win in Tampa to their prime time win in Orchard Park seems like a statement
Their pair of losses came in recently appointed coach Mike Vrabel's initial three games, with seven consecutive wins, just like Denver, since then - but defeating Baker Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a week off to prepare was huge
Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials won't go away, and he certainly earns point for courage after taking some savage hits in Tampa but hanging in there to guide his team to success
The defensive unit is solid and rookie rusher Henderson burst onto the scene on Sunday with 147 yards and two exhilerating touchdowns of 55 and 69 yards - establishing himself as just the fifth different runner to exceed 22mph this year on his initial touchdown
While you can debate who 'the best' is technically, the Pats should be favorites to end with the best record thanks to their schedule - which features just one game against a successful opponent, albeit a significant contest against the Bills
Visiting Baltimore is also tough, but Denver have it more difficult in the AFC West with the Chiefs to face two times, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also compete for first place but face the identical challenge) and also the Green Bay on the schedule
The Indianapolis also face the Kansas City, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two games with the 5-4 Jaguars to contend with. There's a considerable distance to go but the opportunity is open for a surprise number one position in the AFC
Coming Up - Los Angeles and Seattle Prepare for Week 11 Clash
Two teams with solid claims to be superior to all of the three different 8-2 sides are NFC West rivals the Seahawks and Rams, who each put up forty points to reach seven and two before next week's major meeting between the pair in LA
They've both secured four victories in a consecutive games, have signal callers in Matthew Stafford and Darnold playing at an high standard (although Sam Darnold had turnover issues on Sunday) with excellent pass catchers, and defensive units giving up fewer than twenty points a contest
Both could easily be without a loss as well - particularly the Rams as their pair of losses came in overtime against the San Francisco and then that agonising loss in Philadelphia when they had a game-winning field goal with the last kick blocked and run back by the Eagles for a touchdown
Seattle also lost to San Francisco, with a last-minute score in week one, before falling to the last kick of the contest against the Tampa Bay - so they're genuinely among the best sides in the NFL
The next matchup on Sunday could be the most exciting of the season to date
Top Performer - Taylor
Taylor could be on for a historic year after his remarkable performance in Germany - rushing for 244 yards, scoring three touchdowns and contributing an additional 42 {receiving yards