Bills' Bay Day Gives New England Route to AFC East Lead - Best of Week 10 NFL Action
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Week 10 again delivered, with a major surprise for the Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that attracts so many people into the National Football League
That result may have opened opportunities for the New England Patriots to creep back into a leading position they used to occupy, with a remaining games that provides them an edge over their 8-2 rivals
Over in the National Football Conference the Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had perfect results to set up a monster clash in week 11, while our player of the week is pursuing milestones as well as the MVP award
Analysis - Simply an Off Day for the Bills?
Could it simply have been an emotional comedown from beating the Chiefs last week or something more? This remains the question for the Bills to answer
The Bills had secured seven victories in a consecutive games against Miami but were outperformed from the start as the Dolphins ran out 30-13 victors in an surprising result - and performance
MVP Josh Allen only got the squad's initial first down in the third quarter and first points in the final quarter - admittedly the Dolphins had 10 days to get ready but it was nonetheless a significant failure laid by one of the NFL's top offences
Tua Tagovailoa threw two scores but running back Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 combined yards and two touchdowns
Containing the league's best rushing attack was crucial too, with James Cook and company registering just eighty-six yards, their fewest of the year and just over half their 161.5 yard season average
Additionally there were the three crucial turnovers, and the two from Josh Allen specifically. An interception in the scoring area resulting in a nine minute drive produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter fumble that the Dolphins turned into a touchdown just two plays
It was typical 'previous Bills teams' as they hurt themselves in the foot, getting into a deficit on defense and Josh Allen trying to do too much to dig his team from the situation - not the composed, controlled, balanced Bills we've seen this year
Miami have demonstrated a bit of everything this year so the verdict is uncertain on if this is the start of something, but for the Bills 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 top of the AFC East
In Focus - New England See Path to Unexpected First Place
Regarding the New England, they're one of three different eight and two squads in the league, all American Football Conference sides, but are they the top team?
You can pick holes in New England, Denver and Indianapolis actually for feasting on the weaker opponents, with only five of their total twenty-four victories coming against opponents with a positive record - and one of those was the Colts beating the Broncos
The Broncos beat the reigning champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the final quarter while Indy can rely on Taylor, but the New England including Sunday's victory in Tampa to their primtime win in Orchard Park appears to be a statement
Their two defeats occurred in new head coach Mike Vrabel's initial three games, with seven consecutive wins, similar to the Broncos, from that point - but taking down Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to get ready was significant
Drake Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials won't go away, and he definitely earns credit for courage after taking some savage hits in Tampa but persevering to steer his side to success
The defense is reliable and rookie rusher TreVeyon Henderson burst onto the scene on Sunday with 147 yards and two exciting scores of 55 and 69 yards - becoming just the fifth runner to exceed 22mph this year on his first score
Although you can argue who 'the best' is technically, the Patriots should be favorites to end with the top record due to their schedule - which includes just a single matchup against a successful opponent, although a huge one against Buffalo
Visiting the Ravens is challenging too, but the Broncos have it even tougher in the AFC West with the Chiefs to play twice, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also challenge for first place but face the identical challenge) and additionally the Green Bay on the schedule
The Colts also play the Chiefs, and have the Seahawks, 49ers and two matchups with the five and four Jacksonville to face. There's a considerable distance to travel but the door is available for a shock number one position in the American Football Conference
Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Prepare for Next Week Clash
Two teams with solid claims to be superior to all of the three different eight and two sides are NFC West rivals the Seattle and Rams, who both scored 40 burgers to go to 7-2 before next week's major meeting between the pair in Los Angeles
They've both secured four victories in a row, have signal callers in Matthew Stafford and Darnold performing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had turnover issues on game day) with top receivers, and defenses giving up under 20 points a contest
Each could realistically be undefeated as well - particularly the Los Angeles as their two defeats occurred in extra time against the 49ers and then that agonising loss in Philadelphia when they had a potentially winning field goal with the last kick blocked and returned by the Philadelphia for a score
Seattle were also defeated to the 49ers, with a last-minute score in the opening week, before losing to the final play of the contest against the Tampa Bay - so they're genuinely among the top teams in the NFL
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the most exciting of the season to date
Player of the Week - Taylor
Taylor might be on for a record season after his incredible display in Berlin - rushing for 244 yards, scoring three touchdowns and contributing another 42 {receiving yards