Bills' Bay Day Opens Patriots Route to Top Spot - Best of Week 10 NFL Action
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Week 10 once more provided excitement, with a huge upset for the Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' saying that draws so many people into the NFL
That result may have opened things up for the New England Patriots to move back into a leading position they used to occupy, with a schedule that gives them an edge over their eight and two competitors
Over in the NFC the Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had ideal outcomes to arrange a monster clash in week 11, while our top performer is chasing records as well as the MVP award
The Breakdown - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?
Was it just an emotional letdown from beating the Chiefs the previous week or a deeper issue? This remains the question for the Bills to answer
The Bills had won seven in a row against the Dolphins but were second best from the beginning as the Dolphins emerged as 30-13 victors in an eye-opening result - and display
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only got the team's initial first down in the third quarter and initial scoring in the final quarter - admittedly the Dolphins had 10 days to prepare but it was nonetheless a massive egg laid by one of the league's top offences
Dolphins quarterback Tua passed for two touchdowns but running back Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 total yards and two touchdowns
Bottling up the NFL's top running game was also key, 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 critical turnovers, and the two from Allen in particular. An interception in the scoring area resulting in a nine minute possession produced nothing, and his final quarter fumble that the Dolphins converted to seven points just two plays
It was classic 'previous Bills teams' as they shot themselves in the foot, falling into a hole on defense and Allen trying to overcompensate to rescue his squad from the situation - rather than the calm, controlled, balanced Buffalo team we've seen this season
The Dolphins have demonstrated a bit of everything this season so the jury's out on if this is the beginning of something, but for the Bills they'll need an instant response in a tough game against the Buccaneers in week 11 as the Patriots are quietly moving into a nice lead at the summit of the AFC East
Spotlight - Patriots See Path to Unexpected First Place
Speaking of the Patriots, they're one of three eight and two teams in the league, all AFC sides, but are they the top team?
One could pick holes in New England, the Broncos and the Colts actually for dominating the weaker opponents, with only five of their total twenty-four wins coming against teams with a positive record - and one example was the Colts beating the Broncos
The Broncos defeated the champion Eagles in Philly and are masters of the final quarter while Indy can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots including Sunday's victory in Tampa Bay to their primtime success in Orchard Park seems like a declaration
Their pair of losses came in recently appointed coach Mike Vrabel's first three games, with seven consecutive victories, just like the Broncos, since then - but defeating Baker Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a bye to prepare was huge
Maye's MVP claims won't go away, and he certainly deserves point for courage after taking some hard tackles in Tampa but persevering to steer his side to victory
The defense is reliable and first-year rusher TreVeyon Henderson burst onto the scene on Sunday with 147 yards and two exciting scores of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - becoming just the fifth different runner to break 22 miles per hour this year on his initial touchdown
Although you can debate who 'the top team' is technically, the Patriots should be favorites to finish with the top record thanks to their remaining opponents - which includes just a single matchup against a successful opponent, although a significant contest against the Bills
Visiting the Ravens is also tough, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West with the Chiefs to face two times, the Chargers (who could also compete for top seed but face the identical challenge) and additionally the Packers on the fixture list
The Colts also face the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, San Francisco and two games with the five and four Jaguars to face. There is a long way to travel but the opportunity is open for a shock top seed in the AFC
Coming Up - Los Angeles and Seattle Prepare for Next Week Clash
Two teams with strong arguments to be superior to all of the three different 8-2 sides are National Football Conference West opponents the Seattle and Los Angeles, who both put up 40 burgers to go to 7-2 before the upcoming major game between the pair in Los Angeles
They've both won four in a consecutive games, have quarterbacks in Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold playing at an elite level (although Darnold had ball security problems on Sunday) with top receivers, and defensive units allowing under 20 points a game
Each could realistically be undefeated as too - particularly the Los Angeles as their pair of losses occurred in overtime against the 49ers and then that agonising loss in Philadelphia when they had a potentially winning kick with the final play deflected and run back by the Philadelphia for a touchdown
Seattle also lost to the 49ers, with a late touchdown in the opening week, before losing to the last kick of the contest against the Buccaneers - so they are genuinely two of the top teams in the NFL
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the best of the year so far
Top Performer - Taylor
Jonathan Taylor could be on for a historic year after his remarkable performance in Germany - rushing for 244 rushing yards, registering three touchdowns and contributing another forty-two {receiving yards