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 major surprise for the Buffalo Bills demonstrating the 'any given Sunday' mantra that draws so many people 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 edge over their 8-2 competitors
Meanwhile in the NFC the Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a monster clash in week 11, while our top performer is chasing records as well as the Most Valuable Player award
The Breakdown - Just a Bad Day for the Bills?
Was it just an emotional comedown from defeating Kansas City last week or something more? This remains the question for the Buffalo team to answer
The Buffalo squad had won seven in a row against the Dolphins but were second best from the start as the Miami team ran out 30-13 winners in an surprising outcome - and display
MVP Josh Allen only got the squad's initial first down in the third period and initial scoring in the final quarter - admittedly Miami had ten days to get ready but it was nonetheless a massive egg produced by one of the NFL's top offences
Dolphins quarterback Tua threw two scores but rusher Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 total yards and two touchdowns
Containing the NFL's top running game was crucial too, with James Cook and teammates registering just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the year and slightly more than fifty percent their 161.5-yard average
Then there were the three crucial ball losses, and the pair from Josh Allen in particular. An interception in the end zone resulting in a nine minute drive produced nothing, and his final quarter dropped ball that the Dolphins converted to seven points just later
It was typical 'previous Bills teams' as they shot themselves in the foot, getting into a deficit on defensive side and Josh Allen attempting to do too much to dig his team from the situation - not the composed, disciplined, well-balanced Buffalo team 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 beginning of a trend, but for Buffalo they'll need an instant response in a difficult matchup against the Buccaneers next week as the New England are sneaking into a nice lead at the top of the AFC East
Spotlight - Patriots See Path to Surprise Top Seed
Regarding the New England, they're among three different eight and two teams in the NFL, all American Football Conference sides, but could they be the top team?
You can find flaws in the Patriots, Denver and the Colts really for feasting on the lesser sides, with just five of their total 24 victories achieved against teams with a winning record - and one example was the Colts beating the Broncos
The Broncos beat the reigning champion Eagles in Philly and are masters of the final quarter while Indy can ride Jonathan Taylor, but the New England including Sunday's victory in Tampa Bay to their prime time win in Orchard Park seems like a declaration
Their two defeats came in new head coach Vrabel's first three games, with seven consecutive wins, just like Denver, since then - but defeating Baker Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a week off to get ready was huge
Drake Maye's MVP claims continue to be discussed, and he certainly deserves point for courage after taking some hard tackles in Tampa but hanging in there to steer his team to success
The defensive unit is solid and first-year running back TreVeyon Henderson exploded on game day with 147 rushing yards and two exhilerating scores of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - establishing himself as just the fifth ball carrier to break 22 miles per hour this season on his first score
While you can argue who 'the best' is statistically, the Pats should be favorites to finish with the top record due to their remaining opponents - which features just one game against a successful opponent, although a huge one against Buffalo
Traveling to the Ravens is challenging too, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West with the Kansas City to face two times, the Los Angeles Chargers (who could also compete for first place but face the identical challenge) and additionally the Packers on the schedule
The Colts also play the Chiefs, and have the Seahawks, San Francisco and two games with the 5-4 Jaguars to face. There is a long way to travel but the door is available for a shock number one position in the AFC
Coming Up - Rams & Seahawks Prepare for Next Week Showdown
Two teams with solid claims to be superior to all of the three different eight and two teams are NFC West opponents the Seattle and Los Angeles, who both put up 40 burgers to go to 7-2 ahead of next week's Hollywood blockbuster game between the two in Los Angeles
They've both won four in a row, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Darnold playing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on Sunday) with top receivers, and defenses 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 occurred in extra time against the San Francisco and then that painful defeat in Philly when they had a game-winning field goal with the final play blocked and run back by the Philadelphia for a touchdown
The Seahawks also lost to the 49ers, with a last-minute score in the opening week, before losing to the last kick of the game against the Buccaneers - so they are genuinely among the best sides in the NFL
The upcoming game 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 scores and contributing an additional 42 {receiving yards