Buffalo's Bay Day Opens Patriots Route to AFC East Lead - Highlights of Week 10 NFL Action
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Week 10 again delivered, with a major surprise for the Bills proving the 'any given Sunday' saying that draws so many people into the NFL
That result may have opened things up for the Patriots to move back into a leading position they used to occupy, with a schedule that provides them an edge over their 8-2 rivals
Over in the National Football Conference the Seahawks and Rams had ideal outcomes to arrange a monster clash next week, while our top performer is chasing records as well as the Most Valuable Player award
Analysis - Just a Bad Day for Buffalo?
Was it just an emotional letdown 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 row against the Dolphins but were outperformed from the beginning as the Miami team emerged as 30-13 victors in an surprising result - and performance
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only got the team's initial first down in the third period and initial scoring in the fourth - yes the Dolphins had 10 days to prepare but it was nonetheless a massive egg produced by one of the league's top offences
Tua Tagovailoa passed for two scores but running back Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 total yards and two scores
Bottling up the NFL's top rushing attack was crucial too, with James Cook and teammates registering just 86 yards, their fewest of the season and just over fifty percent their 161.5 yard average
Then there were the three critical ball losses, and the pair from Josh 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 turned into a touchdown just later
It was classic 'old Buffalo' as they hurt themselves in the foot, falling into a deficit on defense and Allen trying to do too much to rescue his squad from the situation - not the composed, controlled, balanced Bills we've seen this year
The Dolphins have served up a varied performances this year so the verdict is uncertain on whether this is the start of a trend, but for Buffalo they'll need an instant response in a tough game against Tampa Bay next week as the New England are sneaking into a comfortable advantage at the summit of the American Football Conference East
Spotlight - Patriots Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed
Regarding the Patriots, they're among three 8-2 squads in the NFL, all American Football Conference sides, but could they be the best?
You can find flaws in the Patriots, Denver and the Colts really for dominating the lesser sides, with just five of their total 24 victories coming against teams with a positive record - and one of those was the Indianapolis defeating the Denver
The Broncos beat the reigning champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the final quarter while Indianapolis can rely on Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's win in Tampa Bay to their prime time win in Orchard Park seems like a statement
Their pair of losses came in recently appointed coach Vrabel's initial three games, with seven consecutive victories, similar to the Broncos, from that point - but taking down Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to prepare was huge
Drake Maye's MVP claims continue to be discussed, and he definitely earns credit for courage after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa but hanging in there to steer his team to victory
The defensive unit is reliable and rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson burst onto the scene on Sunday with 147 yards and two exciting 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 debate who 'the best' is technically, the Patriots should be favorites to end with the top record thanks to their schedule - which includes just a single matchup against a successful opponent, although a huge one against Buffalo
Visiting the Ravens is also tough, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to face two times, the Los Angeles Chargers (who could also compete for top seed but encounter the identical challenge) and additionally the Green Bay on the fixture list
The Indianapolis also play the Kansas City, and have the Seahawks, San Francisco and two matchups with the 5-4 Jacksonville to face. There is a long way to travel but the opportunity is open for a surprise number one position in the American Football Conference
Coming Up - Rams & Seahawks Prepare for Next Week Showdown
Both squads with solid claims to be better than all of the three different 8-2 teams are National Football Conference West rivals the Seattle and Los Angeles, who each put up forty points to reach seven and two ahead of next week's Hollywood blockbuster meeting between the two in LA
Both have secured four victories in a row, have signal callers in Matthew Stafford and Darnold playing at an high standard (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on game day) with excellent pass catchers, and defensive units giving up fewer than twenty points a game
Both could easily be without a loss as well - particularly the Los Angeles as their pair of losses came in extra time against the San Francisco and then that agonising loss in Philadelphia when they had a potentially winning kick with the final play blocked and returned by the Philadelphia for a score
The Seahawks also lost to the 49ers, with a last-minute score in the opening week, before falling to the last kick of the game against the Buccaneers - so they are genuinely two of the best sides in the league
The next matchup on Sunday could be the best of the season so far
Top Performer - Taylor
Jonathan Taylor could be on for a record season after his incredible display in Berlin - running for 244 yards, registering three scores and adding an additional forty-two {receiving yards